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| Benidorm Fest | |
|---|---|
| Name | Benidorm Fest |
| Genre | Song contest |
| Country | Spain |
| Location | Benidorm |
| Broadcaster | RTVE |
| First | 2022 |
| Website | RTVE |
Benidorm Fest is a Spanish song competition organized to select Spain's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest. Conceived as a revival of the historic Benidorm International Song Festival and produced by Radiotelevisión Española (RTVE), the event combines jury adjudication with public televote and has influenced contemporary Spanish music and television programming. The festival has featured artists from across Spain and has involved personalities associated with Eurovision Song Contest, Los Premios Goya, and major Spanish record labels.
Benidorm Fest was launched in 2022 following discussions between RTVE and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to modernize Spain’s selection process after mixed results at the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 and Eurovision Song Contest 2022. The format was inspired by the legacy of the Benidorm International Song Festival (1959–2006) and referenced predecessors such as Operación Triunfo, Festival de la Canción de Eurovisión national finals, and the televised song competitions that featured artists like Julio Iglesias, Rocío Dúrcal, and Mocedades. Organizers secured the support of the Alicante Provincial Council and the Benidorm City Council to stage the event in Benidorm, leveraging venues associated with the Costa Blanca tourism industry. The first editions coincided with renewed interest in national selection shows in countries such as Sweden (with Melodifestivalen), Italy (with Sanremo Music Festival), and Portugal (with Festival da Canção).
Benidorm Fest consists of semifinals and a final, with entries submitted by record labels, managers, and independent artists, following regulations similar to those of the European Broadcasting Union. A professional jury panel—drawn from music industry figures, producers, and former Eurovision participants—evaluates performances alongside an international jury and a televoting public. Voting weightings have been comparable to systems used in Melodifestivalen, Sanremo Music Festival, and Festival da Canção selections, blending jury expertise with popular support. Song eligibility requires original recordings, copyright clearance, and compliance with EBU rules, echoing conditions enforced during the Eurovision Song Contest accreditation and scheduling periods. Staging rules address live orchestration, backing tracks, and choreography, reflecting standards adopted by entities like Live Nation and production teams experienced with Primetime television broadcasts.
Benidorm Fest’s presenters have included television personalities, actors, and musical figures drawn from Spanish media ecosystems such as La 1 (Spanish TV channel), Antena 3, and Telecinco. Hosts have previously worked with Spanish awards ceremonies like Los 40 Music Awards and film events such as Premios Goya, and have co-presented alongside commentators from the European Broadcasting Union and former Eurovision Song Contest commentators. Production teams have engaged directors and choreographers with credits on Operación Triunfo live galas, national tours, and concert productions for artists including Aitana, Rosalía, and Pablo Alborán.
Winners of Benidorm Fest have represented Spain at the Eurovision Song Contest, joining a roster that includes earlier Spanish entries like Massiel (1968) and Salomé (1969). Notable contestants have included established acts and breakthrough artists who later charted on lists such as the PROMUSICAE charts and performed at festivals like Primavera Sound and Mad Cool Festival. Successful entries leveraged production teams linked to producers who have worked with Max Martin-style pop architects and Spanish producers associated with artists like Rosalía and Enrique Iglesias. Some performances have featured collaborations with songwriters credited on international hits and session musicians who have toured with acts like Alejandro Sanz and Shakira.
Benidorm Fest is broadcast nationally on La 1 (Spanish TV channel) and streamed via the RTVE digital platform, attracting viewers in Spain and attention from international fans of Eurovision Song Contest. Coverage includes commentary from established broadcasters and cultural publications such as El País, ABC (newspaper), and El Mundo, along with music outlets like Los 40 and Cadena SER. Ratings trends have been compared to those of Operación Triunfo and late-night specials on Antena 3, while social media engagement spiked in parallel with discussions on Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram where clips trended among Eurovision fan channels and blogs hosted by organizations like WiwiBloggs and ESCXtra.
Benidorm Fest has faced critiques around jury composition, voting transparency, and selection procedures similar to controversies encountered by Melodifestivalen, Sanremo Music Festival, and national finals across Europe. Accusations have included perceived favoritism towards established labels and disputes involving broadcasting time allocation reminiscent of debates that affected Operación Triunfo and the historic Benidorm International Song Festival. Media outlets including El País and La Vanguardia have reported on public petitions and protests launched via platforms such as Change.org, while music industry unions and guilds have debated the festival’s impact on independent artists represented by organizations like the AIE (Sociedad de Artistas Intérpretes o Ejecutantes) and rights bodies similar to SGAE.
Benidorm Fest has reshaped Spain’s approach to Eurovision participation and influenced programming strategies at RTVE and regional broadcasters across Autonomous communities of Spain including the Valencian Community. It revived interest in the historic Benidorm International Song Festival brand and stimulated cultural tourism collaborations with the Alicante Provincial Council and hospitality stakeholders on the Costa Blanca. The festival's emphasis on staging and international jury engagement affected how Spanish record labels approach single releases and contest promotion, aligning practices with international festivals such as Eurovision Song Contest, Melodifestivalen, and Sanremo Music Festival. Academic and industry analyses have appeared in journals and outlets that examine media events, cultural policy, and music industry transformation observed in countries like Sweden, Italy, and Portugal.
Category:Music competitions in Spain