Greece Conducts First Semifinal for Eurovision Song Selection

Greece’s national selection process for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 moves forward this week as state broadcaster ERT screens the first semifinal on Wednesday evening. The Eurovision Greece semifinal will feature 14 competing acts vying for a chance to represent the country at the 70th edition of the international music competition in Vienna this May.

According to ERT, the broadcast begins at 9 p.m. local time and will showcase performances from Alexandra Sieti, The Astrolabe, Desi G, Akylas, Evangelia, Panagiotis Tsakalakos, Niya, Marseaux, Rossana Mailan, Stefi, Revery, Dinamiss, Stylianos and Spheyaa in their order of appearance. Viewers across Greece will have the opportunity to influence the outcome through public voting via text message.

Eurovision Greece Selection Format and Voting Details

The Greek public can participate in choosing their Eurovision representative by sending up to 10 text messages per viewer at a cost of €0.68 each. This televote system allows audiences to directly support their favorite artists and songs during the semifinal round. The voting mechanism reflects Eurovision’s traditional emphasis on public participation in the selection process.

Additionally, ERT has scheduled a second semifinal for Friday, extending the competition across multiple nights. The national final will take place on Sunday, where the ultimate winner will be crowned as Greece’s official entry for Vienna. This three-stage format provides multiple opportunities for artists to showcase their talent and for viewers to engage with the selection process.

Context for Greece’s Eurovision Journey

Greece has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest since 1974 and won the competition once in 2005 with Helena Paparizou’s “My Number One.” The country has produced numerous memorable entries over the decades and maintains a dedicated fanbase within the Eurovision community. However, recent years have seen mixed results for Greek entries at the international competition.

Meanwhile, the 2025 contest represents a milestone as the 70th edition of Eurovision, which will be held in Vienna from May 12-16. Austria’s capital previously hosted the contest in 2015 following Conchita Wurst’s victory the previous year. The return to Vienna marks a significant moment in Eurovision history as the competition celebrates seven decades of international musical cooperation.

Implications for Greek Music Industry

The national selection offers emerging and established Greek artists a platform to gain international exposure and launch their careers to new heights. Eurovision participation can significantly boost an artist’s profile both domestically and across Europe. In contrast to some countries that use internal selection processes, Greece’s public voting system ensures transparency and audience investment in the final choice.

The diverse lineup of 14 contestants in the first Eurovision Greece semifinal suggests a wide range of musical styles and artistic approaches competing for the national ticket. This variety allows ERT to test different genres and presentation styles before selecting the entry most likely to resonate with international juries and voters in May. The broadcaster has not confirmed specific details about the judging criteria or whether professional juries will complement the public vote.

Following Sunday’s national final, Greece will join other participating countries in preparing for the Vienna contest, which typically involves rehearsals, staging development, and promotional activities. The timeline between the domestic final and the May competition provides several months for the winning artist to refine their performance and build international momentum ahead of the Eurovision semifinals and grand final.