Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014

Background

Prior to the 2014 contest, Greece had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest thirty-four times since its first entry in 1974, winning it in 2005 with the song "My Number One" performed by Elena Paparizou, and having placed third three times: in 2001 with the song "Die for You" performed by the duo Antique; in 2004 with "Shake It" performed by Sakis Rouvas; and in 2008 with "Secret Combination" performed by Kalomoira. Following the introduction of semi-finals for the 2004 contest, Greece has had a top ten placing each year (except on 2012). Its least successful result was in 1998 when it placed twentieth with the song "Mia Krifi Evesthisia" by Thalassa, receiving only twelve points in total, all from Cyprus.

The Greek national broadcaster, Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT), was in charge of Greece's participation each year, including the selection process for its entry. Although its selection techniques have varied over the decades, the most common has been a national final in which various acts compete against each other with pre-selected songs, voted on by a jury, televoters, or both. In most cases, internal selections have been reserved for high-profile acts, with the song either being selected internally or with multiple songs—by one or multiple composers—performed by the artist during a televised final. One of the more unusual methods was a reality television talent competition format inspired by the Idol series that ran for many months in 2004, ultimately being scrapped. The notability of the participants has also varied, from previously unsigned acts to established music superstars. Since the 2010s, ERT has used national finals with generally less-established acts.

In August 2013, the Greek government shut down the radio and TV services of the state broadcaster ERT, leaving Greece's future contest participation in question. The event supervisor of the Contest said regarding Greece's participation: "EBU will do its best to have Greece on board, given the fact of the special occasion". It was also said that the Greek government has to form the new broadcaster, NERIT, so it would be eligible to participate. On 5 November 2013, NERIT confirmed the participation of the country.

Eurosong 2014 – a MAD show

Eurosong 2014 – a MAD show was the Greek national final, held to select the Greek entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2014.

Dimosia Tileorasi (DT – the interim broadcasting channel prior to the launch of NERIT) officially confirmed in February 2014 that it would collaborate with the private music channel MAD TV to take on the organization and production of a national final. On 11 February 2014, DT and MAD TV officially announced the four acts that would take part in a national final. All four acts were signed to the record label Panik Records or its imprint Platinum Records. The four competing acts were:

Promotional videos of the songs were officially presented during a public news programme on 5 March 2014.

Final

The national final took place on 11 March 2014 at the Acro Music Hall in Athens, hosted by Despina Vandi and Giorgos Kapoutzidis. The competing artists each performed their candidate song in addition to a commemorative series of performances from a number of guests that marked the 40th anniversary of the first Greek participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. The guests included Paschalis Arvanitidis, Marianna Toli, Robert Williams, Bessy Argyraki, Melisses, Elpida, Tamta, Sophia Vossou, Demy, Katy Garbi, Vegas, Kalomira and Claydee.

The winner was selected via 50% public televoting/SMS and 50% internal jury. The internal jury consisted of Dimitris Kontopoulos (composer), Elpida (singer), Themis Georgantas (television producer and radio host), Areti Kalesaki (DT public relations representative), Reggina Kouri (MAD TV public relations representative).

At Eurovision

During the semi-final allocation draw on 20 January 2014 at the Copenhagen City Hall, Greece was drawn to compete in the second half of the second semi-final on 8 May 2014. In the second semifinal, the producers of the show decided that Greece would perform 13th, following Switzerland and preceding Slovenia. Greece qualified from the second semi-final to compete in the final on 10 May 2014. During the winner's press conference for the second semi-final qualifiers, Greece was allocated to compete in the first half of the final. The result was the 20th place for the Greek delegation, which equalled their worst placing in the history of the country in the Contest.

Split voting results

The following five members comprise the Greek jury:

Semi-final 2

The Greek votes in the second semi-final were based on 50% jury voting and 50% televoting results.

Final

The Greek votes in the grand final were based on 50% jury voting and 50% televoting results.