Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest

Updated on Nov 15, 2023

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Member station SRG SSR First appearance 1956		Appearances 57 (48 finals) Best result 1st: 1956, 1988

National selection events National Final Die Grosse Entscheidungsshow 2011–present Concours Eurovision 1956–1957 1959–1961 1963–1970 1972–1993 1998 2000 2002 2004 Internal Selection 1958 1962 1971 1994 1996–1997 2005–2010 Worst result Last: 1964, 1967, 1974, 1998, 2004 SF, 2010 SF, 2011, 2015 SF, 2016 SF Nul points: 1964, 1967, 1998, 2004 SF

Switzerland has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 57 times since making its debut at the first contest in 1956, missing only four contests, in 1995, 1999, 2001 and 2003. Switzerland hosted the first contest in 1956, and won it themselves. Switzerland won the contest again in 1988.

Lys Assia won the very first contest in Lugano in 1956 with the song "Refrain". She returned to place second in 1958. Switzerland would go on to finish third in 1961 with Franca Di Rienzo and 1982 with Arlette Zola, and place second with Esther Ofarim in 1963 and Daniela Simons in 1986, before winning the contest for the second time in 1988 with Celine Dion and the song "Ne partez pas sans moi". In 1993, Annie Cotton gave the country its eighth top three result, when she placed third.

In the 21st century, Switzerland has only once reached the top ten, in 2005 with the girl band Vanilla Ninja finishing eighth. Since the introduction of the semi-final round in 2004, Switzerland has failed to qualify for the final nine times. At the 2014 contest, Sebalter gave the country its second best result of the century, finishing 13th.

Absences

Switzerland had been absent from Eurovision four times since their participation began in the first contest. These absences, in 1995, 1999, 2001 and 2003 were caused by poor results in previous contests that relegated Switzerland from the contest.

Contestants

Switzerland has four official languages, French, German, Italian, and Romansh. For decades, the song requirements stated that the song had to be performed in a national language, which gave Switzerland leeway as they could perform in any of the four languages. Out of their 55 appearances in the Contest, Switzerland has sent 52 songs, 24 of which were in French, 12 in German, nine in Italian, nine in English, and one in Romansh. Both of Switzerland's winning songs have been sung in French.

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NOTES:

a. ^ The full results for the first contest in 1956 are unknown, only the winner was announced. The official Eurovision site lists all the other songs as being placed second. b. If a country had won the previous year, they did not have to compete in the semi-finals the following year. In addition from 2004-2007, the top ten countries who were not members of the big four did not have to compete in the semi-finals the following year. If, for example, Germany and France placed inside the top ten, the countries who placed 11th and 12th were advanced to the following year's grand final along with the rest of the top ten countries.

Voting history

As of 2016, Switzerland's voting history is as follows:

Commentators and Spokespeople

Over the years Switzerland has broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest on three television stations, SRF (German language), RTS (French language) and RSI (Italian language).

Congratulations: 50 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest

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References

Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest Wikipedia

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