ESC fans clash over Stefan Raab's "top priority 2025": "Would-be experts"

HNA ESC fans clash over Stefan Raab's "top priority 2025": "Would-be experts" Jonas Erbas • 11 hours • 2 minutes reading time First "Eurovision" preliminary decision Even the first ESC preliminary decision with Stefan Raab is dividing opinions. The RTL broadcast did not appeal to all viewers. Cologne - It's still a while until the "Eurovision Song Contest 2025" (final on May 17, 2025 in Basel), but preparations are already in full swing in Germany. After recently having achieved mostly disappointing results, the ESC is once again a "top priority" this year. As is well known, this time the NDR is receiving support from RTL and Stefan Raab (58). Several shows are set to determine the German hope for Basel. Not everyone likes the German ESC preliminary round: “Chefsache” with Stefan Raab causes discussions This time, the German ESC preliminary round includes four shows: In the first two, twelve acts each present themselves, of which seven advance per show (on February 14th and 15th). The semi-finals follow on February 22nd (also on RTL), and Das Erste then finally shows the decision show on March 1st. But the first show already brings very different feedback. After the “Chefsache” opening, viewers on Facebook, Instagram and X are discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the show. Many are not at all happy that the artists did not bring their own songs, but rather covers dominated the evening: “It’s a song competition and not a singing competition. Maybe the songs of the eliminated candidates were worth their weight in gold?”, they say. Otherwise, the Raab show had few surprises or innovations. Which acts advanced in show one? Seven out of twelve acts make it to the next round in each “Chefsache” show. In the first edition, these are Julika, Benjamin Braatz, Cage, Feuerschwanz, Abor&Tynna, Cosby and Jonathan Henrich. Stefan Raab's “Chefsache ESC 2025” is being harshly criticized - and defended just as vehemently Other comments are equally critical: “Overall, no different or even better than usual. What the ‘Chefsache’ consists of still needs to be explained in more detail” or “It was nothing special, but the main thing is that Raab can think he's great,” is what is said on social media. Some are already doubting the chances of success: “It won't work like that again” or “Raab has finished telling the story,” some fans even believe. But there are also viewers who support the new format - and strongly disagree with such comments: “Did you see a different show tonight or just miss the preliminary rounds of the last few years? That was a huge improvement in almost every respect,” defends one fan, the “top priority,” while another even calls the critics “wannabe experts.” Again and again, we read how fans give each other their opinion – sometimes very clearly: While some label the preliminary decision as “pointless,” “terrible,” or “boring,” just as many see it the other way round: “This negativity, without reason after tonight, is simply the perfect summary of Germany at the moment.” By the way: From next year, NDR will no longer be responsible – SWR will take over the ESC instead. But is the broadcaster planning to use Raab? Sources used: instagram.com/rtl_de, facebook.com/RTLcom, x.com, rtl.de