Italy: Record labels get influence on the Sanremo Festival

The Italian broadcaster RAI has announced a change of plans in the selection method for the 68th edition of the Sanremo Festival. They are now looking for involvement from record labels, which can suggest their own artists to compete.

Italy’s participation in the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest is yet to be officially confirmed by the broadcaster, but the plans for the annual Sanremo Festival are already here. Singer-songwriter Claudio Baglioni will take over the role of host from Carlo Conti, who held the position from 2015 to 2017.

Should Italy indeed take part in the Eurovision Song Contest again – and we have no reason to believe they will not – the winner of Sanremo will have the first right to represent the nation in Portugal. Should the winner of the show in February 2018 decline, broadcaster RAI will pick another act from the final line-up to travel to Lisbon.