Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006

Eurosong '06 Logo

Eurosong '06 was the national final that selected Belgium's entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006. The competition consisted of four heats that took place on 8, 15, 22 and 29 January 2006, two semi-finals that took place on 5 and 12 February 2006, followed by a final on 19 February 2006 where the winning song and artist were selected. All seven shows took place at the VRT studios in Schelle, hosted by Bart Peeters and broadcast on Eén.

Four heats took place on 8, 15, 22 and 29 January 2006. From each heat, seven entries competed and three proceeded to the semi-finals. Out of the remaining non-qualifying acts from the heats, two wildcard acts were selected to proceed to the semi-finals. The semi-finals took place on 5 and 12 February 2006. From each semi-final, seven entries competed and three proceeded to the final. Out of the remaining non-qualifying acts from both semi-finals, a wildcard act was selected to proceed to the final. The results of the heats and semi-finals were determined by five voting groups: a four-member expert jury, a press jury, two radio juries in Radio 2 and Radio Donna, and public televoting. Each jury had an equal stake in the result and the public televote had a weighting equal to the votes of two juries. The final took place on 19 February 2006 where the winner was chosen. The results were determined by seven voting groups: the expert jury, a press jury, three international juries consisting of four music experts and four television viewers each, two radio juries in Radio 2 and Radio Donna, and public televoting. Each jury had an equal stake in the result and the public televote had a weighting equal to the votes of three juries.[2]

During each of the seven shows, the expert jury provided commentary and feedback to the artists and selected the wildcard acts to advance in the competition. These experts were:

• Yasmine – Belgian singer and television presenter
• Marcel Vanthilt – Belgian singer and television presenter
• André Vermeulen – Belgian commentator for the Eurovision Song Contest
• Johnny Logan – Irish singer-songwriter, winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 1980 and 1987

On 19 June 2005, VRT opened a submission period for artists and composers to submit their songs, with the deadline concluding on 28 September 2005.[3] 321 entries were submitted, and on 6 December 2005, the broadcaster announced the twenty-eight entries selected for the competition.[4] Among the selected artists were former Eurovision Song Contest participants Barbara Dex and Vanessa Chinitor.

The first heat took place on 8 January 2006. "P.O.W.E.R." performed by Brahim, "Dame amor, dame vida" performed by Jeason and "Watch Me Move" performed by Katerine proceeded to the semi-finals. "I'll Be There for You" performed by Sonny O'Brien was selected as one of the two jury wildcard acts to proceed to the semi-finals.

The second heat took place on 8 January 2006. "Not That Beautiful" performed by Afi, "Crazy" performed by Barbara Dex and "Push It" performed by Roxane proceeded to the semi-finals. "Als ik je morgen ergens tegenkom" performed by Els de Schepper was selected as one of the two jury wildcard acts to proceed to the semi-finals.

The third heat took place on 22 January 2006. "Je t'adore" performed by Kate Ryan, "Profile" performed by Kaye Styles and "Coward" performed by Peter Evrard proceeded to the semi-finals.

The fourth heat took place on 29 January 2006. "Wonderland" performed by La Sakhra, "El mundo bailando" performed by Belle Perez and "Not Right" performed by Eve Kempbel proceeded to the semi-finals.

The first semi-final took place on 5 February 2006. "Als ik je morgen ergens tegenkom" performed by Els de Schepper, "Profile" performed by Kaye Styles and "Je t'adore" performed by Kate Ryan proceeded to the final.

The second semi-final took place on 12 February 2006. "Wonderland" performed by La Sakhra, "El mundo bailando" performed by Belle Perez and "Crazy" performed by Barbara Dex proceeded to the final. "P.O.W.E.R." performed by Brahim was selected as the jury wildcard act to proceed to the final.

The final took place on 19 February 2006. Three international jury groups in Germany, Israel and Poland were selected to provide their votes based on a study conducted by two independent professors in statistics on the three best forecasters of the contest in recent years. "Je t'adore" performed by Kate Ryan was selected as the winner.

Detailed Jury Votes Draw Song Expert Jury Press Jury International Jury Total 1 "Crazy" 3 1 5 3 5 17 2 "P.O.W.E.R" 9 3 3 2 1 18 3 "El mundo bailando" 2 5 4 7 9 27 4 "Als ik je morgen ergens tegenkom" 1 4 2 4 3 14 5 "Wonderland" 7 9 7 5 2 30 6 "Profile" 4 2 1 1 4 12 7 "Je t'adore" 5 7 9 9 7 37

Detailed Radio Jury Votes Draw Song Radio 2 Radio Donna Total 1 "Crazy" 5 2 7 2 "P.O.W.E.R" 1 4 5 3 "El mundo bailando" 9 9 18 4 "Als ik je morgen ergens tegenkom" 2 1 3 5 "Wonderland" 4 7 11 6 "Profile" 3 3 6 7 "Je t'adore" 7 5 12

Flemish Minister of Culture Bert Anciaux gave a subsidy of 60,000 euros in order to promote Kate Ryan and her song in the other participating countries of the year's contest. The money was used to pay for a promotional tour throughout these countries. The subsidy itself has been harshly criticized in the Flemish press.