Austria’s 2018 Eurovision representative, Cesár Sampson, is set to up his involvement in Czechia’s national selection by hosting this year’s edition. 

Sampson has worked with Czech broadcaster Česká Televize as a music director to help select the artists and songs that will compete in ESCZ 2024 on December 4. 

Now the Austrian singer is lined up to partner Czech presenter Adam Mišík as a co-host of the show in front of a live audience for the first time. 

Kryštof Šámal, Czechia’s Head of Delegation, revealed the appointment in an exclusive interview with The Euro Trip. 

“This year we will probably have Cesár Sampson [hosting]. 

“It was very convenient to have him as part of our core team, plus [to] give him the opportunity to do the interviews and get to know the artists because he can give them advice.” 

Sampson has worked with the Czech delegation as an international advisor for the last few years after striking up a friendship with Šámal during Eurovision 2018 in Lisbon. 

“In the previous years he was helping us out of goodwill,” Šámal added. 

“This year we managed to officially hire César as part of our core team, at least for this initial phase of preparation. 

“It’s already been a huge, huge help.” 

Šámal conceded that his and the ESCZ team’s bias towards certain artists is unavoidable, so Sampson’s outsider status helps balance out any favouritism. 

“I became friends with a lot of artists in the last three or four years, so I like to have somebody who is not involved in the Czech scene to correct my bias. 

“We gave him huge power this year because we think the combination of our taste and bias, plus his outside perspective can make for a great selection this year.”  

Seven artists in contention? 

When ESCZ 2024 was announced on November 14, it was revealed that five artists had been selected and given the chance to represent Czechia in Malmö next year. 

But that number could grow to seven if negotiations with artists are completed in time. 

“We might have more than five,” Šámal said. 

“It was very hard to select just five songs. I think we can have a very strong national selection this year, so we are thinking about maybe having a little bit more. 

“We have most of them selected, but we still have one or two question marks for various reasons. 

“If everything goes as planned, I think we will have seven. But there is also a possibility that we have six or five because, with two artists, we are still in the process of negotiation.” 

Šámal is hoping an official announcement can be made next week. 

International vote confirmed

The winner of ESCZ 2023 was decided by a combination of an international public vote and a Czech vote, weighted 70% in favour of the international vote. 

Fans outside Czechia will once again have a say in who will represent the nation as the 70/30 voting split remains for ESCZ 2024. 

Šámal is aiming to have the voting window open at midnight on December 5 – just hours after the broadcast – and close on December 11. Just like the number of competing artists, this is something that will be confirmed next week.