The American Song Contest

The American Song Contest 2022

American Song Contest

Genre	Music competition
Created by	European Broadcasting Union
Based on	Eurovision Song Contest
Country of origin	United States
Presented by Original language	Snoop Dogg, Kelly Clarkson English
Production
Executive producer	Ben Silverman, Howard T. Owens, Audrey Morrissey, Anders Lenhoff, Christer Björkman, Peter Settman, Ola Melzig, Gregory Lipstone, Snoop Dogg, Kelly Clarkson
Producers	Christer Björkman, Anders Lenhoff, Ola Melzig and Peter Settman
Production locations	NBC Universal Lot, Universal City, California
Running time	120 minutes
Production companies	Propagate Content Universal Television Alternative Studio
Release
Original network	NBC
Chronology
Related shows	Eurovision Song Contest
External links
Website

The American Song Contest is an upcoming American music reality competition television series based on the Eurovision Song Contest. It will see all 50 U.S. states, five territories, and Washington, D.C. compete for the title of Best Original Song. The contest is set to take place in the period between March 21 and May 9, 2022, and will air on NBC. The show will be hosted by Snoop Dogg and Kelly Clarkson.

Format. Variety reported in 2020 that the competition would feature professional musical artists such as solo singers, duos, or groups of up to six members from each of the 50 U.S. states. The format will put artists head-to-head against other representatives in a series of qualifier competitions, leading to the semi-finals and the primetime final in “March Madness” style.

Deadline Hollywood reported in 2021 that the format had been expanded to include all 50 U.S. states, all five populated U.S. territories, and Washington, D.C., the national capital and a federal district of the U.S. The participating territories are American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Each representative will perform an original song in a live television program broadcast across the country. Acts can consist of solo artists, duos, bands or a DJ.

The competition will involve five episodes of qualifying rounds, followed by two episodes of semi-finals and one final.^[7] In each qualifying round, a 56-member jury of music industry professionals (one for each state and territory) selects one song to advance to the semi-finals, while three songs will also advance after a three-day viewer voting. After the qualifying rounds, the jury will then select two “redemption songs” to join in the semi-finals, thus a total of 22 acts will remain in the competition. The same selection process will be facilitated in the semi-finals to determine the 10 acts that will compete in the final. The final results will be presented in Eurovision style, with each jury member awarding their 12 points then adding in the viewers’ points. The viewer votes will be weighted, with each state and territory be worth 12 points much like in Eurovision, thus giving all regions equal voting power while preventing populous states like California and Texas from dominating the voting process. The winning act will earn the title of Best Original Song.

Production.

Background. The Eurovision Song Contest is an international song competition organized annually by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) since 1956, which features participants representing primarily European countries. It ranks among the world’s most-watched non-sporting events every year, with hundreds of millions of viewers globally.

The earliest known telecast of Eurovision in the continental U.S. was in 1971. Two years earlier, the contest was telecast in Puerto Rico for the first time. The contest was broadcast in both countries in 2003 and 2004.

U.S. cable network Logo TV broadcast the finals from 2016 to 2018, featuring commentary from Carson Kressley and Michelle Collins (2016); Michelle Visage and Ross Mathews (2017); and Mathews and Shangela (2018). Viewing figures were low, ranging from 52,000 viewers in 2016 to 74,000 viewers in 2018. WJFD-FM, a commercial radio station in New Bedford, Massachusetts, broadcast the 2018 and 2019 finals with English and Portuguese commentary.

Netflix licensed the video-on-demand rights for the 2019 and 2020 contests. The OTT platform planned to release the musical comedy film Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga together with the 2020 contest. However, because of the contest’s cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the film was released a month later, on June 26. The film became the most-streamed content on Netflix in the U.S. on its first weekend. The Story of Fire Saga also introduced viewers to the Eurovision format and its popularity in Europe. A song from the film, “Husavik”, was nominated for Best Original Song at the 93rd Academy Awards.

There were plans to develop an US version of Eurovision as early as 2006, with Ben Silverman (then chairman of production company Reveille) developing the contest for NBC to challenge American Idol. Silverman (currently co-CEO and chairman of production company Propagate) admitted in 2020 that he had been trying to pursue this project for 20 years, including when he was chairman of NBC.

Development. Christer Björkman and Ola Melzig, known for their roles as producers of past Eurovision competitions, announced during a press conference in Tel Aviv, Israel, in 2019 that they have acquired the rights from the EBU to produce an adaptation of the format for the U.S. market. Björkman and Melzig would serve as producers along with Anders Lenhoff and Peter Settman. In a separate press statement, Silverman hoped that focusing on the mutual love and respect for music would unite a “fractional America.”

Settman revealed in an interview with Swedish publication Aftonbladet that “at least 10 big players” had shown interest in broadcasting the American Song Contest, including major television networks.

The European Broadcasting Union announced NBC had acquired the rights to broadcast the competition on May 14, 2021. NBC announced the American Song Contest would have a mid-season or summer premiere in 2022 after releasing their fall schedule for the upcoming 2021–22 network television season. Silverman will serve as executive producer for the program. Propagate Content and Universal Television Alternative Studio will serve as the production companies for the program.

“When America is more factionalized than ever and we are dealing with so many issues that divide us, the one (thing) that truly unites us is our culture. (The American Song Contest) can unite it by celebrating its diversity, its distinctions, and in pulling everyone around its love of music and its love of song.”, Ben Silverman, executive producer, speaking to NME.com

Björkman stated during an interview in The Euro Trip podcast that Las Vegas, Tampa, and Orlando were being considered as the first host city.

An online submissions platform was launched in May 2021, allowing eligible artists aged 16 years and older to apply, with or without recording or publishing deals. Participants must list all the states or territories with which they have “an authentic, deep connection” during the casting process, with the producers having the final say on which state or territory the artists will represent. The website stressed that submissions must be original songs in any genre and must not have been released commercially. Songs that were released promotionally, such as on SoundCloud and on social media, can be submitted—given that all posts must be deleted when selected. The producers teased the possibility of filming in Los Angeles or Atlanta between February and April 2022. Filming for the contest was confirmed to take place on the Universal Studios Lot in Universal City, California.

NBC originally scheduled the premiere for February 21, 2022, but the premiere was postponed in favor of America’s Got Talent: Extreme due to COVID-19-related concerns involving the Omicron variant. The first live show has since been rescheduled to March 21, while the finale will be on May 9, which is in the same week as the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.

Rapper Snoop Dogg and pop singer Kelly Clarkson were introduced as presenters of the show. In a statement, Clarkson said: “I have been a fan and love the concept of Eurovision and am thrilled to bring the musical phenomenon to America. I’m so excited to work with Snoop and can’t wait to see every state and territory represented by artists singing their own songs.” Clarkson added during a virtual press conference: “We are so unfortunately divided… and having so many things going on – it’s been a very hard couple of years and now it’s getting more serious. Feeling like you are not isolated and that you are a part of something bigger than your everyday world is so important. That’s what this show is going to do for people. Everyone is being represented. It’s a really great concept in general but one that is very needed right now.”

Deadline Hollywood reported that a corporation that centers around the competition has been founded, with former Propagate president Greg Lipstone appointed as President and Chief Operating Officer. The American Song Contest, Inc., aims to “develop and grow the Eurovision brand globally,” which includes creating auxiliary businesses around the reality series, as well as expanding the franchise to countries that are not covered by Eurovision.

Reception. The concept of producing an American version of Eurovision was met with lukewarm reactions. Andy Kryza of Time Out wrote that the American Song Contest’s biggest challenge is “the relative homogeneity of the American musical landscape,” that its pop stars need to be paired with colorful performers like drag queens, wrecking crews, clowns, gospel singers, and the like. Justin Kirkland of Esquire predicted that the contest will be “a colossal nightmare,” adding that Americans “lack the self-deprecation, campiness, and selfless energy to pull this off.”^[31] Chris Murphy of Vulture.com pointed out that the television landscape in the United States is saturated with singing and talent competitions, adding that “no one’s gonna write a song as catchy as Husavik.”

In an interview with BBC Breakfast in 2020, Cheryl Baker (member of the winning act in the 1981 Eurovision) stated that the competition will not translate well in the United States, adding that the country “has got a long way to go to get the kitsch, the cheese, and the fun element” of the contest. Baker also suggested that the U.S. should bring a representative to Eurovision instead. William Lee Adams of Wiwibloggs countered that “state identity” (such as in collegiate sports) and the diversity of regional music in the U.S. will play a key role in the competition. Adams also dismissed the notion that Americans take themselves too seriously, referring to camp events such as Miss America.

When asked about the possibility of competing in the American Song Contest, Flo Rida said that it would be “a dream come true.” The Florida-based rapper performed “Adrenalina” alongside San Marino’s representative Senhit at the Eurovision Song Contest 2021.

Participants. NBC revealed the 56 competing artists on March 3, 2022, through an interactive map. Atlantic Records will serve as the exclusive music partner of the American Song Contest, with the original songs in the competition to be released in batches beginning March 21 at midnight Eastern Standard Time (State/Territory – Artist – Song – Songwriters):

• • • • • • • • • •

• • • • •

Episodes (No., Title, Original air date, U.S. viewers (millions):

“The Qualifiers Premiere”. March 21, 2022.
“The Live Qualifiers Part 2”. March 28, 2022.
“The Live Qualifiers Part 3”. April 4, 2022.

Voting: (Please note that the official voting rules are subject to change at the sole discretion of NBCUniversal Media, LLC and Prospect Productions, LLC.)

There are three voting methods available to viewers: The NBC App Voting, Online Voting and TikTok Voting.

The voting methods are open to viewers located in the 50 United States, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, US Virgin Islands and Northern Mariana Islands (collectively ‘Geographic Area’) who are thirteen years of age or older.

Viewers may vote using the above voting methods in the following voting rounds:

Qualifiers voting: During the March 21, March 28, April 4, April 11, April 18 qualifiers voting windows, viewers can vote using The NBC App voting, Online voting and TikTok voting.
Semifinals voting: During the April 25 and May 2, 2022 semifinals voting windows, viewers can vote using THe NBC App voting, Online voting and TikTok voting.
Grand Final voting: During the May 9 Grand Final voting window, viewers can vote for Grand Final eligibile artists via The NBC App voting, online voting and TikTok voting.

Voting windows.

• Qualifiers voting window: Voting via The NBC App, online (via NBC.com/ASCVote) and TikTok will be available during and following performance shows in the Qualifier round airing March 21, March 28, April 4, April 11, April 18 (subject to change without notice). A ‘Qualifiers voting windows’ is a voting window as listed below (Time Zone/State or Territory – Qualifiers voting window (open day the performance episode airs in the ET time zone)):

Puerto Rico (Atlantic Time) – 9:00 pm at Mon – 8:00 am at weds
Eastern – 8:00 pm et mon – 7:00 am et weds
Central – 7:00 pm ct mon – 6:00 am ct weds
Mountain – 6:00 pm mt mon – 5:00 mt weds
Arizon (Pacific Time) – 6:00 pm mt mon – 5:00 am mt weds
Pacific – 5:00 pm pt mon – 4:00 am pt weds
Alaska – 4:00 pm akt mon – 3:00 am akt weds
Hawaii – 3:00 pm ht mon – 2:00 am ht weds
American Samoa – 2:00 pm st mon – 1:00 am st weds
US VIrgin Islands – 9:00 pm at mon – 8:00 am at weds
Northern Mariana Islands and Guam – 11:00 am cht tues – 10:00 pm thurs

Additional voting windows and/or methods of voting may be added as determined and announced by Producer and NBC in their sole discretion. All times for voting windows as indicated above are local to the time zone where the voter resides. If you attempt to vote through any method outside of the defined voting window, your vote will not count.

• Semifinals voting: Voting via The NBC App, online (via NBC.com/ASCVote) and TikTok will be available during and following performance shows in the Qualifier round airing April 25 and May 2 (subject to change without notice). A ‘Semifinals voting windows’ is a voting window as listed below (Time Zone/State or Territory – Semifinals voting window (open day the performance episode airs in the ET time zone)):

Puerto Rico (Atlantic Time) – 9:00 pm at Mon – 9:00 am at tues
Eastern – 8:00 pm et mon – 8:00 am et tues
Central – 7:00 pm ct mon – 6:00 am ct tues
Mountain – 6:00 pm mt mon – 5:00 mt tues
Arizon (Pacific Time) – 6:00 pm mt mon – 5:00 am mt tues
Pacific – 5:00 pm pt mon – 5:00 am pt tues
Alaska – 4:00 pm akt mon – 4:00 am akt tues
Hawaii – 3:00 pm ht mon – 3:00 am ht tues
American Samoa – 2:00 pm st mon – 2:00 am st tues
US VIrgin Islands – 9:00 pm at mon – 9:00 am at tues
Northern Mariana Islands and Guam – 11:00 am cht tues – 11:00 pm tues

• Grand Final voting: Voting via The NBC App, online (via NBC.com/ASCVote) and TikTok will be available during the Grand Final performance show airing May 9 (subject to change without notice). A ‘Qualifiers voting windows’ is a voting window as listed below (Time Zone/State or Territory – Finale voting window (opens and ends Monday, May 9, 2022 or Tuesday, May 10, 2022 depending on time zone)):

Puerto Rico (Atlantic Time) – 8:00 pm at Mon – approx 9:35 am at mon
Eastern – 8:00 pm et mon – approx 9:35 am et mon
Central – 7:00 pm ct mon – approx 8:35 am ct mon
Mountain – 6:00 pm mt mon – approx 7:35 mt mon
Arizon (Pacific Time) – 5:00 pm mt mon – approx 6:35 pm pt mon
Pacific – 5:00 pm pt mon – approx 6:35 pm pt mon
Alaska – 4:00 pm akt mon – approx 5:35 am akt mon
Hawaii – 2:00 pm ht mon – approx 3:35 am ht mon
American Samoa – 2:00 pm st mon – approx 3:35 pm st mon
US VIrgin Islands – 9:00 pm at mon – approx 10:35 pm at mon
Northern Mariana Islands and Guam – 11:00 am cht tues – approx 12:35 pm cht tues

Marketing: NBC News produced a report promoting the casting process of the American Song Contest, which was then distributed to its affiliate stations across the U.S. and its territories. It featured an interview with supervising casting producer Michelle McNulty, stating that they were “looking for the next big hit single, like those anthem songs… that just get in your head and can’t get them out.” Måneskin, the winning act of the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 from Italy, performed during the Top 10 episode of The Voice season 21, in which host Carson Daly promoted the American Song Contest as “the U.S. version of Eurovision.”

On December 15, 2021, NBC posted a promotional video for the American Song Contest on their Twitter account, stating that it’ll be “the biggest live music event America has ever seen”, with songs from all genres competing.

An advertisement that introduces rapper Snoop Dogg and pop singer Kelly Clarkson as the show’s presenters debuted before the Super Bowl LVI halftime show. In a statement, Clarkson said: “I have been a fan and love the concept of Eurovision and am thrilled to bring the musical phenomenon to America. I’m so excited to work with Snoop and can’t wait to see every state and territory represented by artists singing their own songs.” Clarkson previously performed “Arcade” by Dutch singer Duncan Laurence, the winning song from the Eurovision Song Contest 2019, at her talk show.

Radio stations affiliated with iHeartRadio have introduced sweepstakes in relation to the American Song Contest to listeners for a chance to win gift cards.

International broadcasting: The show is also set to be broadcast in multiple European countries, as well as in Canada:

Austria and Germany – ServusTV; Canada (Hamilton) – CHCH-DT^;Finland – Yle TV2; Greece – ERT; Iceland – RÚV; Norway – NRK; Portugal – RTP; Serbia – RTS; Slovenia – RTVSLO 2; Spain – RTVE Play; Sweden – SVT

Reception: The concept of producing a US version of Eurovision was initially met with lukewarm reactions. Andy Kryza of Time Out wrote that the American Song Contest’s biggest challenge is “the relative homogeneity of the American musical landscape,” that its pop stars need to be paired with colorful performers like drag queens, wrecking crews, clowns, gospel singers, and the like. Justin Kirkland of Esquire predicted that the contest will be “a colossal nightmare,” adding that Americans “lack the self-deprecation, campiness, and selfless energy to pull this off.” Chris Murphy of Vulture.com pointed out that the television landscape in the United States is saturated with singing and talent competitions, adding that “no one’s gonna write a song as catchy as ‘Husavik’.”

In an interview with BBC Breakfast in 2020, Cheryl Baker (member of the winning act in the 1981 Eurovision) opined that the competition will not translate well in the U.S., adding that the country “has got a long way to go to get the kitsch, the cheese, and the fun element” of the contest. Baker also suggested that the U.S. should bring a representative to Eurovision instead. William Lee Adams of Wiwibloggs countered that “state identity” (such as in collegiate sports) and the diversity of regional music in the U.S. will play a key role in the competition. Adams also dismissed the notion that Americans take themselves too seriously, referring to camp events such as Miss America.

When asked about the possibility of competing in the American Song Contest, Flo Rida explained that it would be “a dream come true.” The Florida-based rapper performed “Adrenalina” along with San Marino’s representative Senhit at the Eurovision Song Contest 2021.

Writing for The Guardian, Adam Gabbatt was excited about “the mouth-watering prospect of seeing how politically and culturally opposed states rate the musical output of their rivals.” Gabbatt explained how conservative viewers in Texas and liberal audiences in New York could express their mutual dislike for one another, or how voters might turn against Florida due to the anti-mask and vaccine-skeptic crusade of the state’s current governor. Fellow The Guardian columnist Stuart Heritage described the list of participants as “breathtakingly starry,” referring to artists who “already have their own Wikipedia page,” which he took as a sign that the producers are “taking this thing seriously.”.

American Song Contest 2022: Calendar

• March

18 – Qualifiers 1 Rehearsal Snippets Released
21 – Qualifiers Show 1
25 – Qualifiers 2 Rehearsal Snippets Released
28 – Qualifiers Show 2

• April

01 – Qualifiers 3 Rehearsal Snippets Released
04 – Qualifiers 3
08 – Qualifiers 4 Rehearsal Snippets Released
11 – Qualifiers 4
15 – Qualifiers 5 Rehearsal Snippets Released
18 – Qualifiers 5
25 – Semi-Final 1