Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012

{{main|Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest}}

Prior to the 2012 contest, Austria has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest forty-four times since its first entry in {{Escyr|1957}}.{{cite web |title=Eurovision Song Contest 1957 |url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=274 |access-date=25 November 2014 |website=eurovision.tv |publisher=European Broadcasting Union}} The nation has won the contest on one occasion: in {{Escyr|1966}} with the song "{{lang|fr|Merci, Chérie|i=no}}" performed by Udo Jürgens.{{cite web |title=Eurovision Song Contest 1966 |url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=283 |access-date=25 November 2014 |website=eurovision.tv |publisher=European Broadcasting Union}}{{cite web |date=11 May 2014 |title=Austria wins Eurovision Song Contest |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-27358560 |access-date=25 November 2014 |website=bbc.co.uk/news |publisher=BBC}} Following the introduction of semi-finals for the {{Escyr|2004||2004 contest}}, Austria has featured in only two finals. Austria's least successful result has been last place, which they have achieved on seven occasions, most recently in {{Escyr|1991}}.{{cite web |title=Eurovision Song Contest 2012 Semi-Final (1) |url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=1573 |access-date=25 November 2014 |website=eurovision.tv |publisher=European Broadcasting Union}} Austria has also received nul points on three occasions; in {{Escyr|1962}}, {{Escyr|1988}} and 1991.{{cite web |title=History by Country – Austria |url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-country/country?country=10 |access-date=25 November 2014 |website=eurovision.tv |publisher=European Broadcasting Union}}

The Austrian national broadcaster, {{lang|de|Österreichischer Rundfunk|i=no}} (ORF), broadcasts the event within Austria and organises the selection process for the nation's entry. ORF confirmed their intentions to participate at the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest on 23 September 2011.{{cite web |last=Hondal |first=Victor |date=23 September 2011 |title=Austria: ORF stick to national selection format |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/17667 |access-date=3 November 2011 |work=EscToday.com}} From 2002 to 2005, ORF set up public national finals with several artists to choose both the song and performer to compete at Eurovision for Austria. For the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest, ORF held an internal selection to choose the artist and song to represent Austria at the contest. In 2011, the broadcaster returned to selecting the Austrian entry through a national final. Along with their participation confirmation, the broadcaster announced that the Austrian entry for the 2012 contest would be selected through a national final.

Österreich rockt den Song Contest (Austria rocks the Song Contest) was the national final that selected Austria's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2012. The competition took place on 24 February 2012 at the ORF Center in Vienna, hosted by Mirjam Weichselbraun and Robert Kratky with Andi Knoll hosting from the green room.{{Cite web |date=23 February 2012 |title="Österreich rockt den Song Contest" - morgen fällt die österreichische Vorentscheidung |url=https://www.ots.at/presseaussendung/OTS_20120223_OTS0152/oesterreich-rockt-den-song-contest-morgen-faellt-die-oesterreichische-vorentscheidung |access-date=20 March 2022 |website=ots.at |language=de}} The show was broadcast on ORF eins as well as streamed online via ORF's official website and the official Eurovision Song Contest website eurovision.tv.{{cite web |last=Hondal |first=Victor |date=30 October 2011 |title=Austria: National final in February |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/17761 |access-date=3 November 2011 |work=Esctoday.com}}{{Cite web |last=Hondal |first=Victor |date=24 February 2012 |title=Watch now: National final in Austria |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/18401 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226030124/http://www.esctoday.com:80/news/read/18401 |archive-date=26 February 2012 |access-date=20 February 2021 |website=Esctoday}} The first part of the national final was watched by 543,000 viewers in Austria with a market share of 20%, while the second part was watched by 709,000 viewers in Austria with a market share of 36%.{{Cite web |date=19 March 2022 |title=Bis zu 752.000 sahen "Österreich rockt den Song Contest" Trackshittaz fahren für Österreich nach Baku |url=https://www.ots.at/presseaussendung/OTS_20120225_OTS0015/bis-zu-752000-sahen-oesterreich-rockt-den-song-contest-trackshittaz-fahren-fuer-oesterreich-nach-baku |access-date=20 March 2022 |website=ots.at |language=de}}

Nine of the ten artists were nominated by the radio station Ö3, while a tenth act was chosen through a wildcard selection.{{Cite web |date=1 December 2011 |title=Der Ö3-Wecker rockt den Song Contest 2012 |url=http://oe3.orf.at/aktuell/stories/540564/ |access-date=20 March 2022 |website=oe3.orf.at |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120103111708/http://oe3.orf.at/aktuell/stories/540564/ |archive-date=3 January 2012 |url-status=dead}} For the wildcard selection, ORF invited all interested artists to submit their songs to the broadcaster between 1 December 2011 and 31 December 2011.{{Cite web |date=1 December 2011 |title=Austria: Meet nine candidates for Baku! |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/austria-meet-nine-candidates-for-baku |access-date=20 March 2022 |website=eurovision.tv}} The broadcaster received over 100 submissions at the close of the deadline, which were reviewed by the Ö3 team. The nine nominated artists were revealed on 1 December 2011 during the radio show Ö3-Wecker, aired on Ö3, while "How Can You Ask Me?" performed by Mary Broadcast Band was revealed on 9 January 2012 as the winner of the wildcard selection.{{cite web |last=Hondal |first=Victor |date=1 December 2011 |title=Austria: ORF reveals nine finalists |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/17897 |access-date=1 December 2011 |work=Esctoday.com}}{{cite web |last=Pozzi |first=Renee |date=9 January 2012 |title=Austria: Wildcard completes national final lineup! |url=http://www.escdaily.com/austria-wildcard-completes-national-final-lineup/ |access-date=9 January 2012 |work=Escdaily.com}} Vera Böhnisch had initially been selected for the competition, but she withdrew prior to the announcement of the nominated artists.{{Cite web |date=2011-12-01 |title=Song Contest: Alle 2012-Kandidaten |url=https://www.oe24.at/leute/tv/song-contest-alle-2012-kandidaten/48017770 |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=www.oe24.at |language=de}} The presentation of the songs took place on 10 January 2012 during Ö3-Wecker.{{Cite web |date=2017-05-09 |title=Exklusiv: Songcontest 2012: Vom Chanson bis zu Multikulti |url=https://www.kleinezeitung.at/kultur/3912291/Exklusiv_Songcontest-2012_Vom-Chanson-bis-zu-Multikulti |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=kleinezeitung.at |language=de}}

On 29 January 2012, ORF announced that "Crazy Swing" performed by !DelaDap had been disqualified from the national final as the song had been performed before 1 September 2011.{{cite web |last=Hondal |first=Victor |title=Austria: !DelaDap's song disqualified |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/18198 |access-date=29 January 2012 |work=ESCToday.com}} The band would remain in the competition but with the song "Don't Turn Around" instead.{{cite web |last=Jiandani |first=Sanjay |title=Austria: !Deladap get another chance! |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/18229 |access-date=3 February 2012 |work=ESCToday.com}}

The televised final took place on 24 February 2012. Ten songs competed in the first round where the top two were selected by a public vote to proceed to the second round. In the second round, public televoting again selected "Woki mit deim Popo" performed by Trackshittaz as the winner. Viewers were able to vote via telephone or SMS during both rounds.{{Cite web |last=Hondal |first=Victor |date=24 February 2012 |title=Austria sends Trackshittaz to Eurovision 2012 |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/18404 |access-date=20 March 2022 |website=Esctoday |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120228064420/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/18404 |archive-date=28 February 2012 |url-status=dead}} "Woki mit deim Popo" became Austria's first entry in the contest to be performed in Mühlviertlerisch, a Central Bavarian dialect spoken in Upper Austria.{{cite web |last=Brey |first=Marco |date=24 February 2012 |title=It's Trackshittaz for Austria! |url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=47313&_t=its_trackshittaz_for_austria |work=Eurovision.tv}}

Trackshittaz made several appearances across Europe to specifically promote "Woki mit deim Popo" as the Austrian Eurovision entry. On 21 April, Trackshittaz performed during the Eurovision in Concert event which was held at the Melkweg venue in Amsterdam, Netherlands and hosted by Ruth Jacott and Cornald Maas.{{Cite web |date=21 April 2012 |title=Vandaag Eurovision in Concert |url=https://www.songfestivalweblog.nl/2012/04/vandaag-eurovision-in-concert/ |access-date=18 December 2021 |website=songfestivalweblog.nl |language=nl}} On 29 April, Trackshittaz performed during the London Eurovision Party, which was held at the Shadow Lounge venue in London, United Kingdom and hosted by Nicki French and Paddy O'Connell.{{Cite web |date=30 April 2012 |title=Gallery: London Eurovision Party 2012 |url=https://eurovisionary.com/photo-album/gallery-london-eurovision-party-2012 |access-date=17 November 2021 |website=EuroVisionary}} In addition to their international appearances, a farewell party was held for Trackshittaz on 9 May before they travelled to Baku for the contest, which was hosted by Andi Knoll.{{Cite web |date=10 May 2012 |title=Song Contest: Trackshittaz-Abschied auf der Summerstage |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/escaustriaat/7170158730 |access-date=19 March 2022 |website=Flickr |language=de}}

According to Eurovision rules, all nations with the exceptions of the host country and the "Big Five" (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) are required to qualify from one of two semi-finals in order to compete for the final; the top ten countries from each semi-final progress to the final. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) split up the competing countries into six different pots based on voting patterns from previous contests, with countries with favourable voting histories put into the same pot. On 25 January 2012, a special allocation draw was held which placed each country into one of the two semi-finals, as well as which half of the show they would perform in. Austria was placed into the first semi-final, to be held on 22 May 2012, and was scheduled to perform in the second half of the show.{{cite web |last=Hondal |first=Victor |title=Insignia exchange and semifinal allocation draw. |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/18162 |work=EscToday.com}} The running order for the semi-finals was decided through another draw on 20 March 2012 and Austria was set to perform in position 16, following the entry from Hungary and before the entry from Moldova.{{cite web |title=Results of the 2012 Running Order draw revealed! |url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=49623&_t=results_of_the_2012_running_order_draw |access-date=20 March 2012 |publisher=Eurovision.tv}}

The two semi-finals and the final were broadcast in Austria on ORF eins with commentary by Andi Knoll. The Austrian spokesperson, who announced the Austrian votes during the final, was Kati Bellowitsch.

Trackshittaz took part in technical rehearsals on 14 and 18 May, followed by dress rehearsals on 21 and 22 May. This included the jury show on 21 May where the professional juries of each country watched and voted on the competing entries.

The Austrian performance featured the members of Trackshittaz performing with three female pole dancers around the five poles on stage. The performers were in LED costumes attached with lines of white and yellow lights, with a tunnel effect with alternate flashing stripes and spotlights appearing on the LED screens.{{Cite web |date=14 May 2022 |title=High energy and pole dancers for Austria! |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/high-energy-and-pole-dancers-for-austria |access-date=20 March 2022 |website=eurovision.tv}}{{Cite web |date=18 May 2022 |title=LED costumes for Austria |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/led-costumes-for-austria |access-date=20 March 2022 |website=eurovision.tv}} The three pole dancers that joined Trackshittaz were: Bianca Borghesi, Conny Aitzetmüller and Marie-Therese Leopoldsberger.{{Cite web |title=Austria |url=https://sixonstage.com/country/austria |access-date=20 March 2022 |website=Six on Stage}}

At the end of the show, Austria was not announced among the top 10 entries in the first semi-final and therefore failed to qualify to compete in the final. It was later revealed that Austria placed eighteenth (last) in the semi-final, receiving a total of 8 points.{{cite web |title=First Semi-Final of Baku 2012 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/baku-2012/first-semi-final |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501122804/https://eurovision.tv/event/baku-2012/first-semi-final |archive-date=1 May 2021 |access-date=1 May 2021 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union}}

Voting during the three shows consisted of 50 percent public televoting and 50 percent from a jury deliberation. The jury consisted of five music industry professionals who were citizens of the country they represent. This jury was asked to judge each contestant based on: vocal capacity; the stage performance; the song's composition and originality; and the overall impression by the act. In addition, no member of a national jury could be related in any way to any of the competing acts in such a way that they cannot vote impartially and independently.

Following the release of the full split voting by the EBU after the conclusion of the competition, it was revealed that Austria had placed seventeenth with both the public televote and the jury vote in the first semi-final. In the public vote, Austria scored 15 points, while with the jury vote, Austria scored 27 points.{{cite web |last=Siim |first=Jarmo |date=18 June 2012 |title=Eurovision 2012 split jury-televote results revealed |url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=eurovision_2012_split_jury-televote_results_revealed |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621115038/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=eurovision_2012_split_jury-televote_results_revealed |archive-date=21 June 2012 |access-date=1 May 2021 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union}}

Below is a breakdown of points awarded to Austria and awarded by Austria in the first semi-final and grand final of the contest. The nation awarded its 12 points to Albania in the semi-final and to Sweden in the final of the contest.

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest}}

{{Eurovision Song Contest 2012}}

2012

Category:Countries in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012

Eurovision