OMSC 16

Online Music Song Contest 16, often referred to as OMSC 16, was the sixteenth edition of Online Music Song Contest, held in Novi Sad, after Serbia won the previous edition of the contest.

The Pre-Qualification Round of OMSC 16 occured on the 18ᵗʰ July 2021, the Semi-Finals on the 25ᵗʰ July 2021 while the Final occured on the 1ˢᵗ August 2021. Fifty countries participated in the sixteenth contest, under the slogan “Celebrate Yourself!”.

Switzerland won the contest with the song "Crna Jutra", sung entirely in Serbian, receving a total of 125 points. Germany finished in second place, with China finishing in third place. They were followed by Denmark, which reached the fourth place and Croatia which reached the fifth place.

Location
After it's victory in the previous edition, the broadcaster RTS chose to host the contest in Novi Sad, the second largest city in Serbia and the capital of the autonomous province of Vojvodina, which has a population of 300,000 inhabitants. It is located in the southern portion of the Pannonian Plain on the border of the Bačka and Srem geographical regions. Lying on the banks of the Danube river, the city faces the northern slopes of Fruška Gora.

Human habitation in the territory of present-day Novi Sad has been traced as far back as the Stone Age. In antiquity, the region was inhabited by Celtic tribes, most notably the Scordisci. Celts were present in the area since the 4ᵗʰ century BC and founded the first fortress on the right bank of the Danube. Later, in the 1ˢᵗ century BC, the region was conquered by the Romans who built a larger fortress and included the region in the Roman province of Pannonia.

In the Middle Ages, the area was subsequently controlled by the Ostrogoths, Gepids, Avars, Franks, West Slavic groups, again by the Byzantines, and finally by the Hungarians. It became a part of the medieval Kingdom of Hungary between the 11ᵗʰ and 12ᵗʰ centuries. Hungarians began to settle in the area, which before that time was mostly populated by Slavs.

The Serbs of the area founded a new settlement in 1694 on the left bank of the Danube. For much of the 18ᵗʰ and 19ᵗʰ centuries, Novi Sad remained the largest city inhabited by Serbs. Due to its cultural and political influence, the city became known as the "Serbian Athens". During the Revolution of 1848–1849, Novi Sad was part of Serbian Vojvodina, a Serbian autonomous region within the Austrian Empire. Following the compromise of 1867, Novi Sad was located within the Kingdom of Hungary, the Transleithania, which comprised half of the new Austro-Hungarian Empire.

On the 25ᵗʰ November 1918, the Assembly of Serbs, Bunjevci and other Slavs of Vojvodina in Novi Sad proclaimed the union of the region of Vojvodina with the Kingdom of Serbia. From 1 December 1918, Novi Sad was part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes. In 1941, Yugoslavia was invaded and partitioned by the Axis powers, and its northern parts, including Novi Sad, were annexed by Hungary. Novi Sad became part of the new Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Since 1945, Novi Sad has been the capital of Vojvodina, a province of the Republic of Serbia.

The city went through rapid industrialization and its population more than doubled in the period between World War II and the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s. In 2003, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was transformed into the state union of Serbia and Montenegro. These two states separated in June 2006, leaving Novi Sad part of the Republic of Serbia. Novi Sad is the European Capital of Culture for the year 2021 and European Youth Capital 2019.

Participants
Fifty countries participated in the sixteenth edition of the contest: thirteen European countries (Albania, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, England, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland), fourteen Asian countries (Armenia, Bahrain, Brunei, China, Georgia, Lebanon, Macao, Malaysia, North Korea, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkmenistan), nine American countries (Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, United States of America), eight Oceanian countries (American Samoa, Christmas Island, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa) and seven African countries (Algeria, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Liberia, Senegal, Sudan, Zimbabwe).

In this edition Bahrain, Bolivia, Brunei, Christmas Island, Cyprus, Ecuador, England, Honduras, Liberia, Macao, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, Sri Lanka and Turkmenistan participated for the first time.

Returning Artists
This edition featured six representatives who had performed previously as lead vocalists for a country in the contest.

Ilira participated in OMSC 4 as part of the group Wier: she performed with other artists the song "Best Of Us", placing 3ʳᵈ out of 38 participating countries with 85 points. This time she participated together with Vize performing her song "Dynamite", again in English, placing 12ᵗʰ with 88 points and achieving Albania's best result to date.

Hawa Boussim represented Burkina Faso at its debut in the tenth edition of the contest. She performed her song "Koregore", sung entirely in Bissa, which placed 13ᵗʰ out of 46 participating countries with 69 points. In this occasion, she represented Burkina Faso again, with the song "Dolada", again in Bissa, placing 22ⁿᵈ with 58 points.

Sophie and the Giants represented the United Kingdom in the previous edition of the contest with her song "Right Now" sung in English, which placed 20ᵗʰ out of 50 participating countries with 47 points. In this occasion, she represented Italy, together with Michele Bravi, with the song "Falene", sung both in English and Italian, placing 17ᵗʰ with 68 points without unfortunately qualifying for the final.

Jannine Weigel represented Thailand in the ninth edition of the contest. She performed her song "Strangled Love", sung in English, which made it to the final and placed 10ᵗʰ out of 46 participating countries with 87 points. In this occasion, she represented Thailand again, with her song "Ghostbuster", again in English, placing 13ᵗʰ with 87 points without unfortunately qualifying for the final.

Mabel represented the Turks and Caicos Islands, together with Tiësto, at their only participation in the fourth edition of the contest, with the song "God Is A Dancer" which placed 14ᵗʰ out of 38 participating countries with 53 points. She returned to the contest in the following edition, for Bermuda's debut and only participation. She performed her song "Mad Love", which placed 4ᵗʰ out of 29 participating countries with 90 points. In this occasion she was selected one last time to represent Spain, this time with her song "Let Them Know", sung in English as well, placing 23ʳᵈ with 48 points.

Galxara represented Nicaragua at its debut in the twelfth edition of the contest. She performed her song "Jealous Of Myself", sung in English, which placed 5ᵗʰ out of 44 participating countries with 99 points. In this occasion, she represented Nicaragua again, with the song "Loving Nobody", again in English, placing 6ᵗʰ with 111 points!

National Selections
Canada and Lebanon used a National Selection to determine the country's representative for OMSC 16.

Canadian Choice (OMSC 16)
Main article: Canadian Choice (OMSC 16)

Lebanese Dansen (OMSC 16)
Main article: Lebanese Dansen (OMSC 16)

Withdrawing Countries
These countries confirmed their non-participation in the sixteenth edition of the contest:

• Åland Islands – Television Åland (TVÅ) announced on the 11ᵗʰ July 2021 that the country will withdraw from the contest.

• Australia – While Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) had provisionally confirmed their participation in the contest on the 5ᵗʰ July 2021, Australia did not appear on the list of participants published on the 11ᵗʰ July 2021.

• Bulgaria – Bulgaria's broadcaster announced on the 11ᵗʰ July 2021 its withdrawal from the contest for unknown reasons.

• Estonia – Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR) announced on the 11ᵗʰ July 2021 that Estonia's participation in the sixteenth edition of the contest would not be possible.

• Finland – Finnish Broadcasting Corporation (YLE) announced on the 11ᵗʰ July 2021 that its participation in the sixteenth edition of the contest would not be possible.

• Guam – Public Broadcasting Service Guam (PBS GUAM) announced the country's withdrawal on the 11ᵗʰ July 2021.

• Israel – Israel's broadcaster Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation (IPBC) announced on the 11ᵗʰ July 2021 its withdrawal from the contest for unknown reasons.

• Jamaica – Jamaica did not appear on the list of participants published on the 11ᵗʰ July 2021.

• Japan – Japanese broadcaster Nippon Hōsō Kyōkai (NHK) announced the country's withdrawal on the 11ᵗʰ July 2021, probably because of the poor results in the previous edition.

• Kazakhstan – Kazakhstan Radio and Television Corporation (RTRK) announced on the 7ᵗʰ July 2021, that Kazakhstan would not participate in the sixteenth edition, probably because of the poor results in the previous edition.

• Lithuania – Lietuvos Nacionalinis Radijas ir Televizija (LRT) announced on the 11ᵗʰ July 2021, that Lithuania would not participate in the sixteenth edition, probably because of the poor results in the previous edition.

• Luxembourg – Luxembourgish broadcaster Télé Lëtzebuerg (RTL) confirmed on the 11ᵗʰ July 2021 that Luxembourg would not take part in the sixteenth edition of the contest.

• Madagascar – Madagascar's broadcaster Télévision Malagasy (TVM) announced on the 11ᵗʰ July 2021 its withdrawal from the contest, for unknown reasons.

• Nauru – While Nauru Broadcasting Service (NBS) had provisionally confirmed their participation in the contest on the 10ᵗʰ July 2021, Nauru did not appear on the list of participants published on the following day.

• Netherlands – Dutch broadcaster Netherlands Public Broadcasting (NPO) announced on the 11ᵗʰ July 2021 its withdrawal from the contest, for unknown reasons.

• New Zealand - While Television New Zealand (TVNZ) had provisionally confirmed their participation in the contest on the 5ᵗʰ July 2021, New Zealand did not appear on the list of participants published on the 11ᵗʰ July 2021.

• Nigeria – Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) announced on the 11ᵗʰ July 2021 the country's withdrawal from the contest.

• Northern Mariana Islands - Northern Mariana Islands did not appear on the list of participants published on the 11ᵗʰ July 2021.

• Norway – Norsk Rikskringkasting (NRK) announced on the 11ᵗʰ July 2021, that Norway would withdraw from the contest, despite achieving good results in the previous editions.

• Peru – Televisión Perú (TNPE) announced on the 11ᵗʰ July 2021 its withdrawal from the contest, probably because of the poor results in the previous edition.

• Philippines – Filipino broadcaster People's Television Network (PTV) announced on the 11ᵗʰ July 2021 its withdrawal from the contest for unknown reasons.

• Puerto Rico – Corpración de Puerto Rico para la Difusión Pública (CPRDP) announced on the 11ᵗʰ July 2021 its withdrawal from the contest, due to financial difficulties.

• San Marino – San Marino's broadcaster (SMRTV) announced on the 11ᵗʰ July 2021, that San Marino would not participate in the sixteenth edition of the contest, probably after previous edition's disappointing placement.

• Singapore – Singapore did not appear on the list of participants published on the 11ᵗʰ July 2021.

• Slovakia – Rozhlas a Televízia Slovenska (RTVS) announced on the 11ᵗʰ July 2021 that Slovakia would not participate in the sixteenth edition of the contest.

• South Africa – South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) announced on the 11ᵗʰ July 2021 that South Africa would not participate in the sixteenth edition of the contest.

• Suriname – On the 6ᵗʰ July 2021 the former Head of Delegation confirmed that Suriname won't participate despite achieving 8ᵗʰ place in both participations. He said: "The Broadcaster is now focusing on other projects even though we did very good in our two participations" and stated that it was quite likely that the country would return to the contest in the upcoming editions.

• Syria – Syria's broadcaster (SATRBC) announced on the 11ᵗʰ July 2021, that Syria would not participate in the sixteenth edition of the contest, probably after previous edition's disappointing placement.

• Tanzania – Tanzania did not appear on the list of participants published on the 11ᵗʰ July 2021.

• Tonga – Tonga Broadcasting Commission (TBC) announced on the 11ᵗʰ July 2021 that Tonga would not participate in the sixteenth edition of the contest, for unknown reasons.

• Turkey – Türkiye Radyo ve Televizyon Kurumu (TRT) announced on the 11ᵗʰ July 2021, that Turkey would withdraw from the contest, without further explanation.

• Tuvalu – Tuvalu did not appear on the list of participants published on the 11ᵗʰ July 2021.

• United Kingdom - On the 4ᵗʰ July 2021, it was announced that a representative from an unknown British broadcaster would be attending a meeting for this edition. A few days later it was confirmed that the United Kingdom would not take part in the sixteenth edition of the contest. England, a country that is part of the United Kingdom, competed.

• Uzbekistan – Uzbek broadcaster O`zbekiston Milliy Teleradiokompaniyasi (MRTK) announced on the 11ᵗʰ July 2021 that Uzbekistan would not participate in the sixteenth edition of the contest.

• Vietnam – Đài Truyền Hình Việt Nam (VTV) announced the country's withdrawal on the 11ᵗʰ July 2021.

Other Countries
• Austria – On the 4ᵗʰ July 2021, the Austrian broadcaster Österreichischer Rundfunk (ORF) announced that they were planning a debut in OMSC 16. However, it was later confirmed on the following day that the country would not debut in this edition of the contest.

• El Salvador – On the 6ᵗʰ July 2021, the Salvadoran broadcaster Telecorporación Salvadoreña (TCS) announced that they were planning a debut in OMSC 16. However, it was later confirmed on the following day that the country would not debut in this edition of the contest due to bureaucratic issues.

Incidents
During the final of OMSC 16 a voting fraud has been reported. The responsible countries punished for the fraud are:

• Armenia – Hayastani Hanrayin Herrustaynkerut'yun (ARMTV)

• Bahrain – Bahrain Radio and Television Corporation (BRTC)

• Georgia – Georgian Public Broadcasting (GPB)

• Marshall Islands – Marshall Islands Broadcasting Company (MBC-TV)

• United States of America – American Broadcasting Company (ABC)

These countries have been punished because of the attribution of highest points among them and have consequently been banned for an indefinite period unless a broadcaster's executive manager change would have happened. The executive supervisor agreed to suspend the membership of these countries' broadcasters and to give them two weeks to respond before the suspension came into effect. Bahrain, was the only country who did not respond publicly. Therefore the broadcaster lost the rights to broadcast and participate in the Online Music Song Contest on the 1ˢᵗ August 2021.