OMSC 17

Online Music Song Contest 17, often referred to as OMSC 17, was the seventeenth edition of Online Music Song Contest, held in Geneva, after Switzerland won the previous edition of the contest.

The Pre-Qualification Round of OMSC 17 occured on the 15ᵗʰ August 2021, the Semi-Finals on the 22ⁿᵈ August 2021 while the Final occured on the 29ᵗʰ August August 2021. Fifty countries participated in the seventeenth contest, under the slogan “Coming Together!”.

Location
After it's victory in the previous edition, the broadcaster SRG SSR chose to host the contest in Geneva, the second-most populous city in Switzerland, the capital of the Republic and Canton of Geneva and the most populous city of the French-speaking part of Switzerland, with a population of 200,000 inhabitants. It is located at the south-western end of Lake Geneva, where the Rhône flows out. It is surrounded by three mountain chains, each belonging to the Jura: the Jura main range lies north-westward, the Vuache southward, and the Salève south-eastward.

Geneva was first mentioned in Latin texts, by Caesar, during the Roman Empire. In the Middle Ages, Geneva was ruled by a count under the Holy Roman Empire until the late 14ᵗʰ century, when it was granted a charter giving it a high degree of self-governance. Around this time, the House of Savoy came to at least nominally dominate the city. In the 15ᵗʰ century, an oligarchic republican government emerged with the creation of the Grand Council. In the first half of the 16ᵗʰ century, the Protestant Reformation reached the city, causing religious strife, during which Savoy rule was thrown off and Geneva allied itself with the Swiss Confederacy. In 1541, with Protestantism on the rise, John Calvin, the Protestant Reformer and proponent of Calvinism, became the spiritual leader of the city and established the Republic of Geneva.

By the 18ᵗʰ century, Geneva had come under the influence of Catholic France, which cultivated the city as its own. France tended to be at odds with the ordinary townsfolk, which inspired the failed Geneva Revolution of 1782, an attempt to win representation in the government for men of modest means. In 1798, revolutionary France under the Directory annexed Geneva. At the end of the Napoleonic Wars, on the 1ˢᵗ June 1814, Geneva was admitted to the Swiss Confederation. In 1907, the separation of Church and State was adopted. Geneva flourished in the 19ᵗʰ and 20ᵗʰ centuries, becoming the seat of many international organizations.

These days Geneva is a global city, a financial centre, and a worldwide centre for diplomacy due to the presence of numerous international organizations, including the headquarters of many agencies of the United Nations and the Red Cross. Geneva hosts the highest number of international organizations in the world. It is also where the Geneva Conventions were signed, which chiefly concern the treatment of wartime non-combatants and prisoners of war. Together with, for instance, New York City, Basel, and Strasbourg, Geneva is a city serving as the headquarters of one of the most important international organizations, without being the capital of a country.

In 2021, Geneva was ranked as the world's 9ᵗʰ most important financial centre for competitiveness by the Global Financial Centres Index, 5ᵗʰ in Europe behind London, Zürich, Frankfurt and Luxembourg. In 2019, Geneva was ranked among the ten most liveable cities in the world by Mercer together with Zürich and Basel. The city has been referred to as the world's most compact metropolis and the "Peace Capital". In 2019, Mercer ranked Geneva as the 13ᵗʰ most expensive city in the world. In a UBS ranking of global cities in 2018, Geneva was ranked 1ˢᵗ for gross earnings, 2ⁿᵈ most expensive, and 4ᵗʰ in purchasing power.

Participants
Fifty countries participated in the seventeenth edition of the contest: fifteen European countries (Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, Moldova, Norway, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine), fifteen Asian countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, China, Georgia, Hong Kong, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Laos, North Korea, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand), six American countries (Brazil, Canada, Chile, Puerto Rico, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, United States of America), eight Oceanian countries (American Samoa, Australia, Fiji, Guam, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Norfolk Island, Palau) and six African countries (Djibouti, Ivory Coast, Rwanda, South Africa, Togo, Zimbabwe).

In this edition Austria, Djibouti, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ivory Coast, Laos, Rwanda and Togo participated for the first time.

Returning Artists
This edition featured eight 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. She returned to the contest in the previous edition for Albania, together with Vize, achieving Albania's best result to date. This time she participated as soloist performing her song "Pay Me Back!", again in English, placing TBA with TBA points.

Au/Ra represented Antigua and Barbuda at its debut in the eleventh edition of the contest. She performed her song "I Miss U" together with Jax Jones, which placed 9ᵗʰ out of 38 participating countries with 107 points. In this occasion, she represented Germany, with the song "Panic Room", again in English, placing TBA with TBA points.

Minelli represented Romania at its debut in the third edition of the contest with her song "Mariola" sung both in English and Spanish, which placed 16ᵗʰ out of 27 participating countries with 37 points. In this occasion, she represented Romania again, with her song "RamPamPam", sung in English, placing TBA with TBA points.

Denise Rosenthal represented Chile at its debut in the ninth edition of the contest, together with Danna Paola and Lola Índigo, also returning this edition. She performed the song "Santería", sung in Spanish, which made it to the final and placed 19ᵗʰ out of 46 participating countries with 68 points. In this occasion, she represented Chile with Lola Índigo again, with the song "Demente", again in Spanish, placing TBA with TBA points.

Irina Rimes represented the Moldova at its debut in the fifth edition of the contest, with the song "Nu Știi Tu Să Fii Bărbat" which placed 8ᵗʰ out of 29 participating countries with 52 points. In this occasion she was selected to represent Moldova again, this time with Cris Cab and the song "Your Love", sung in English, placing TBA with TBA points.

Sirusho represented Armenia in the previous edition of the contest. She performed her song "Huh-Hah (Հուհ-Հահ)", sung both in Armenian and English, which placed 20ᵗʰ out of 50 participating countries with 66 points. In this occasion, she represented Armenia again, with the song "Let It Out", sung in English, placing TBA with TBA points.

Lola Índigo represented Chile at its debut in the ninth edition of the contest, together with Danna Paola and Denise Rosenthal, also returning this edition. She performed the song "Santería", sung in Spanish, which made it to the final and placed 19ᵗʰ out of 46 participating countries with 68 points. In this occasion, she represented Chile with Denise Rosenthal again, with the song "Demente", again in Spanish, placing TBA with TBA points.

Upsahl represented Palau at its debut in the fourth edition of the contest. She performed the song "Money On My Mind" together with Absofacto, which placed 26ᵗʰ out of 38 participating countries with 59 points without unfortunately qualifying for the final. In this occasion, she represented the Marshall Islands, with the song "Drugs", again in English, placing TBA with TBA points.

National Selections
Austria, Nauru and South Korea used a National Selection to determine the country's representative for OMSC 17.

Österreich Decides (OMSC 17)
Main article: Österreich Decides (OMSC 17)

Nauru's Choice (OMSC 17)
Main article: Nauru's Choice (OMSC 17)

Korean Star (OMSC 17)
Main article: Korean Star (OMSC 17)

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

• Algeria – Établissement Public de Télévision (EPTV) announced on the 8ᵗʰ August 2021 that Algeria will withdraw from the contest.

• Bahrain – Bahrain Radio and Television Corporation (BRTC) had provisionally announced their participation in the contest during the previous edition. However after the controversies due to the voting fraud, Bahrain has been banned for an indefinite period unless a broadcaster's executive manager change would happened. The executive supervisor agreed to suspend the membership of the Bahraini broadcaster Bahrain Radio and Television Corporation (BRTC). The broadcaster was given two weeks to respond before the suspension came into effect, but did not do so publicly. Therefore the broadcaster lost the rights to broadcast and participate in the Online Music Song Contest on the 1ˢᵗ August 2021.

• Bolivia – While Televisión Boliviana (TVB), had provisionally confirmed their participation in the contest, on the on the 1ˢᵗ August 2021, Bolivia announced its withdrawal from the contest on the 6ᵗʰ August 2021.

• Brunei – Radio Television Brunei (RTB) announced on the 2ⁿᵈ August 2021 that Brunei's participation in the seventeenth edition of the contest would not be possible.

• Burkina Faso – Radio Télévision du Burkina announced on the 8ᵗʰ August 2021, that Burkina Faso would withdraw from the contest for unknown reasons.

• 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 it 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.

• Syrian – 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
• British Indian Ocean Territories – On the 3ʳᵈ August 2021, rumours about a debut of the British Indian Ocean Territories in OMSC 17 arose. However, it was later confirmed that the country would not debut in this edition of the contest denying the rumours spread.

• Democratic Republic of the Congo – On the 1ˢᵗ August 2021, the broadcaster for the Democratic Republic of the Congo announced that they were planning a debut in OMSC 17. It was set to participate but withdrew before the competition without having chosen either song or singer.

• Scotland – On the 1ˢᵗ August 2021, the Scottish broadcaster British Broadcasting Corporation Alba (BBC ALBA) announced that they were planning a debut in OMSC 17. However, it was later confirmed on the following day that the country would not debut in this edition of the contest, without further explanation.