OMSC 26

Online Music Song Contest 26, often referred to as OMSC 26, was the twenty-sixth edition of Online Music Song Contest, held in Serravalle, after San Marino won the previous edition of the contest.

The Pre-Qualification Round of OMSC 26 occured on the 24ᵗʰ April 2022, the Semi-Finals on the 1ˢᵗ May 2022 while the Final occured on the 8ᵗʰ May 2022. Fifty-five countries participated in the twenty-sixth contest, under the slogan “Keep On Rising!”.

Finland won the contest with the song "666", sung entirely in Finnish, receving a total of 177 points. The Åland Islands finished in second place with a margin of thirty-seven points from the winner, while the United States of America finished in third place. They were followed by Puerto Rico, which reached the fourth place and Norway which reached the fifth place.

Location
After it's victory in the previous edition, the broadcaster SMRTV chose to host the contest in the largest castello of San Marino, Serravalle. It is the most populated town in San Marino with a population of over 10,000 inhabitants, but it also contains its largest settlement. Serravalle is located on the edge of the Apennine Mountains. The town borders on Sammarinese municipalities of Domagnano and Borgo Maggiore and the Italian municipalities Verucchio, Rimini and Coriano. Serravalle counts a surrounding quarter named Galazzano, where the weather station and an industrial area are located. Serravalle has San Marino's northernmost and lowest elevated points. The outer edge of Serravalle is about 10 kilometers from downtown Rimini and the Adriatic Sea.

The first mention of the place was in 962, when it was mentioned in the diploma of King Ottone. Over the centuries, it was the scene of clashes and rapprochements, until it became part of the Republic of San Marino. A flourishing period, which allowed Serravalle to become one of the most important, large and densely populated castles. In medieval times this town was called Castrum Olnani (later Olnano), the village of the elm trees. Serravalle was a domain of the Malatesta of Rimini and it attached to San Marino in 1463, during the last territorial expansion of the Republic. Cesare Borgia controlled it for a short period in 1503. The origin of the name Serravalle is to be attributed to the geographical position of the territory, which is enormously strategic. It means "that closes the valley" in reference to its geographical position that closes the last hills of the Ausa valley before the Romagna plain.

Nowadays Serravalle includes the parishes (curazie) of Cà Ragni, Cinque Vie, Dogana, Falciano, Lesignano, Ponte Mellini, Rovereta and Valgiurata. Particularly suggestive is the historic center, carefully restored on what was the ancient Malatesta fortress, even if very little remains of the original walls and buildings. The tall quadrangular tower, or Torre del Mastio, now used as a bell tower, still retains traces of the ancient structure. The narrow streets and walls, faithful to the ancient medieval architecture, create an undoubtedly peculiar urban dimension. Other interesting sites are the Malatesta castle, symbol of Serravalle and the Maranello Rosso Collection with Ferrari and Abarth. In addition, the Olympic Stadium is home to the Sports and Olympics Museum.

Participants
Fifty-five countries participated in the twenty-sixth edition of the contest: fifteen European countries (Åland Islands, Belarus, Bulgaria, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Moldova, Norway, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Sweden, Ukraine, United Kingdom), fifteen Asian countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, British Indian Ocean Territories, China, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mongolia, North Korea, Philippines, South Korea, Yemen), fifteen American countries (Anguilla, Argentina, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Colombia, Guatemala, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Sint Maarten, United States of America, United States’ Virgin Islands), seven Oceanian countries (American Samoa, Australia, Guam, Micronesia, New Zealand, Palau, Wallis and Futuna) and three African countries (Lesotho, Nigeria, South Sudan).

In this edition Lesotho, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, South Sudan, Wallis and Futuna and Yemen participated for the first time.

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

Lola Marsh represented Israel at its fourth appearence in the tenth edition of the contest with their song "Only For A Moment", which placed 23ʳᵈ out of 46 participating countries with 43 points. They returned to the contest three editions later, again for Israel, with their song "Echoes", which placed 2ⁿᵈ out of 42 participating countries with 118 points, achieving Israel's best result to date. In this occasion the duo was selected to represent Israel one last time, with their song "Hold On", placing 6ᵗʰ out of 55 participating countries with 107 points.

Cupcakke represented Nauru at its last appearence in the contest, in the seventeenth edition. She performed her song "LGBT" with which she placed 3ʳᵈ out of 50 participating countries with 136 points, achieving the island's best result to date. In this occasion she was selected to represent the United States’ Virgin Islands. This time she performed, together with the Swedish rapper Cobrah, the song "Good Puss", placing 52ⁿᵈ with 133 points.

David Guetta represented Tuvalu, together with Galantis and Little Mix, at its only participation in the fifteenth edition of the contest. The performed song was "Heartbreak Anthem" which placed 40ᵗʰ out of 50 participating countries with 48 points, in the semi-final. In this occasion he was selected to represent Anguilla, together with the British singer Becky Hill, also returning this edition. He performed the song "Remember" which placed last out of 55 participanting countries with 61 points, in the pre-qualification round.

Carla’s Dreams represented Moldova in the twelfth edition of the contest, after winning the national selection "Moldova's Choice". The group performed the song "Beretta", sung entirely in Romanian, which unfortunately didn't make it to the final, placing 30ᵗʰ out of 44 participating countries with 71 points. In this occasion they were selected to represent Moldova again, together with Emaa. The chosen song was "N-Aud" and was sung again in Romanian. It placed 18ᵗʰ out of 55 participanting countries with 74 points.

Florence and the Machine represented Gibraltar at its debut in the ninth edition of the contest with their song "No Light, No Light". It was performed in English and despite placing last in the final with 37 points, it remains one of the most rememberable entries in the history of the contest. In this occasion the group was selected to represent the British Virgin Islands with the song "Queen Of Peace" which placed 12ᵗʰ out of 55 participants with 86 points.

Antonia represented Palau at its third appearence, in the eighteenth edition of the contest, in Oslo. She performed her song "I Think I Love Him", sung in English, which unfortunately didn't make it to the final placing 31ˢᵗ out of 50 participating countries with 78 points. In this occasion she represented Palau again, with her song "Touch Me", placing 34ᵗʰ with 77 points, without unfortunately qualifying for the final.

Pabllo Vittar represented Brazil, together with Pocah, at its twelfth appearence in the seventeenth edition of the contest. He performed the song "Bandida" sung entirely in Portuguese, which placed 20ᵗʰ out of 50 participating countries with 62 points. In this occasion he represented Japan, together with the Japanese-British artist Rina Sawayama, also returning this edition. The competing song was "Follow Me", sung in English, placing 41ˢᵗ with 58 points.

Evgenya Redko represented Lithuania in the special twentieth edition of the contest with her song "Vandenyne". It was sung entirely in Lithuanian and placed 4ᵗʰ out of 50 participating countries with 122 points, scoring Lithuania's best result to date. In this occasion she was selected to represent Lithuania again, this time with her song "Deivės", sung in Lithuanian again, placing 38ᵗʰ with 63 points, without unfortunately qualifying for the final.

Claudia Valentina represented the United Kingdom twelve editions ago, in OMSC 14. She competed with her song "4:15" which placed 3ʳᵈ out of 43 participating countries with 115 points. In this occasion she represented the British Indian Ocean Territories, with her song "Extra Agenda", again in English. It placed 54ᵗʰ with 109 points, without qualifying for the semi-finals.

Becky Hill represented Fiji in the sixteenth edition of the contest with her song "Last Time" which placed 46ᵗʰ out of 50 participating countries with 118 points, in the pre-qualification round. In this occasion she was selected to represent Anguilla, together with David Guetta, also returning this edition. She performed the song "Remember" which placed last out of 55 participanting countries with 61 points, in the pre-qualification round.

Rina Sawayama represented Japan at its third appearence in the fifth edition of the contest with her song "XS", sung in English, which placed 28ᵗʰ out of 29 participating countries with 42 points, without unfortunately qualifying for the final. She returned to the contest for Japan in the seventeenth edition. She performed her song "Dynasty", which placed 28ᵗʰ out of 50 participating countries with 83 points, again without qualifying for the final. In this occasion she was selected to represent Japan one last time, this time not as soloist. She competed together with the Brazilian singer and dancer Pabllo Vittar, also returning this edition. The performed song was "Follow Me", placing 41ˢᵗ out of 55 participating countries with 58 points.

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

• Canary Islands – When submission period started, Televisión Canaria (TVC) stated that they had yet to make a decision on their participation. It was later announced that the Canary Islands would withdraw on the 16ᵗʰ April 2022.

• Costa Rica – Costa Rica's broadcaster Sistema Nacional de Radio y Televisión de Costa Rica (SINART) announced on the 14ᵗʰ April 2022 its withdrawal from the contest, after the disappointment from the results of their debut.

• Cuba – Instituto Cubano de Radio y Televisión (ICRT) announced on the 14ᵗʰ April 2022 that Cuba's participation in the twenty-sixth edition of the contest would not be possible, citing debts and the ongoing financial issues.

• Ethiopia – Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) announced on the 17ᵗʰ April 2022 that Ethiopia would not take part in the twenty-sixth edition of the contest, due to a lack of interest from the Ethiopian public.

• French Guiana – French Guiana did not appear on the list of participants published on the 17ᵗʰ April 2022.

• French Polynesia – French Polynesia's broadcaster Tahiti Nui Télévision (TNTV) confirmed on the 15ᵗʰ April 2022 that French Polynesia would withdraw from the competition, for unknown reasons.

• Guadeloupe – Guadeloupe Télévision (GTV) announced on the 13ᵗʰ April 2022 that Guadeloupe would not participate in the twenty-sixth edition, probably because of the poor results achieved in the previous editions.

• Iran – Iranian broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) announced on the 17ᵗʰ April 2022 its withdrawal from the contest, without further explanations.

• Iraq – Iraqi Media Network (IMN) announced on the 14ᵗʰ April 2022, that Iraq would not participate in the twenty-sixth edition, without providing further information.

• Kazakhstan – Kazakhstan Radio and Television Corporation (RTRK) announced Kazakhstan's withdrawal from the contest a couple of days after the confirmation period started, due to a lack of interest from the Kazakh public.

• Kosovo – Kosovar broadcaster Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK) announced on the 11ᵗʰ April 2022, that its participation in the twenty-sixth edition of the contest would not be possible. That is due to the controversial situation with Serbia, returning this edition after eight editions of hiatus.

• Liberia – Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) announced on the 16ᵗʰ April 2022 the country's withdrawal from the contest.

• Madagascar – Télévision Malagasy (TVM) announced Madagascar's withdrawal from the contest a couple of days after the confirmation period started, despite their first qualification ever achieved in the previous edition and achieving the island nation's best result so far.

• Mauritius – Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) announced on the 15ᵗʰ April 2022, that Mauritius would not participate in the twenty-sixth edition of the contest, because of the poor results achieved in the previous editions.

• Monaco – Monégasque broadcaster Télé Monte-Carlo (TMC) announced Monaco's withdrawal on the 13ᵗʰ April 2022.

• Montenegro – Radio and Television of Montenegro (RTCG) announced on the 16ᵗʰ April 2022 that Montenegro would not participate in the twenty-sixth edition of the contest, despite the success from the results of their debut.

• Montserrat – Montserrat did not appear on the list of participants published on the 17ᵗʰ April 2022.

• Northern Cyprus – Northern Cypriot broadcaster Bayrak Radio and Television Corporation (BRTC) announced on the 12ᵗʰ April 2022 its withdrawal from the contest, after the disappointment from the results of their debut.

• Pakistan – Pakistani broadcaster Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) announced on the 16ᵗʰ April 2022 its withdrawal from the contest, for unknown reasons.

• Poland – While Telewizja Polska (TVP) had provisionally confirmed their participation in the contest on the 11ᵗʰ April 2022, Poland announced its withdrawal from the contest in the following days, for unknown reasons.

• Portugal – Rádio e Televisão de Portugal (RTP) announced on the 15ᵗʰ April 2022 that Portugal would not participate in the twenty-sixth edition of the contest.

• Singapore – Singaporean broadcaster Media Corporation of Singapore (MEDIACORP) announced on the 16ᵗʰ April 2022 that Singapore would withdraw from the contest, without further explanation.

• Somalia – Somalia's broadcaster Somali National Television (SNTV) announced on the 17ᵗʰ March 2022, that Somalia would not participate in the twenty-sixth edition.

• South Africa – When confirmation period started, South African broadcaster South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) stated that they had yet to make a decision on their participation. South Africa later confirmed its withdrawal on the 12ᵗʰ April 2022, citing low ratings during their time in the contest.

• South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands – South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands did not appear on the list of participants published on the 17ᵗʰ April 2022.

• Spain – Spanish broadcaster Corporación de Radio y Televisión Española (RTVE) announced on the 14ᵗʰ April 2022, that Spain would not participate in the twenty-sixth edition of the contest, due to a lack of interest from the Spanish public.

• Turks and Caicos Islands – Turks and Caicos Islands announced its withdrawal from the contest on the 13ᵗʰ April 2022.

• Vietnam – Đài Truyền Hình Việt Nam (VTV) announced on the 14ᵗʰ April 2022, that Vietnam would not participate in the twenty-sixth edition, after the disappointment from the results of their return.

Other Countries
• Niue – On the 10ᵗʰ April 2022, Niuean broadcaster Broadcasting Corporation of Niue (BCN) announced that they were planning a debut again in OMSC 26, after their attempt in OMSC 23. However, it was later confirmed on the following day that the country would not debut in this edition of the contest either.