OMSC 25

Online Music Song Contest 25, often referred to as OMSC 25, was the twenty-fifth edition of Online Music Song Contest, held in Las Palmas, after the Canary Islands won the previous edition of the contest.

The Pre-Qualification Round of OMSC 25 occured on the 27ᵗʰ March 2022, the Semi-Finals on the 3ʳᵈ April 2022 while the Final occured on the 10ᵗʰ April 2022. Fifty-five countries participated in the twenty-fifth contest, under the slogan “Bring The Heat!”.

San Marino won the contest with the song "Rum", sung in Italian, receving a total of 192 points. Puerto Rico finished in second place with a margin of fifty-nine points from the winner, while Montserrat finished in third place. They were followed by the United Kingdom, which reached the fourth place and the British Virgin Islands which reached the fifth place.

Location
After it's victory in the previous edition, the broadcaster TVC chose to host the contest in the capital (together with Santa Cruz de Tenerife) of the islands, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, commonly known as Las Palmas. It is the most populous city in the autonomous community of the Canary Islands, and the ninth-largest city in Spain with a population of over 380,000 inhabitants. It is located in the northeastern part of the island of Gran Canaria, about 150 kilometers off the Moroccan coast in the Atlantic Ocean. Vancouver is one of the most livable cities in Canada and in the world. In terms of housing affordability, Vancouver is also one of the most expensive cities in Canada and in the world.

The city was founded by Juan Rejón in 1478, with the name "Real de Las Palmas". Rejón was head of the invading Castilian army, which then engaged in war with the locals. The war began at the mouth of the Guiniguada ravine, where he settled together with his soldiers the district of Vegueta. The struggle lasted for a period of five years, costing a great number of lives, especially on the aboriginal side, which lacked sufficient means to defend itself against the armies sent by the Catholic Monarchs. Even so, resistance was fierce. The end of the conquest came in 1483, with the incorporation of the island into the Crown of Castile by Pedro de Vera, who managed to subjugate the natives of Gáldar in the northwest of the island. In 1485 the diocese was transferred from El Rubicón (Lanzarote) to Real de Las Palmas. The importance of the city grew gradually, with the establishment of the Bishopric of the Canary Islands, the first Court of the Holy Inquisition, the Royal Court of the Canary Islands and the residence of the Captains General of the Canary Islands. Although the capital, as understood from the 19ᵗʰ century onwards, did not exist as such in the archipelago, given that the Captain General's Residence was in Las Palmas, it can be considered that this was the capital of the Canary Islands during part of the 16ᵗʰ and 17ᵗʰ centuries. Afterwards, although without legal or real significance, it continued to be considered the honorary capital of the Canary archipelago.

In 1492, Christopher Columbus anchored in the port of Las Palmas for a repair of the rudder of his ship Pinta and spent some time on the neighbour island on his first trip to the Americas. He also stopped there on the way back to Spain. The Colón House, a museum in the Vegueta district of the city, is named after him. In 1595, Francis Drake tried to plunder the town, leading to the Battle of Las Palmas. A Dutch raid under vice-admiral Pieter van der Does in 1599 was only slightly more successful. Some of the town was destroyed, but the raiders were repelled. Las Palmas' seaport Puerto de la Luz benefited greatly from the closure of the Suez Canal during the Suez Crisis. Many foreign workers migrated to the city at this time. Las Palmas is a sister city of San Antonio, Texas, in the United States, which was founded in 1718 by about 25 Canarian inhabitants.

Nowadays Las Palmas is the home of the Canarian Ministry of Presidency (shared in a four-year term with Santa Cruz de Tenerife), as well as half of the ministries and boards of the Canarian government, and the High Court of Justice of the Canary Islands. It offers a variety of theater, cinema, opera, concerts, visual arts and dance performances. Las Palmas hosts the Canary Islands Music Festival, the Theatre and Dance and the International Film Festival. The Carnival of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is one of the main attractions for tourists. Among the places of worship, they are predominantly Christian churches and temples: the Roman Catholic Diocese of Canarias, the Spanish Evangelical Church, the Union of Evangelical Baptists of Spain. There are also Muslim mosques. The Vegueta and Triana neighbourhoods, are included in the tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Participants
Fifty-five countries participated in the twenty-fifth edition of the contest: fifteen European countries (Belarus, Kosovo, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Northern Cyprus, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, United Kingdom), fourteen Asian countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, British Indian Ocean Territories, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, North Korea, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam), fifteen American countries (Argentina, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands, United States of America, United States’ Virgin Islands), four Oceanian countries (Australia, French Polynesia, Guam, Micronesia) and seven African countries (Canary Islands, Ethiopia, Liberia, Madagascar, Mauritius, South Africa).

In this edition Costa Rica, Monaco, Montenegro, Montserrat and Northern Cyprus participated for the first time.

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

Mothica represented the United States of America in the fifteenth edition of the contest. She performed her song "Vices" which made it to the final and placed 4ᵗʰ out of 50 participating countries with 107 points. In this occasion she represented the United States again, this time with her song "Buzzkill", again in English. It placed 37ᵗʰ with 80 points, without unfortunately qualifying for the final.

Ellise represented Iraq at its fifth appearence in the eleventh edition of the contest with her song "911", sung in English, which placed 23ʳᵈ out of 38 participating countries with 79 points, without unfortunately qualifying for the final. She returned to the contest in the following edition, again for Iraq, with her song "Feeling Something Bad...", which placed 12ᵗʰ out of 44 participating countries with 71 points, achieving Iraq's third best result so far. In this occasion she was selected to represent Iraq one last time, this time with her song "Pinky Promise", placing 33ʳᵈ out of 55 participating countries with 89 points, in the semi-finals.

IZ*ONE represented Japan in the ninth edition of the contest with their song "Violeta", sung in Korean, which placed 6ᵗʰ out of 46 participating countries with 102 points, scoring Japan's best result to date. They returned to the contest in the following edition with the song "Zero: Attitude", for South Korea. The song was performed together with Soyou and pH-1 and was sung both in English and Korean. It placed 43ʳᵈ out of 46 participating countries with 17 points, in the semi-final. In this occasion the girl group was selected one last time to represent Japan again, this time with their song "Secret Story Of The Swan", placing 9ᵗʰ with 105 points.

KSHMR represented India at its fourth appearence in the contest in the twenty-second edition. He participated together with Armaan Malik and Eric Nam with the song "Echo", sung in English, which placed 20ᵗʰ out of 50 participating countries with 65 points. He returned in the previous edition when he represented India again, together with the Norwegian artist and music producer Tungevaag. The performed song was "Close Your Eyes", sung in English too, which placed 7ᵗʰ with 120 points. In this occasion he was selected one last time to represent Pakistan, together with the Pakistani duo Krewella, also returning this edition. He performed the song "No Regrets" which placed 13ᵗʰ out of 55 participanting countries with 90 points.

Krewella represented Pakistan at its debut in the fourth edition of the contest with their song "New World". It was performed together with the Chinese rapper VaVa and the Dutch duo Yellow Claw. It was sung both in Chinese and English and placed 23ʳᵈ out of 38 participating countries with 67 points, without unfortunately qualifying for the final. In this occasion they were selected to represent Pakistan again, together with the American-Indian musician, songwriter and record producer KSHMR, also returning this edition. The duo performed the song "No Regrets" which placed 13ᵗʰ out of 55 participants with 90 points.

Ana Malhoa represented Portugal in the sixth edition of the contest, in Hastings. She performed her song "Ampulheta", sung in Portuguese, which placed second to last out of 27 participating countries with 44 points. In this occasion she returned to the contest after almost twenty editions, representing Portugal again. She performed her song "Viúva Negra", sung again in Portuguese, placing 22ⁿᵈ with 61 points.

HYO represented South Korea in the eleventh edition of the contest, together with 3LAU, with the song "Punk Right Now", sung both in English and Korean, which unfortunately didn't make it to the final, placing 21ˢᵗ out of 38 participating countries with 82 points. In this occasion she was selected to represent North Korea, together with Jeon So-Yeon, with the song "Dessert" which placed 21ˢᵗ out of 55 participanting countries with 63 points.

Tabitha Nauser represented Singapore at its last appearence in the contest, in the fifteenth edition. She performed her song "Bulletproof" with which she placed 30ᵗʰ out of 50 participating countries with 84 points, without unfortunately qualifying for the final. In this occasion she was selected to represent Singapore again, after ten editions of hiatus. This time she performed her song "Slow Down", placing 26ᵗʰ with 51 points.

Hyuna represented South Korea in the seventeenth edition of the contest with her song "I’m Not Cool". It placed 5ᵗʰ out of 50 participating countries with 114 points and remains one of the most successful results South Korea achieved in the history of the contest. In this occasion she was chosen to represent South Korea again, together with Dawn. The performed song "Ping Pong" was sung both in English and Korean and placed 30ᵗʰ with 98 points, without unfortunately qualifying for the final.

Alok represented Norway at its sixth appearence in the contest in the thirteenth edition of the contest, held in Odessa. He participated together with the Norwegian singer Ina Wroldsen, performing the song "Favela", sung in English, which placed 8ᵗʰ out of 42 participating countries with 89 points. In this occasion he was selected to represent his nation, Brazil. He performed together with the Antiguan-German singer and songwriter Au/Ra, also returning this edition. The performed song was "Side Effect" which placed 19ᵗʰ out of 55 participants with 82 points.

Au/Ra represented Antigua and Barbuda at its debut in the eleventh edition of the contest, together with the English musician and songwriter Jax Jones. The performed song was "I Miss U" which placed 9ᵗʰ out of 38 participating countries with 107 points. She returned to the contest after six editions, in the seventeenth edition, when she was chosen to represent Germany with her song "Panic Room". It made it to the final but eventually placed 16ᵗʰ out of 50 participanting countries with 67 points. In this occasion Sistema Brasileiro de Televisão (SBT) made her the proposal to represent Brazil alongside the Brazilian musician and record producer Alok, also returning this edition. She performed the song "Side Effect", sung in English, placing 19ᵗʰ.

Sophie Simmons represented Canada in the ninth edition of the contest with her song "Burn Me Down" which made it to the final and placed 4ᵗʰ out of 46 participating countries with 103 points. In this occasion she was internally selected to represent Puerto Rico, together with Frank Walker, with the song "Shadows". It was sung in English and placed 2ⁿᵈ with 133 points.

Sophie and the Giants represented the United Kingdom ten editions ago, in the fifteenth edition of the contest. They competed with their song "Right Now" which placed 20ᵗʰ out of 50 participating countries with 47 points. Sophie, the lead vocalist of the band returned to the contest in the following edition, but not alone. She represented Italy alongside the Italian singer Michele Bravi with the song was "Falene", sung both in English and Italian, which placed 37ᵗʰ out of 50 participating countries with 68 points, in the semi-final. In this occasion, the band was selected one last time, this time to represent the British Virgin Islands, which return to the contest after fifteen editions of absence. This time they performed their song "Break The Silence" placing 5ᵗʰ with 128 points.

Isaac Dunbar represented Liberia at its debut in the sixteenth edition, in Serbia. He performed his song "Onion Boy", sung in English, which placed 19ᵗʰ out of 50 participating countries with 73 points, which is still the best Liberian result to date. In this occasion he was chosen to represent Liberia again, this time with his song "Love, Or The Lack Thereof", sung again in English, which achieved the 41ˢᵗ place with 63 points.

Rêve represented Canada in the twenty-first edition of the contest with her song "Still Dancing" which won the contest with a score of 161 points and brought the contest to Vancouver. In this occasion she was internally selected to represent Canada again, with the song "CTRL + ALT + DEL". It placed 51ˢᵗ with 162 points in the pre-qualification round.

Ani Lorak represented Ukraine at its second appearence, back in the second edition of the contest, with her song "Sumasshedshaya (Сумасшедшая)". It was sung in Russian and placed 2ⁿᵈ out of 14 participating countries with 76 points. In this occasion she was selected to represent Ukraine again after twenty-three editions, with her song "Razdetaya (Раздетая)", sung in Russian again, which didn't obtain the same success placing 42ⁿᵈ with 63 points.

Moyka represented Norway four editions ago, in the twenty-first edition of the contest, in Yerevan. She performed her song "Stay", sung in English, which unfortunately didn't make it to the final placing 34ᵗʰ out of 50 participating countries with 64 points. In this occasion she represented Norway again with her song "Violet", placing 6ᵗʰ with 128 points.

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

• Abkhazia – Abkhaz broadcaster Abkhazian State Television (ASTV) announced on the 17ᵗʰ March 2022 its withdrawal from the contest, despite the success from the results of their debut.

• American Samoa – American Samoa did not appear on the list of participants published on the 20ᵗʰ March 2022.

• Anguilla – National Broadcasting Corporation of Anguilla (NBCA) announced on the 20ᵗʰ March 2022 that Anguilla would withdraw from the competition, probably because of the poor results achieved since their debut.

• Aruba – Aruba Television (ATV) announced on the 17ᵗʰ March 2022 that Aruba would not take part in the twenty-fifth edition of the contest, citing low ratings during their time in the contest and for never having participated in a grand final.

• Austria – Austrian broadcaster Österreichischer Rundfunk (ORF) announced on the 14ᵗʰ February 2022 the country's withdrawal from the contest, due to a lack of interest from the Austrian public.

• Belgium – Belgian broadcasters VRT and RTBF confirmed on the 15ᵗʰ March 2022 that Belgium would not compete in the twenty-fifth edition of the contest, despite achieving a good result and their best result to date in the previous edition.

• Bolivia – When submission period started, Televisión Boliviana (TVB) stated that they had yet to make a decision on their participation. It was later announced that Bolivia would withdraw on the 18ᵗʰ March 2022.

• Bonaire – Bonaire's broadcaster Broadcasting Network Bonaire (BNB) announced on the 17ᵗʰ March 2022 its withdrawal from the contest, because of the poor results achieved since their debut.

• Bulgaria – Bălgarska Nacionalna Televizija (BNT) announced on the 14ᵗʰ February 2022, that Bulgaria would not participate in the twenty-fifth edition, without further explanations.

• China – China Central Television (CCTV) announced on the 18ᵗʰ March 2022 that China would withdraw from the contest after nine consecutive participations.

• Curaçao – Curaçao did not appear on the list of participants published on the 20ᵗʰ March 2022.

• Cyprus – On the 15ᵗʰ March 2022, it was announced that a representative from an unknown Cypriot broadcaster would be attending a meeting for this edition. However, a couple days later it was confirmed that the Cyprus would not take part in the twenty-fifth edition of the contest. This allowed the debut of Northern Cyprus, which has had interest in the competition and has been planning a debut since OMSC 19 already.

• Denmark – Danish broadcaster Danmarks Radio (DR) announced on the 16ᵗʰ March 2022, that Denmark would not participate in the twenty-fifth edition of the contest.

• Dominican Republic – Corporación Estatal de Radio y Televisión (CERTV) announced on the 21ˢᵗ March 2022, that the Dominican Republic would not participate in the twenty-fifth edition of the contest, because of the poor results achieved since their debut.

• Estonia – Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR) announced Estonia's withdrawal on the 15ᵗʰ March 2022.

• Falkland Islands – Falkland Islands Television (FITV) announced on the 20ᵗʰ March 2022 that the Falkland Islands would not participate in the twenty-fifth edition of the contest, despite achieving a good result and their best result to date in the previous edition.

• Fiji – Fijian Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) announced Fiji's withdrawal from the contest a couple of days after the confirmation period started, despite placing 3ʳᵈ in the previous edition and achieving the island nation's best result so far.

• Georgia – Georgian broadcaster Sakartvelos Sazogadoebrivi Mauts'q'ebeli (GPB) announced on the 17ᵗʰ March 2022 its withdrawal from the contest, without further explanations.

• Germany – While Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen (ZDF) had provisionally confirmed their participation in the contest on the 13ᵗʰ March 2022, Germany announced its withdrawal from the contest in the following days, for unknown reasons.

• Ghana – Ghanaian broadcaster Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) announced on the 17ᵗʰ March 2022 its withdrawal from the contest, for unknown reasons.

• Greece – Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT) announced on the 15ᵗʰ March 2022 that Greece would not participate in the twenty-fifth edition of the contest.

• Greenland – Greenlandic broadcaster Kalaallit Nunaata Radioa (KNR) announced on the 18ᵗʰ March 2022 that Greenland would withdraw from the contest, despite their first qualification ever achieved in the previous edition.

• India – India's broadcaster Doordarshan (दूरदर्शन) announced on the 19ᵗʰ March 2022, that India would not participate in the twenty-fifth edition, after four consecutive participations.

• Israel – When confirmation period started, Israeli broadcaster Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation (IPBC) stated that they had yet to make a decision on their participation. Israel later confirmed its withdrawal on the 16ᵗʰ March 2022, despite achieving good results in the previous editions.

• Italy – Radio Televisione Italiana (RAI) announced the country's withdrawal immediately after the submission period started, on the 13ᵗʰ March 2022. The broadcaster stated that at the moment all their efforts are dedicated to making a great Eurovision Song Contest in May 2022.

• Latvia – Latvian broadcaster Latvijas Televīzija (LTV) confirmed the country's non-participation on the 15ᵗʰ March 2022, without providing further information.

• Malaysia – Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) announced on the 17ᵗʰ March 2022, that Malaysia would not participate in the twenty-fifth edition of the contest, despite achieving a good result in the previous edition.

• Morocco – Société Nationale de Radiodiffusion et de Télévision (SNRT) announced on the 20ᵗʰ March 2022, that Morocco would not participate in the twenty-fifth edition, due to a lack of interest from the Moroccan public.

• New Zealand – Television New Zealand (TVNZ) announced on the 18ᵗʰ March 2022 that New Zealand's participation in the twenty-fifth edition of the contest would not be possible, without further explanations.

• Nigeria – Nigerian broadcaster Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) announced on the 20ᵗʰ March 2022 its withdrawal from the contest, due to financial difficulties.

• Northern Mariana Islands – Northern Mariana Islands were set to participate in this edition of the contest and selected Krigarè as their representative. The nation had been drawn to participate in eighteenth place of the first semi-final. However, the broadcaster announced their withdrawal from the competition on 25ᵗʰ March 2022.

• Papua New Guinea – National Broadcasting Corporation of Papua New Guinea (NBC/PNG) confirmed the Papuan withdrawal from the contest on the 19ᵗʰ March 2022, citing debts and the ongoing financial issues.

• Russia – Russia's participation in the twenty-fifth edition of the contest was not possible due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Channel One Russia (C1R) announced on the 14ᵗʰ March 2022 that a number of sanctions impacted on the country's participation in this and the upcoming editions.

• Samoa – Samoa did not appear on the list of participants published on the 20ᵗʰ March 2022.

• Thailand – Thailand's broadcaster National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) announced on the 15ᵗʰ March 2022 its withdrawal from the contest, despite achieving a good result and their best result to date in the previous edition.

• Uruguay – When submission period started, Televisión Nacional Uruguay (TNU) stated that they had yet to make a decision on their participation. Uruguay later confirmed its withdrawal on the 20ᵗʰ March 2022.

Other Countries
• Andorra – On the 14ᵗʰ March 2022, Andorra's broadcaster Ràdio i Televisió d'Andorra (RTVA) announced that the nation had interest in the competition and was planning a debut in OMSC 25. However, it was later confirmed on the same day that the country would not debut in this edition of the contest.

• Cayman Islands – On the 17ᵗʰ March 2022, the Caymanian broadcaster Cayman International Television Network (CITN) announced that they were planning a debut in OMSC 25. However, it was later confirmed on the 20ᵗʰ March 2022 that the country would not debut in this edition of the contest.

• Yemen – On the 14ᵗʰ March 2022, the Yemeni broadcaster Yemen Television (YTV) announced that they were planning a debut again in OMSC 25, after their previous attempts in OMSC 4 and OMSC 20. However, it was later confirmed on the 17ᵗʰ March 2022 that the country would not debut in this edition of the contest either.