<!— Text ads —>

EBU and Eurovision.tv press-conference

Andy on Wed, 05/13/2009 - 14:09

Highlights:
- Kazakhstan will broadcast the contest this year but is not eligible to join ESC in future despite the interest expressed. Same goes for any countries geographically located out of the eligibility zone, Azerbaijan apparently was just in it. As informed at conference by Eurovision TV director Bjorn Erichsen - there are no new potential active member countries AT ALL, as all those they consider being eligible are already in. However, there may appear some new member broadcasters/channels in European countries that are already having one EBU member, and this side of development is EBU priority from now on. Non-European countries broadcasters can still obtain associate member status, which is not giving right to take part in Eurovision.
- Bjorn Erichsen is "sceptical" in regards of Eurovision Talent Contest and seemingly it will not go, Young Dancers have been put on hold again as the interest has been too low, but may return one day.
- According to Mr.Erichsen Eurovision Dance Contest will proceed in Baku as planned, however, there are still some doubts about it
- Organizers admitted that Russian ESC budget will stay unbeatable in the next years and they are fine with that and that next contests probably will be of a smaller scale of organization. It has been specially noted that if Bosnia wins, EBU will provide minimum budget and will assist it in hosting of the contest in other ways too.