Countries of 2016

[Yazy]

Bosnian return is definitely a surprise.

Which makes wonder....was BiH that 42nd country that EBU was hinting at?

 

[ESCPOLAND]

41 I think now we have

 

[anto475]

Technically I think it was about a month ago? But as usual the EBU is pretty lenient towards anyone wanting to join after that point. I think I remember hearing on another thread that the absolute, final deadline was around the end of December, but I'm not sure on that.

Although the fact that we're past the deadline doesn't really matter given that a country could confirm to the EBU and not publicly announce their participation until anytime before the HoD meeting when all participating broadcasters are revealed.

 

[cassio]

Hi Sean

Thanks for your list of participating countries

Since you have ruled out China I think we should rule out United Stats, Chile and South Korea, where Eurovision is very popular too

 

[Uvaro]

43 countries!!
http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=176263

 

[FilipFromSweden]

43 countries!!
http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=176263

Wow! 43! Hasn't been that big since 2011!

 

[GRE]

So, 42+1 countries is a very good number of participants.
Better than last year (39+1).
Not to mention 2014 (37).

 

[DanielLuis]

If only RTP wasn't stupid we'd have a record breaking 44 countries this year!!

 

[tuorem]

If only RTP wasn't stupid we'd have a record breaking 44 countries this year!!

This! And a black hole will remain once again in Central Europe as well Good news are good news, but that's a shame, we were close to full house!

 

[GRE]

I don't count any record with Rest of the World countries.
It's a fake record.

 

[LucasMichael]

So delighted to see Bulgaria back, one of the most intriguing countries to enter the contest in my eyes.

 

[A-lister]

I don't count any record with Rest of the World countries.
It's a fake record.

I agree, firstly it's not a record since it's not the first time with 43 countries, secondly breaking records with couping in countries that shouldn't even be in Eurovision in the first place is not a hard thing to do. EBU should have put focus trying to convince Portugal to stay in and Slovakia and Luxembourg to come back instead ... and if they could we would have ended up with a REAL and proper record.

 

[DanielLuis]

I agree, firstly it's not a record since it's not the first time with 43 countries, secondly breaking records with couping in countries that shouldn't even be in Eurovision in the first place is not a hard thing to do. EBU should have put focus trying to convince Portugal to stay in and Slovakia and Luxembourg to come back instead ... and if they could we would have ended up with a REAL and proper record.

What makes you think they didn't try and convince Portugal, Slovakia and Luxembourg?
Either way, hopefully next year no countries withdraw (which I think is hard, but let's hope). RTP said Portugal is taking only a one-year break (they said the same in 2013 and they did come back in 2014) and hopefully the Czech Republic will do well this year and Slovakia will be convinced to return. That way we'd end up with at least 45 countries, 44 of which are "legitimate" participants. (There's a lot of hope involved in this, I know )

 

[EscGeek]

 

[VikingTiger]

I must admit that the only country I will REALLY miss in Stockholm is Portugal... But I have faith they will be back in 2017.

 

[VikingTiger]

,,,,and of course one of my biggest favourites: Turkey!!! Please come back in 2017!

 

[ZoboCamel]

Not going to spam all the separate threads to say this, but: woo! Multiple confirmations from unexpected countries, a record-equalling number of participants, etc. etc. Plus Kaliopi's been announced, BiH's artist combination looks... unique... it's shaping up to be an interesting year so far! Apart from Montenegro.

Hopefully we'll see some top-notch Balkan ballads, and some different countries up the top of the scoreboard!

 

[FilipFromSweden]

Back to having 19/18 semi-finalists!