Participants

[Mickey]

BTW, the EBU isn't worried about the withdrawal of countries saying "Countries come and countries go" and that they expect between 38 -42 countries in Malmo. So they are okay with a lower number of participants. While it is obviously their right to make those decisions, I can't stand that underlying cockiness they put on display and seems not in spirit of the contest.
Yes, I know it's about the mighty dollar (or Euro) but I always hoped they would share our sentiment that ESC so more than that.

I don't think that's fair. The "Countries come and countries go" remark is aimed at those who think countries withdrawing is a new phenomenon caused by the economic crisis. They're trying to hold off suggestions that everyone is suddenly leaving ESC and this is a big crisis. The basic message is "Don't panic".

Here's a article by the BBC, which includes that quote. It also refers to talk of Greece and Cyprus leaving as "premature".
BBC News - Eurovision bosses call dropout reports 'premature'

 

[Matt]

The whole comment was "Countries come and go every year and the current trend is not unusual".

But that statement is comparing apples to oranges. There are difference between not wanting to take part due to low interest vs not being able to pariticpate due to finances. So making a blank statement like that does not seem accurate to me.
And of course we need to wait and see what's going to happen. Slovenia, Bosnia & Greece are still deciding and there is a good chance that they all will indeed take part, what if they decide not to due to finances? That's what I'm referring to.

 

[Jim]

Dusseldorf has the record so far! 43 countries and only Czech Republic & Montenegro, from the big countries, were missing. Belgrade had 43 countries too, but Italy, one of the biggest countries of Europe, didn't participate.

 

[evilperson]

SVT is not a show-off like the Azeri broadcaster, they're not as desperate so they need to bribe countries to take part. Also, the Swedish state wouldn't put resource money in SVT like the Azeri state did... and in the end of the day we don't have those resources anyways

All I'm saying is that it's disrespectful that's all... nothing more - nothing less.

I'm not saying SVT has to show-off but if they are going to put it out there that they are hosting a cheap ESC meanwhile the fees are increasing, maybe they can stand to dump a bit more cash into their hosting efforts.

I still don't get how it would be disrespectful for Bosnia and Herzegovina to withdraw when ESC is in Sweden. Withdrawals seem to be financially motivated, I can't see Bosnia putting itself into debt just to send a song to Sweden because ESC is in Sweden. If it's viable for them to do so, then they will.

 

[A-lister]

I'm not saying SVT has to show-off but if they are going to put it out there that they are hosting a cheap ESC meanwhile the fees are increasing, maybe they can stand to dump a bit more cash into their hosting efforts.

I agree with this, it's quite ridiculous that SVT will prevent a cheap ESC but in the meantime the fees are higher, but don't forget that the fees are not controlled by SVT but EBU as a whole.

I still don't get how it would be disrespectful for Bosnia and Herzegovina to withdraw when ESC is in Sweden. Withdrawals seem to be financially motivated, I can't see Bosnia putting itself into debt just to send a song to Sweden because ESC is in Sweden. If it's viable for them to do so, then they will.

It's about good ethics, and I don't see them being far worse off economically than some countries/broadcasters already confirmed.

 

[A-lister]

Dusseldorf has the record so far! 43 countries and only Czech Republic & Montenegro, from the big countries, were missing. Belgrade had 43 countries too, but Italy, one of the biggest countries of Europe, didn't participate.

Montenegro a 'big country'?

 

[Jim]

Montenegro a 'big country'?

In comparison with Andorra, Liechtenstein & Monaco, yes!

 

[A-lister]

In comparison with Andorra, Liechtenstein & Monaco, yes!

Well, then every country is a 'big country'

 

[Jim]

Well, then every country is a 'big country'

Not every country. Russia for example is in the category of the huge countries!

 

[Farahim]

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[A-lister]

Edited.

 

[daniels1000]

The EBU has revealed on their official website that the list of participating countries at the forthcoming Eurovision Song Contest will be released before Christmas due to the high interest and media speculation regarding which countries will participate in Malmo,


Read more HERE.

 

[Jim]

I wish for more than 42 countries but it's not so possible...

 

[A-lister]

I wish for more than 42 countries but it's not so possible...

Even 42 is not possible as it looks now, we should be happy if we get 41.

 

[GRE]

At this moment we have 37 countries.
Still waiting official news from Slovenia,Greece,Bosnia,Spain.

 

[dragvision]

I think 37 + Bosnia and Greee, surprendly Spain is out.

 

[Jim]

I think 37 + Bosnia and Greee, surprendly Spain is out.

I don't believe that Spain will be out! It's unbelievable for me!

 

[Matt]

Spain isn't out, not sure where that rumor popped up but it's not gonna happen.

 

[A-lister]

At this moment we have 37 countries.
Still waiting official news from Slovenia,Greece,Bosnia,Spain.

So far we have 41 countries until any of those you mentioned would confirm otherwise. Oh and btw, Spain is not out.

 

[DannyDS]

I wouldn't be surprised if Spain were out. They can hardly afford food..