Participants

[evilperson]

Only the host broadcaster pays for the hosting, not the participating members so having only 1 semi wouldn't really have an effect on the costs for the countries. They may save some money from less accomodations if they had to be in Semi 1 (so they can arrive at a later point) but that's about it.
I'm almost certain it wouldn't affect the fees.

So the participation fees are just the EBU's loose pocket change? Surely some of that goes towards actually staging the contest.

 

[Scooby]

Germany's ESC will be remembered! 43 countries participated in 2011, only Andorra, Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Monaco & Montenegro didn't participate!

In Belgrade 2008. was 43 countries too. Only Austria missing that time

 

[Jim]

In Belgrade 2008. was 43 countries too. Only Austria missing that time

Yes, but in Belgrade except Austria, Italy was missing too! It's not the same to have San Marino for example in the contest instead of Italy! That's why Germany's ESC edition of 2011 will be more memorable!

 

[DanielLuis]

Wow I'm really shocked to see BH and Turkey go!
Ain't the participants list gonna be revealed tomorrow? Are we going to have more nasty surprises, or actually good ones?

 

[Scooby]

Yes, but in Belgrade except Austria, Italy was missing too! It's not the same to have San Marino for example in the contest instead of Italy! That's why Germany's ESC edition of 2011 will be more memorable!

Hm but we have Andorraaaaaaaa
How you can forget that memorable Casanova

 

[Galandar]

That's right folks! The SVT strategy is to force out all serious contesters from the event to ensure a second Swedish win. After all we must test the Friends Arena as well! With participating countries like The UK, Belgium, Denmark and Norway it will be a "piece of cake" as Christer Björkman so clever put it. Next country to go is Finland.

I hope your are joking

 

[Matt]

I'm pretty sure 50% host and 50% EBU.

It was 40% recently so taking away one semi wouldn't really have a financial impact on countries and the participation fee.

 

[evilperson]

It was 40% recently so taking away one semi wouldn't really have a financial impact on countries and the participation fee.

Taking away one whole evening of ESC will undoubtedly reduce costs. Just like cutting an episode of a tv series would cost less money overall.

And maybe it was 40% last year, but Azerbaijan subsidized a lot last year and that's pretty obvious when participation fees for this year are higher than before.

 

[aletem]

now im really unsure who will win. probably 60% , 30% other western europe country annnd 10% random eastern country

With these countries out, it's likely Russia (unless the jury puts them again in bottom 5 ).

 

[GRE]

Slovenia is in.
So we have 38 countries,and waiting for the official confirmation of Greece.
ps i dont like the number 39.I would prefer 38 or 40,so that in each semi there will be equal number of countries.

 

[BGN]

^ It's not very good to have uneven participants in the semis, but this is not the main problem now, IMO.

 

[A-lister]

I'm a bit confused, wasn't December 15th the official deadline? Shouldn't we know by now the official list of participants?

 

[Simon87]

Yeah it should be today I think

 

[evilperson]

They don't necessarily have to release the list today. The EBU might wait on it a few days.

 

[dragvision]

in sote site i hear sieste bakker have declareted official 38 countrys

 

[FilipFromSweden]

It makes me so sad that Cyprus, Portugal, Poland, Turkey, Greece and my sweetheart Bosnia and Hercegovina has said no to ESC 2013 in Malmö. But still a bit mad

 

[vatroslav_cro]

Cyprus and Greece also withdrew????

 

[FilipFromSweden]

Seriously, the more participants it is the lower the budget gets for everyone to participate, soo.. i think all of the countrys that has said no to economical reasons meet up and discuss if they can corporate?

 

[BGN]

in sote site i hear sieste bakker have declareted official 38 countrys

Source?

 

[dragvision]

blog of escnation