PORTUGAL 2013 - not taking part

[DanielLuis]

So RTP has released a press release today.
In it, they say that because of the lack of money they will try to only keep portugueses productions on their schedule.
However, later they say that they want to invest in shows that give dignity to portuguese artists.
They end the release saying that since they'll have less money in 2013, they want to broadcast shows that bring more dignity, and so Eurovision is not an option :idc:

This probably means that RTP doesnt care about ESC anymore and after that press release I think Portugal wont even return in 2014. I mean, they just said ESC is not good enough to be broadcasted on their channel.

 

[BGN]

If there is will, there is also way. Yes, there is crisis, but it's all over Europe. Many nations have difficult times now, but if Europe members don't stick one to each other, the game is definately lost. Eurovision is good way to show that and it's not even expensive for the most of the broadcasters (even Moldova could afford it, and it's neither the country nor the broadcaster that can be called rich).

 

[dragvision]

unluky the portguese party want privatise rtp, this mean like Luxemburg, in this little country the governament dont pay nothin, but a curiosity in Portugal your chef is a party of right or left?

 

[Jonaxh]

unluky the portguese party want privatise rtp, this mean like Luxemburg, in this little country the governament dont pay nothin, but a curiosity in Portugal your chef is a party of right or left?

Nowadays a right party prime-minister from a government of two right parties together (join together to achieve majority)...

 

[LalehForWD]

I'm very sad RTP took this decision. Obviously it's to save money whatever reason they say. One have to understand though, they are perhaps forced to choose between sacking a couple of staff or participate in ESC. Ultimately it is the domestic Portuguese music industry that suffers, losing one of the few means to reach out to Europe with their music (other than the obligatory FADO record bought by tourists). Maybe the Portuguese music industry can cofund a participation in ESC?

 

[VikingTiger]

It's very sad that Portugal will not be in Malmø. Portugal has been a very faithful participant throughout the years, even though the results havent been very good. Portugal is the country I will definitely miss the most!
Some people in this (and other) forums are complaining about this years hosts. But I think it is very important to try to keep the costs for the host country down. The Russian and the Azeri shows were both great - but way too expensive for most broadcasters that are participating.
I think that countries like Portugal will be more likely to return if Sweden succeeds in making a great competition in May - but will lower costs.

 

[DanielLuis]

I'm very sad RTP took this decision. Obviously it's to save money whatever reason they say. One have to understand though, they are perhaps forced to choose between sacking a couple of staff or participate in ESC. Ultimately it is the domestic Portuguese music industry that suffers, losing one of the few means to reach out to Europe with their music (other than the obligatory FADO record bought by tourists). Maybe the Portuguese music industry can cofund a participation in ESC?

The problem with that is that most of the people dont care about eurovision. So the only way it would be a sucess is if the sponsors would do a giant publicity campagin. And unfortunately I dont think anybody cares enough to do that.

 

[wyq614]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the birth of the Eurovision Song Contest took place just when the European countries got rid of the War and were in process of re-construction. Eurovision served to develop the relations and friendship between the European countries, and encourage people to go forward. Nowadays Europe is facing a severe economic crisis, and the Europeans need more than ever to cheer up. That was what Eurovision all about. So if Eurovision was born for that, the crisis is not an excuse to withdraw, unless the broadcaster cannot even cover the entrance fee.

 

[Matt]

Eurovision Song Contest was not forged in the flames of international unity. the contest was set up for the practical purpose of testing the scope of new broadcast technology in the 1950s.

 

[A-lister]

Eurovision Song Contest was not forged in the flames of international unity. the contest was set up for the practical purpose of testing the scope of new broadcast technology in the 1950s.

Not only. The whole point with EBU was co-operation and breaking down the barriers between the countries. Actually most of these cross-national European projects are partly 'peace' projects like these.

 

[Matt]

Not only. The whole point with EBU was co-operation and breaking down the barriers between the countries. Actually most of these cross-national European projects are partly 'peace' projects like these.

According to Dr Karen Fricker, co-director of the Eurovision Research Network, the contest was set up for the practical purpose of testing the scope of new broadcast technology in the 1950s.
"The whole gloss we put on it that it's about uniting Europe is actually a misrepresentation," she said. "Eurovision was set up not to unite Europe in song, but to test the latest broadcast technology," she said.
"The EBU needed content so thought, 'Let's create a song contest,'" she said. The contest caught on, and has endured as a reliable ratings hit for the broadcasters of participating nations.

 

[A-lister]

According to Dr Karen Fricker, co-director of the Eurovision Research Network, the contest was set up for the practical purpose of testing the scope of new broadcast technology in the 1950s.
"The whole gloss we put on it that it's about uniting Europe is actually a misrepresentation," she said. "Eurovision was set up not to unite Europe in song, but to test the latest broadcast technology," she said.
"The EBU needed content so thought, 'Let's create a song contest,'" she said. The contest caught on, and has endured as a reliable ratings hit for the broadcasters of participating nations.

I actually wrote EBU though not Eurovision, but I'm pretty sure I read stuff like 'uniting Europe' aswell when it comes to Eurovision, I think it can be find even on the official page.

Nevertheless, whether that's the main goal or not that is what it has become.

 

[Matt]

I actually wrote EBU though not Eurovision, but I'm pretty sure I read stuff like 'uniting Europe' aswell when it comes to Eurovision, I think it can be find even on the official page.

Nevertheless, whether that's the main goal or not that is what it has become.

It's a common misconception and even wikipedia has it wrong (go figure). But while it sounds nice having post war Europe re-unite in a song contest, it was all for technical purposes. Fortunately it evolved since then.

 

[A-lister]

It's a common misconception and even wikipedia has it wrong (go figure). But while it sounds nice having post war Europe re-unite in a song contest, it was all for technical purposes. Fortunately it evolved since then.

But most of the cross-national European organizations created back then (including the EBU I'm sure) were created as a post-war response.

 

[Matt]

Right, I'm merely referring to the contest. Not the associated organizations

 

[A-lister]

Right, I'm merely referring to the contest. Not the associated organizations

I see, but if EBU was created for that reason, one can't really separate ESC from that right?

 

[Matt]

Well yes bathe EBU was testing out their broadcast technology. The contest was a tool for that. Their intent was obvious but I'm not taking away anything away from the awesomeness of the contest.

 

[Archer]

I don't really get the crisis thing. Is it economically so hard to simply pick up a singer and ask for him/her to compose a song ? or is it just " we can't have fun in a bad mood " :/ but you need to cheer yourself up with entertainment, mourning will not contribute to the solution of the problem.

 

[Matt]

Interesting article.

Portugal and Poland drop out because winning would be disaster


READ MORE

 

[A-lister]

I don't really get the crisis thing. Is it economically so hard to simply pick up a singer and ask for him/her to compose a song ? or is it just " we can't have fun in a bad mood " :/ but you need to cheer yourself up with entertainment, mourning will not contribute to the solution of the problem.

There's first a fee to enter ESC, then costs for the presentation show and potential promo. The whole problem is that ESC is not free for the broadcaster's, if that was the case we would have no problem.