The Austrian national broadcaster ORF will organise a national final once again in 2016, its director Kathrin Zechner has confirmed. From the experience of hosting this year’s Eurovision Song Contest the format is expected to place further importance on the Austrian music industry and the broadcaster is expected to work with the industry on finding an entry in 2016. Other …
China: EBU declines potential new guest
China’s delegation from the broadcaster Hunan TV, who were present in Vienna, gave an interview to Wiwibloggs showing intent of sending a Chinese artist to Eurovision one day. Since this revelation our forum and the rest of the Eurovision fanbase have been polarised on opinion – would China become the next extra-European guest in our favourite contest? Well, the EBU …
Eurovision 2016: Is Stockholm out of the race?
As SVT gave out the secret “demand” list for the host city 2016, both Tele 2 arena and Friends arena in Stockholm had to pull back. Because of the fact that both arenas are already booked with football matches. “We have had some discussions. It’s no longer on the map to let the arena host Eurovision Song Contest. It can’t …
Belgium: Kate Ryan to return for second try at Eurovision.
It’s been just over a week since Eurovision 2015 in Vienna, but the rumour mill has already started for Sweden 2016. Kate Ryan, who represented Belgium in 2006 with her song Je t’adore is going for it again. Despite being such a fan favourite in Athens, she could only manage 12th place in the semi final, and crashed out before …
Poland will take part in 2016
Polish broadcaster TVP has announced their schedule of programming for 2016 and it has all but confirmed the country’s intention to be present at Eurovision 2016 – as the channel will broadcaster both semis and the final of next year’s contest. As a result this means that Poland along with Finland, Hungary and Sweden have announced plans for 2016. Turkey …
Tunisia, Morocco, Kazakhstan and Kosovo to attend Vienna?
This news may be quite interesting for fans – it seems that four countries might send delegations to Vienna to observe proceedings of Eurovision 2015, perhaps with a view of joining the contest. Tunisia, Morocco, Kazakhstan and Kosovo are the four delegations identified as attending the contest in Vienna, according to former Sanmarinese commentator and spokesperson John Kennedy O’Connor. Morocco …
Turkey back in 2016
Turkish national broadcaster TRT appears to have confirmed the Eurasian country will return to Eurovision next year after three years of non-participation. The previous management of the broadcaster who had publically criticised the competition’s rules are no longer controllers of TRT. The new head of the broadcaster, Senol Gökan, has now announced that Turkey intends to return to the competition …
Bulgaria to return in 2016?
Bulgaria’s national broadcaster BNT may have taken the decision to not join the contest in Vienna but it seems that there is still fire in the belly of the TV channel, after announcing today that they plan to be with us in 2016. In the latest press release from the channel it appears that BNT are expected to launch their …
Luxembourg: Culture minister to push for country’s return?
It appears that we could be seeing a long awaited return for Eurovision in 2016 if the culture minister of Luxembourg has anything to say about it. Luxembourg’s annual Eurovision Gala Night took place last night in the Duchy and Eurovision 1992 winner Linda Martin was on hand to perform. During her set she called on Luxembourg’s culture minister Maggy …
Croatia planning to return in 2016?
Even though the Balkan nation of Croatia has seemingly ruled out a return to Eurovision next year, the Croatian website Jutarnji.hr seems to suggest that the country will indeed return after all… but only in 2016! In an article detailing the format of HRT’s new investment, The Voice of Croatia, it is suggested that much like other broadcasters in Europe, …