The deadline for broadcasters to inform the EBU of their intentions to compete at Eurovision 2025 is rapidly approaching on September 15th, but some countries are still uncertain if they will be present.
The Netherlands get November 1 extension
Despite a rocky relationship between AVROTROS and the EBU following the disqualification of Joost Klein in Malmo, it seems that conversations are ongoing between the two organizations about Eurovision 2025. The EBU Director of Media Jean Philip De Tender visited the broadcaster in an attempt to mend bridges and discuss participation.
While these conversations are good, they are happening while the EBU participation deadline is just days away. As a result, AVROTROS petitioned the EBU for time to let the conversations play out and to decide on their 2025 participation, which has been granted. Their reasoning was outlined by their communications team:
“With a visit by EBU’s Director of Media Jean Philip De Tender to AVROTROS, the dialogue with the EBU has started. In order to give this constructive dialogue the chance of success, AVROTROS has requested a postponement for the decision on participation. The EBU has granted this postponement until 1 November, for which we are grateful.”
The EBU believes that these conversations have been constructive and are hopeful that they will decide to participate in Basel this coming May.
Slovenia’s RTVSLO has registered, won’t confirm until October
Meanwhile the Slovenian broadcaster has also indicated that they will not publicly confirm their participation in the 2025 contest until October but have registered with the EBU to participate in Basel.
Immediately following the contest, the broadcaster raised concerns to the EBU following the 2024 contest about their televote results, the disqualification of the Netherlands, the introduction of the “Rest of the World” vote, and more in a lengthy public statement.
As a reminder, broadcasters must submit their intentions to compete in the contest to the EBU by September 15th, but can withdraw without financial penalty up until October 11th. This means that though registered, Slovenia could choose to withdraw from the 2025 contest in line with their proposed announcement date.
Romania still not decided on Eurovision
Romania withdrew from the 2024 contest following a budget rejection from the TVR board that would have financed their participation.
Despite non-participation in Malmo, TVR has not decided if they will still be missing from the list of Eurovision participating countries. Speaking to Eurovoix a spokesperson said:
“Until now, we [do] not have any decision for further participation on Eurovision Song Contest 2025.”
Should Romania decide to participate they would be the second country to return to the 2025 contest after Montenegro confirmed their participation in August.
A total of 28 countries have so far confirmed their intention to compete in the 2025 contest. Seven countries have yet to make a public confirmation about participation: Armenia, Australia, Croatia, Estonia, Ireland, Moldova, and Poland.
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