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Bosnia and Herzegovina: Court orders sale of BHRT real estate to repay debts to EBU

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A Sarajevo court orders Bosnia and Herzegovina Public Television (BHRT) to sell its real estate to pay off a debt to the EBU.

The divestment of BHRT’s large real estate is ordered by a court decision in Bosnia and Herzegovina. BHRT owes the EBU just over 8 million Euros. Because of this debt, the country’s public television has not had access to the EBU’s services since 2018 and, of course, cannot take part in the Eurovision song contest either.

BHRT owns nine properties, worth 82 million Euros. The sale of the property ordered by the court order is set for September 24. The decision has been appealed.

If BHRT repays its debt to the EBU, it opens the way for its return to the Eurovision Song Contest.

Bosnia and Herzegovina debuted in the contest in 1993 and since then has participated 19 times, with their last appearance being in 2016. Their best finish is third, at Eurovision 2006 in Athens, when they came third with Lejla .

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: Eurovoix

Netherlands: The Ducth commentator, Cornald Maas, answers to Edward af Sillen!

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Earlier yesterday, through a post in his personal account in X, Edward af Sillen, the scriptwriter for the previous three contests in Sweden (2013, 2016 & 2024), parallels the two cases of a contestant’s suspension, in Eurovision 2024 and in Euro, that of Joost Klein and the Turkish football player, Merih Demiral.

His post received both positive and negative reactions, saying that the comparison is out of place. Cornald Maas, the Dutch commentator, stated the same below Edward af Sillen’s post. In detail, he commented the following:

“Oh really? No better/more meaningful comparisons? You can try better (I hope)”

The Dutch disqualification, is a topic that concerned both fans and the EBU itself, which stated in its recent statement on everything that happened during Eurovision 2024, that the simplification of the rules and everyone keeping up with the regulations (members of delegations, artists, fans) is of crucial importance for the smooth running of the contest in the future. However, it’s only logical that the Dutch commentator is negative about the whole treatment of the subject.

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, in Switzerland!

EBU: The new updated rules do not change anything with the participation of Israel

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Jean Philip De Tender, Deputy Director General of the EBU, spoke on Swedish Public Radio about all the changes to the Eurovision Song Contest and the conclusion of the independent investigation carried out by the EBU after the end of this year’s Eurovision and everything that happened in Malmö. De Tender made it clear that nothing changes with Israel’s participation in 2025 as well.

Simplification of regulations

Speaking to Carolina Norén on Swedish radio station P4, Jean Philip De Tender explained several details following the independent expert investigation carried out after the 2024 competition.

He explained that Martin Österdahl will remain as executive supervisor, but some of his responsibilities will be transferred to the new Eurovision director.

De Tender also clarified that the EBU wants to simplify the rules on contracts so that everyone involved understands what they are signing up for. He cited the example that 70 years ago the regulations were all one page and now we are talking about hundreds of pages.

Israel will take part in Eurovision 2025

Regarding the controversy surrounding Israel’s participation in this year’s contest, De Tender said that as a member of the EBU, KAN, Israel’s public broadcaster, is eligible to participate. He stated that the Eurovision Song Contest is a non-political event and that the decision to allow Israel to participate is in line with other non-political organizations such as sports federations. However, he added that he believes the EBU needs to clarify its decision-making better:

“I think we need to maybe clarify the decision-making with all the stakeholders better so that people fully understand what the event stands for and what the goal is.”

The Netherlands and Joost Klein in Switzerland?

Regarding the fear of countries withdrawing from the next Eurovision, De Tender clarifies that no country has so far declared its withdrawal and that he believes that the Netherlands will also participate normally in Switzerland.

In the possibility of Joost Klein’s return to the competition, he simply states that this is a matter of the Dutch public broadcaster and since his participation is not contrary to any regulation, he does not see the reason why the artist could be excluded from Eurovision 2025.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: sverigesradio

EBU: Tighter rules and creation of new roles for Eurovision 2025!

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The highly anticipated result of the independent research, regarding all the matters that took place in Malmö, and filled the Contest’s name with a lot of negativity, were given away by the EBU. Read more

Within the coming week the conclusion of the EBU investigation into what happened in Malmö!

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The Swiss newspaper Blick reports in today’s publication that next week the EBU will publish the result of the investigation it requested, from an independent researcher.

The conclusion of the investigation into the “Shame of Malmö”, as described in Blick, is to be published in the coming days. The EBU proceeded to conduct an independent investigation into everything that happened inside and outside the Malmo Arena and tarnished the image of this year’s contest.

Blick mentions in its article, on the one hand, that during the week of the final there were several anti-Semitic incidents, while on the other hand several delegations complained about the behavior of members of the Israeli delegation. The highlight of all the negative publicity received by Eurovision 2024 was the moment when a large part of the audience inside the stadium loudly booed the contest’s executive supervisor Martin Österdahl.

We await with interest the outcome of the investigation, which may lead to further developments.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates

Source: Blick

Eurovision 2025: Is the contest taking place on May 17?

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After Nemo‘s triumph in Malmö, Switzerland will have the great honor of hosting Eurovision for the first time since 1989. But when will the Contest take place and which are the most likely days?

According to the Swiss newspaper NZZ, the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 looks set to take place during the week of May 11-18, with the three shows being broadcast on May 13, 15 and 17. If the above dates are the correct ones, the Turquoise Carpet will be held on Sunday 11th May. The other possible dates are May 6th, 8th and 10th, but it’s relatively early.

Of course, neither the EBU nor the SRG-SSR have confirmed the official dates of Eurovision 2025. Today is the deadline for cities interested in hosting to submit their proposals to the Swiss public television.

The cities that have declared their interest in claiming the hosting of the Contest are:

  • Zurich
  • Bern & Biel
  • Geneva
  • Basel

https://youtu.be/CO_qJf-nW0k

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, in Switzerland!

Source: nzz.ch

Israel: Everything ΚΑΝ said in the EBU’s independent investigation for Eurovision 2024

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Israel Public Television confirms that an independent investigation has been carried out, on behalf of the EBU, in relation to everything that happened during Eurovision 2024.

The EBU’s external partner conducting the said investigation has already contacted a senior executive of the Israeli public television. According to what KAN reported to Euromix, it is pointed out:

A conversation took place between the management of the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation and an external examiner appointed by the EBU. The discussion was conducted in a very positive spirit, with the corporation’s team expressing and presenting their experiences and feelings about the Eurovision 2024 contest in Malmö in a full and transparent manner. During the conversation, the Israeli team also addressed the behavior of certain delegation members towards the Israeli delegation.

The EBU will use the results of this investigation to identify what mistakes happened that brought so much negative publicity, but also to learn lessons for the future.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: Euromix

Eurovision 2024: An independent investigation is underway!

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Eurovision 2024 was stigmatized by a series of incidents that jeopardized the smooth operation of the show. Joost Klein’s disqualification along with the participation of Israel and the allegations claiming the Israeli delegation members harassing participants marred the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest.

Following the aforementioned, EBU has now confirmed to the Dutch media that an independent investigation on everything that happened in Malmö is underway. As EBU officially stated to RTL Boulevard:

To further strengthen the Eurovision Song Contest, we have asked an independent expert to look at ESC 2024 in Malmö to share insights and lessons with the EBU governing bodies to support the continuous improvement of this global event.

This development is also confirmed by our own sources and exclusive information. RIK, the Cypriot broadcaster, has already expressed its opinions and insights on what happened in Malmö as well as its own thoughts and ideas on what shall be changed in order to strengthen the contest and maintain its “positive” character.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!

Source: RTL Boulevard

Liechtenstein: Radio Liechtenstein will apply for EBU membership!

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Radio Liechtenstein is planning to apply for EBU membership according to Liechtensteiner Vaterland.

Liechtenstein newspaper Liechtensteiner Vaterland broke the news.  According to their sources, Radio Liechtenstein is in the process of applying for EBU membership.

In the early 2010s, Liechtenstein showed some interest in becoming a EBU member and competing in the Eurovision Song Contest.   Peter Kolbel, former director of 1 FL TV, the only television station based in the state, was very positive about Liechtenstein participating in Eurovision.  Sadly, plans for Liechtenstein’s participation were halted after Kolbel’s death four years ago.

The Managing Director of the television station 1 FL TV, Sandra Woldt did not follow the path set by her predecessor. Thus the possibility of seeing the state’s debut in the competition was suspended indefinitely.

Radio Liechtenstein was founded in 1995 and is partially funded by the government of Liechtenstein as its only public broadcaster. The radio station is one of two multimedia companies based in Liechtenstein along with 1 FL TV.

If Radio Liechtenstein becomes a member of the EBU, it will become one of thirteen other full members of the EBU that are only radio broadcasters. However, it would be highly unlikely that Radio Liechtenstein would be able to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest, as no radio broadcaster has ever taken part in the event, as the contest requires a televised broadcast in the participating countries.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates on Liechtenstein application to the EBU!

Source: Eurovoix

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Kosovo will apply to compete in Eurovision 2025!

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A few days ago, RTK, the public broadcaster of Kosovo, announced that it plans to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, taking place in Switzerland. Read more