The updates are rapid on the issue regarding the conflict between ERT and RIK because of the hosting of the Fame Story reality show by the latter, in collaboration with PANIK Records, STAR Channel and Barking Well Media. The gap remains open and for this reason, according to our exclusive information, a teleconference is about to be held by the EBU the coming days, in order the situation to be discussed by the two sides and a solution to be found.
The story
The conflict between the two public broadcasters emerged after RIK decided to collaborate with Barking Well Media company of Nikos Koklonis, the Star Channel (private broadcaster) and the PANIK RECORDS for the organisation of the reality show named Fame Story, which will be broadcast simultaneously in Greece by Star Channel and in Cyprus by RIK.
The relevant trailer of the aforementioned show, in which despite that Eurovision is not mentioned as the award but Europe’s biggest music contest, was the last straw for ERT, which considers that their exclusive rights on the competition in Greece are violated.
The EBU after the request of the current ERT’s administration by Mr Constantinos Zoulias proceed with an update of the regulations regarding the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest which were sent to all members.
Fame Story’s complicity?
The new regulations enacted by the EBU, after ERT’s intervention, impede the realization of the talent show, at least as far as the representation of Cyprus at the 68th Eurovision Song Contest as the award, just as it is implied by the relevant trailer still broadcast by the Star Channel.
EBU’s intervention
After the publication of the relevant trailer, the EBU, in a letter, asked RIK to clarify the details regarding Fame Story and whether the realization of this show in Greece, by a private television station, violates the above mentioned regulations of the upcoming music competition .
Of course, this intervention was not accidental at all, just like the revision of the competition regulations, but it came after the protests of ERT, whose exclusivity in the television and commercial exploitation of Eurovision in Greece is being violated, an exclusivity for which it spends approximately 360,000 Euro per year.
RIK “announces” national selection in Nicosia
As you first read from Eurovision Fun (here), RIK sent a reply letter to the EBU in which it claims that Fame Story is not a national final, but a talent show, which it will integrate into its entertainment program.
It is also reported that for Eurovision 2024 RIK will choose its representative through internal selection, as it has been doing in recent years. The artist selection will be done through new talent that will emerge from both Fame Story and other young and talented artists.
Finally, it is emphasized in this letter, that the final selection of the song will take place in January 2024 through a televised show, which will take place in Nicosia. All of this, of course, as you understand, contradicts what Nikos Koklonis revealed on air, in his various interviews, and is also included in the Fame Story promo trailer.
In this way, the RIK considers that it can overcome the legal issue that has arisen after the update of the Eurovision 2024 regulations, and now they are awaiting the EBU’s response.
Teleconference for a solution
All the same there is still hope for a possible solution. Representatives of ERT and RIK will meet in a teleconference organized by the EBU in order to discuss the essence of the dispute and to seek some point of contact.
The above means that at least by the time of writing of this very article, both sides are sticking to their positions. The possible representation of Cyprus by the winner or an artist from Fame Story and the refusal of ERT to accept the television and commercial exploitation of the competition by a private television station in Greece.
The aforementioned teleconference is expected within the next days.
Stay tuned on the Eurovision Fun for all the updates around the conflict between ERT and RIK!
