Slovakia: The country will not return in Eurovision 2025!
Despite statements from RTVS officials claiming that the broadcaster intends to return to the Eurovision Song Contest, it appears that Slovakia will remain absent for at least one more year. Slovakia will not compete in Eurovision in 2025.
Zuzana Vicelová, Head of the RTVS Communications Department, told “ta3” that the country’s lack of financial resources will prevent it from participating in Eurovision 2025.
Due to the reduced amount of the contribution from the state budget for RTVS, which was decided at the end of 2023, RTVS will not participate in Eurovision in other periods either. The participation of Slovak artists is associated with high financial costs, for which RTVS does not have the resources.
Furthermore, interest in Eurovision remains low in Slovakia, and TV ratings do not support the country’s return.
A hope that did not come true
The impediment to a Slovakian participation for the past decade has been the lack of funding and recourses that RTVS was facing. Although, an alteration in legislation regarding the funding of RTVS from public sources, the elimination of TV license fees and a generous government subsidy will sure relieve the Slovakian Television. As a result, RTVS will see an increase of 46 million euros in its budget, that will definitely not be able to cover all its needs but an important boost will be given.
The aforementioned was the case back in August 2023, however an international event, such as Eurovision, is not in the plans for RTVS.
Slovakia last participated in Eurovision back in 2012 with “Don’t Close Your Eyes” and since the introduction of the Semi-Finals has never managed to qualify to the Grand Final.
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