Last December Bosnia & Herzegovina’s state broadcaster BHRT shocked Eurovision fans when it decided not to participate in Eurovision 2013. In recent months fan web sites have stirred hope of a possible comeback, but the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina at Eurovision doesn’t look so bright.

One year after withdrawing from Eurovision, BHRT is still mired in financial woe just like FTV and RTRS, the other two parts of the country’s public television service. The state broadcaster has had to delay its plans to go digital, and viewers are already suffering. BHRT no longer broadcasts exclusive content, such as the English Football League, Champions League, concerts of big stars, licensed shows and popular series. Private networks in Bosnia and Herzegovina are now winning the race against the state-controlled networks. Viewers are part of the problem: Not all citizens are paying their television license fees on time. Shame on you!

Now we may lose Bosnia and Herzegovina from Eurovision forever. A few days ago, it was reported that B&H has ditched Eurovision in favor of newly founded Turkeyvision. According to Novi Magazin, the move is motivated by the expense of Eurovision. If BHRT can’t afford to participate in the contest, this would be a major coup for the private networks. For years they have wanted to buy the rights to broadcast Eurovision, which BHRT rejected. If Turkeyvision becomes the viewers’ only option, the private networks have won.

Insiders say the band Emir & Frozen Camels will represent them in Turkeyvision. This old rock band reminds us of Albania 2013.

B&H’s withdrawal from Eurovision is still not officially confirmed. When news broke yesterday that they may attend Turkeyvision instead of Eurovision our friends at the oikotimes.com contacted BHRT, who said particpating in Turkeyvision does not rule out participating in Eurovision. We’ll have to wait and see….

Mario Saucedo contributed this report from Croatia. Follow the team from WiwiBloggs.com on Twitter @wiwibloggs. And while you’re at it, like our Facebook page to stay up-to-date with the latest Eurovision news and gossip.

Photo: Eurovision.tv (EBU)

 

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Lilium Bosniakum
Lilium Bosniakum
10 years ago

Money is not a problem for Bosnia attending the contest. It is prolonged war of the Serbia and Croatia against Bosnia and Herzegovina Republic that, with their insider blocking all functions and institutions of the state, including state television. International community was involved in aggression of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Republic since early planning destruction of Yugoslavia 1980. They imposed arm embargo to Bosnia while agreeing with Aggression of the neighbouring states Serbia and Croatia that have done the worst war crime and genocide since WW2. On the top we have traitors, brought to power by the Serbia and Croatia,… Read more »

EurovisionFanatic
EurovisionFanatic
10 years ago

@Comy Did you use a Turkish entry as a pun? “Why can’t Turkey be the same?” 😀 Apart from that… Bosnia and Herzegovina tend to do well if the song’s good (Love in Rewind comes to mind). I don’t think they’ll ditch Eurovision. It’s extremely popular in the country so I’ve heard. The issue with Turkvision is that it’s not a contest which will attract attention from most countries, whereas Eurovision attracts interest from countries not even in Europe (i.e – Australia, America, India, China). Bosnia and Herzegovina should be present at 2014, because sure as heck, if they aren’t,… Read more »

kint brad
10 years ago

Excellent post I’m a huge eurovision fan from Spain

takecare
takecare
10 years ago

omg that picture is hilarious, cracks me up every time i see it =))

Vlad
Vlad
10 years ago

I’m not sure Turkovision will attract the same ratings as Eurovision. Another problem is that Bosnian people, in spite of the close political ties, do not exactly see themselves as a part of Turkish cultural corpus.

David Thielen
10 years ago

If Turkeyvision ends up being a collection of all the lousy acts that vied for last place in ESC, I don’t see it getting much of an audience. This could turn Turkeyvision into a total face-plant.

Eurovisiondco
Eurovisiondco
10 years ago

That Bosnian entry from 2008 is disgusting .. Actually hate it soo much… Tragic ..

Comy
Comy
10 years ago

Damn that Turkeyvision,why Turkey can’t be the same as others???!!!
Bosnia,EUROvision needs you!

Claire Bear
Claire Bear
10 years ago

COME BACK BOSNIA! WE NEED YOU ! XX