Denmark pulled Eurovision off perfectly. It delivered three entertaining shows, which likely explain why they attracted record ratings. But were all the flash, pangs and LED screens worth the price tag?

The Copenhagen Post reports that this year’s Eurovision has actually resulted in losses of 20.3 million kroner, which is around 2.7 million euros. Those in-the-know expect that more bills will appear in the coming weeks and months.

Wonderful Copenhagen, the company behind the event, reduced the reported expense of the contest by factoring in the sale of 8.5 million kroners worth of installations. The catch is that these installations have not actually been sold.

“It is pure speculation whether they can sell these installations and reduce the losses,” Anders Drejer of Aalborg University has said. “But they have no clear idea.”

There is even talk that a subsidiary of Wonderful Copenhagen could come to legal blows with DR, Denmark’s state broadcaster, over various loans. Drama!

Losing money is a shame, but the technology and the amount of staff in action in B&W Hallerne makes it somewhat understandable. Glamour doesn’t come cheap, y’all. Here’s a bit of the stage in action:

Do you think that Europe’s Favourite TV Show is really worth the cost? Let us know in the comments section below.

Photo Source: eurovision.tv (EBU)

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Deven O'Kearney
9 years ago

Yeah. Harland and Wolff’s shipyards can house up to 20,000 die hard Eurovision fans if it can house 20,000 sweaty men building a ship.

DR
DR
9 years ago

@Deven O’Kearney

Ireland should get automatic placing but many countries would feel it was unfair that Ireland gets a free go without winning.

The only suitable arena, The Odessy, is a bit too small. It only has seating for 8,500, even though wikipedia says it has over 10,000+, which I assume includes standing aswell. Unless we can use some of the shipyards, which Belfast is famous for.

Deven O'Kearney
Deven O'Kearney
9 years ago

It would be amazing for the 2 most successful countries to co-host ESC in the near future. It has never happened before and in a way, it could really expand the ESC.

As for Davina McCall hosting it with Dermot O’Leary, I really would not mind that. She’s like the UK’s Petra Mede and Dermot is the UK/Ireland’s Kristian Luuk.

If the 2 countries co-host ESC 2016 in Belfast, Could Ireland get an automatic place in the final regardless where it placed.

DR
DR
9 years ago

@Deven O’Kearney

A agree entirly. I though of Davina Macall too. She is half french and can speak fluent fluent french. We need to write to BBC and RTÉ and get them to agree it.

However with both our recent records in the show, even being the top two best countries of all time, with seven Irish wins, Five British and 19 silver medals, 15 british, makes it look like it is a distant dream for the first cross-boarder ESC.

Deven O'Kearney
9 years ago

Hi DR Sorry I couldn’t get back to you earlier. I was in my last Junior Cert exam EVER. But yeah, I would be honored if Ireland and The UK co-hosted Eurovision in the near future. We could even throw in Dermot O’Leary and he would be the Irish host whilst Davina McCall can be the UK host. Belfast could stage a phenominal show. If The UK win, I think that RTE should take up on the BBC’s offer to co-host ESC 2016 with them. Likewise if Ireland win in 2015, they could invite The UK to join in the… Read more »

MTD
MTD
9 years ago

It can be made cheaper, yes.

Countries do not like to make it cheaper, yes.

Problem.

Darren
Darren
9 years ago

@DR
RTE hate spending the money on anything worthwhile…but I am pretty sure now, that the Irish people would be glad to work with our neighbors. The past is the past we have both moved forward together and UK and Ireland are the best of friends.

DR
DR
9 years ago

@Deven O’Kearney

Only if the irish want it. In the ninties the BBC offered the RTÉ a joint production in Belfast if Ireland couldn’t afford to host again, but RTÉ declined.
I know Belfast could host a big show. And theirs rumors that the BBC wont host in England again.
I do think it would be nice to share the celebrations, with our shared history, even if one forced it apon the other. But I don’t think Ireland would share the same courtisy.

Would you like to share it?

Deven O'Kearney
9 years ago

DR

If the UK win in 2015, do you think that they will incorporate Ireland into their Eurovision celebrations like with the Olympics?

DR
DR
9 years ago

weren’t the odds so good for UK, they started putting feelers out for hosting next year.
And the BBC has been quoted as saying they want to return our winning ways. I hope we can, coz so many said in the comments of many articles they want us to host, we can afford it, and the olympics showed we can but on one hell of a global event.
Look out Europe, the UK (with or without Scotland), is coming to take the crown next year.

dhani
9 years ago

no hey didnt 2013 contest sucked everything was small and it felt like svt wanted to kill esc

Deven O'Kearney
9 years ago

Copenhagen 2001 was a disastrous contest.
Copenhagen 2014 was an outstanding contest.

Well Done Denmark.

PS: Dhani, I thought SVT staged an excellent show in 2013.

Tiggeh
Tiggeh
9 years ago

To say the UK doesn’t wanna host Eurovision is poppycock.

We desperately wanted to win this year….just Europe didn’t agree with us.

Dhani
9 years ago

yes it is worth it !!! i hope we will never see a cheap and boring show like the one I’m malmö last year ever again!!! this year broad the contest back on track again yes !!!Please austria host a BIG eurovision !!!!

Kyle
Kyle
9 years ago

Except that “losing money” does not mean anyone actually lost money — these are accounting losses, not actual losses. It’s all magic — if someone were truly bankrupt, you’d hear different reports.

gavin
9 years ago

Eurovision needs to be a prize if you win, not a burden. Then again Sweden seemed to really turn the tables offering a good show at a lower budget and many people complained. Hmmmm whats the solution?

beccaboo1212
9 years ago

Man, I hope the following return to Eurovision next year:
01. Natalia (Austria 2013)
02. Sinead Mulvey (Ireland 2009)
03. Dorians (Armenia 2013)
04. Pollaponk (Iceland 2014)
05. Iris (Belgium 2012)
06. Cleo (Poland 2014; hopefully there won’t be any ‘cleavage’)
07. Molly (UK 2014)
08. Dina Garipova (Russia 2013)
09. Emma (Italy 2014)
10. Helena Paparizou (Greece 2005)

Darren
Darren
9 years ago

I hope Denmark doesnt take the Irish or the British way out now and send rubbish acts every year because they dont want the burden of hosting it.
Denmark is one of my favorite Eurovision countries, along with Sweden, France and Germany. I really hope they keep sending quality acts.

David Thielen
9 years ago

Do they take into account the increased tourism both directly during the event and the increase over the next year or two that comes from it?