Romania’s participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 is under serious review, as the president of state broadcaster TVR has revealed that the Romanian national television might have to close next spring on the eve of the contest.

Stelian Tanase, the president of TVR, told Romanian news agency Mediafax on Wednesday that the state broadcaster is unlikely to survive financially and that it might be forced to shut down next spring, for at least a month, and then rebrand itself and reopen. This, of course, would spell disaster for Romania’s chances to take part in the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. Not only would Selectia Nationala be threatened, but the very participation will be seriously affected, if not entirely dismissed.

TVR’s financial problems started with the economic crisis and, despite consistent efforts to save the broadcaster, including effectively firing a third of the staff in 2012, the situation at the Romanian broadcaster has been going from bad to worse.

It is worth saying that TVR holds the Eurovision Song Contest in high regard as it’s one of its main audience draws each year. TVR sees Romania’s presence on the European music stage as a top priority.

The country’s best Eurovision finish to date is  shared by Luminita Anghel and Sistem in 2005 and Paula Seling and Ovi in 2010, who both finished third with “Let Me Try”and “Playing With Fire” respectively. Despite putting on a good show year after year and always qualifying for the Grand Final, the Eastern European country has so far failed to gather enough points to win. And, considering TVR’s current state, one has to wonder how Romania would even host the contest if it did.

 

Update: Irina Radu, program director at TVR, announced today that TVR “wants” to maintain Romania’s presence at Eurovision: “The board of diectors already approved this decision earlier this year, so we have time to look for funds and to take care of the international promotion,” she added. This, however, was before Stelian Tanase announced that TVR’s problems are insurmountable and that a shut-down is practically unavoidable. Nonetheless, we appreciate TVR’s willingness to keep Romania on the Eurovision stage and hope for the best for 2015.

Would you miss Romania next year if TVR fails to sort out its financial issues?

Photo: Andres Putting (EBU)

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Yudhistira Mahasena
9 years ago

I wish Romania didn’t have to sit out from Eurovision next year, because next year I want them to win…

Bledar Leka
Bledar Leka
9 years ago

Noooooooooooooooooo!!!!! Stories like this make me worry about other poorer countries – like my home country Albania, Moldova, Georgia, etc., but I think that if Albania withdraw it would be bad results or low viewing figures

Victoria
Victoria
9 years ago

Romania is one of the best ?ountries in ESC with the best performances every year!! They make Eurovision interesting :**

Duff
Duff
9 years ago

Maybe they shouldn’t have spent so much money on the “Miracle” video that they stopped promoting after the comparisons to “Dancing in the Rain” were made. But let’s not hope for withdrawals from the 60th and hope only for returns!

beccaboo1212
beccaboo1212
9 years ago

No! Eurovision NEEDS Romania!

Charles
Charles
9 years ago

As far as Romania goes, or any other country withdrawing because they are entitled to it, allow me o quote the following now world widely know musical line:
“I got one less problem without you, I got one less problem without you, I got one less, one less problem …”

Whoever takes part in 2015 competition, just do me a favour and make sure your music is worth listening to … otherwise I couldn’t care less if you are Spanish, Irish or Romanian … make it work, make it good. Period.

Alex
Alex
9 years ago

Noooooooo :/

Deven O'Kearney
Deven O'Kearney
9 years ago

At least we might be getting Serbia and Bulgaria back. But still, don’t go Romania. 🙁

escspain
escspain
9 years ago

Romania will not leave.If the goverment invest money in TVR like the spanish one in tve a shut down can be ruled out. Eurovision is one of the main programmes for them,specialy if it’s the 60th edition.President and Program director are colleages and it’s no matter who was first.

Calvin
Calvin
9 years ago

I don’t see Romania leaving Eurovision; they’ll find some plan along Greece’s lines last year (they’re probably a lot more likely to do that than Israel).

gaudi121
gaudi121
9 years ago

I think that we should stop going to Eurovision.It is a waiste of time and money.No good artist has been sent to Eurovision in the last 14 years.Also the entries are not representative for Romania at all!

anonymous
anonymous
9 years ago

NO ROMANIA NO!!!!! THE ONLY COUNTRY WITH A DECENT SONG EVERY YEAR DON’T DO THIS TO US!!!!!

Darren
Darren
9 years ago

I would be really disappointed if Romania withdraw from ESC next year, they are one of my favorite countries in the contest and out of the particular group of nations who always qualify, regardless of song (Russia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Greece) they actually deserve to qualify every year because they always make the effort and bring a big performance and top quality song to the stage.
Dont withdraw Romania…please!!!!!!!!

Darren
Darren
9 years ago

I would be really disappointed if Romania withdraw from ESC next year, they are one of my favorite countries i the contest and out of the particular group of nations who always qualify, regardless of song (Russia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Greece) they actually deserve to qualify every year because they always make the effort and bring a big performance and top quality song to the stage.
Dont withdraw Romania…please!!!!!!!!

Deniz@TurkNL
Deniz@TurkNL
9 years ago

Looks like we are not getting to the 40 countries ;(

Gabriel
Gabriel
9 years ago

So disappointed… I hope we’ll participate in 2015. 🙁 I want a MIRACLE.

D
D
9 years ago

I’ve only liked one Romanian entry ever, but that doesn’t matter to me. I hate seeing countries withdraw, and I hope that Romania will be able to stay. Is there any other broadcasters who can broadcast the show and finance Romania’s participation if TVR does have to close? At least if they do have to withdraw this year they’ll probably be back in 2016.

Renske
Renske
9 years ago

NO!!! Romania is one of those countries you can’t miss on Eurovision!

Timselvision
Timselvision
9 years ago

Romania is one of my favorite ESC countries, so hell no to non-participation! O.o