bosnia
Bosnia’s Maya Sar

Owing to an ongoing funding crisis, Bosnian broadcaster BHRT has today announced that the country has withdrawn its application for Eurovision 2016 in Stockholm. They did so just one day ahead of the deadline.

For those masochists out there who want to endure just a bit more torture, rest assured: it ain’t over just yet. BHRT is still looking for sponsors — maybe Hari Mata Hari can fund the whole thing on their own?! — and the EBU has granted them the possibility of re-applying before the end of October.

Here’s the broadcaster’s official statement:

Radio Television of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHRT) has withdrawn its application for participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016, within the deadline for withdrawal without financial consequences, with the possibility of a subsequent application for participation in the competition for the best song of Europe.

The decision was taken after intense negotiations with the EBU, who indicated that this time, in view of the difficult financial situation BHRT caused by the drastic fall in income from the license fee, Bosnia and Herzegovina could still participate if this broadcaster finds an sponsor or provides financial means by the end of October. This could bring Bosnia back to this prestigious competition and give an opportunity to shows potentials of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the widest European audience.

Bearing in mind the interests of the public, BHRT, together with its business partners, promises to make every effort to provide funds for the participation of BHRT, the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Stockholm.

We invite all interested to contact us, to be a part of the ESC in 2016, and to be promoted in the best and the most watched programs of Radio Television of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

As in the last three years, the Bosnians just keep playing games with our hearts. We know they’re trying, but perhaps its best to assume they won’t be in Stockholm. Don’t wanna get our hopes up and all that…

The country’s public television tax is among the lowest in Europe, and even the EBU has been clear about their fears the station might collapse.

On the other hand, many artists have expressed their support for a Bosnian comeback, including former Eurovision stars Dino Merlin, Hari Mata Hari and Marija Sestic, who would like to become the Valentina Monetta of the Balkans!

We seriously hope that Bosnia and Herzegovina will receive the support they need to get back to Eurovision this year. If any very wealthy person is reading this and is willing to get a bit of self-promotion in Bosnia and Herzegovina, there is a certain public broadcaster who would be interested in helping…

FOLLOW ALL OUR BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA NEWS HERE!

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Mario esc fan
Mario esc fan
8 years ago

@ LoooL…! 🙂 Indeed Jo 😉 hehe..
I had wrote in my comment on the fb page of WB refering to Bill Gates instead! 😛 With even tagging him! 😉

Azaad
Azaad
8 years ago

escfan1234: the problem isn’t with a country’s economy- the Greek station always has some funds to participate if not actually host the contest. It’s with the network’s funds, and due to some chance or the other the Bosnian station lacks any funds.

The on the fence response of Turkey probably prompted them to withdraw as well.

But you would think that having a flawless qualification record would prompt them to actually participate, unlike Portugal.

Jo Mercado
Jo Mercado
8 years ago

Maybe the Ukranian guy who represented Moldova can lend some money…

CHOU
CHOU
8 years ago

Same déjà vu every year

PP
PP
8 years ago

If Turkey participate, Bosnia wili be participate without story of how, they don t money for Eurovision. Bosnia=Turkey

esc1234
esc1234
8 years ago

Come on, Greece is in worst situation and we always manage to take part….they can do something if they try…

Erin
Erin
8 years ago

@Robyn – That’s encouraging to hear. It wouldn’t be the same without most of the bunch.

Mario esc fan
Mario esc fan
8 years ago

I expect 4 Bosnia & all the rest countries that will not join us in 2016 to return 4 sure in 2017 though…This time 4 real indeed..

Foxreyna
Foxreyna
8 years ago

THAT’S IT, I DON’T CARE FOR BOSNIA ANYMORE I WANT THEM BACK. I’m not letting them leave me hanging on Maya Sar. I’VE BEEN TEASED ALL THESE YEARS, AND GET HOPE THEY WILL RETURN THIS YEAR, BUT THEY DON’T. #RiotBHRT2016

Racal
Racal
8 years ago

As I have already said under previous articles, to me Bosnia equals bad songs and neighboring/political voting. Will certainly not be sad if they don’t join in Stockholm…

Mario esc fan
Mario esc fan
8 years ago

I was expecting most probably 4 Bosnia to withdraw though.. Maybe there is still possibility 4 them to join us but i doubt 4 that scenario.. And it looks like that Croatia & Turkey will follow Bosnia,Portugal & Slovakia & they will not return too.. So,with Serbia & Moldova hopefully confirming their participation along with Bulgaria & Ukraine returning {the only 2 countries that will do this among the 4 others that will not} and with Australia returning again we will have 41 countries in the Vision of 2016…Just one more than the number of this year’s Vision…I find it… Read more »

Erin
Erin
8 years ago

Isn’t it odd that the countries which haven’t yet approved their participation prior to the October 10th deadline (excluding Australia and Turkey) are all Balkan? Romania, Moldova, Hungary, Serbia and Croatia share common borders and seem to have coordinated a joint strategy in regards to the 2016 participation.
This could all be a coincidence, but it makes you wonder why they’re still sitting on the fences this time around.

Mei International
Mei International
8 years ago

This seems to happen every year

mocosuburbian
mocosuburbian
8 years ago

what a surprise (eyeroll)

DenizNL
DenizNL
8 years ago

Yeahh, it’s not like we didn’t expect it right? At least they are trying their best.

cheesecake
cheesecake
8 years ago

I already thought that would happen. Oh well…

sjkdjd
sjkdjd
8 years ago

@Azaad, forget Portugal and its past! I am Portuguese and I’m tired of criticism of my country, although I agree but let me always sad. We will come back in 2017 for to surprise (I hope it, hope never dies)! 🙂

Denis
Denis
8 years ago

No real surprises here. I stopped wishing and hoping two years ago:(
The only way a participation could happen is if an interested artist pays for everything himself, a very rich Bosnian pays for everything(unlikely, they keep their money to themselves) , BHRT makes it a law to pay television tax or if BHRT collaborates with a tourist organisation or something.
Sadly, none of these options are likely to happen.

Azaad
Azaad
8 years ago

This is sad because unlike Portugal, Bosnia and Herzegovina always send good entries that manage to reflect their national identity while actually being musically sound and well written (case in point they should’ve won in 2006).

It depends on whether or not Turkey chooses to confirm. If that happens then Bosnia and Herzegovina might do as well. If not they definitely won’t. Hopefully the station gets more money or they send in a rich act who could finance the participation.

Herr Freitag
Herr Freitag
8 years ago

Still sad that they have no money but I really hope for a sponsor and that they finally come back in 2016! I miss them :/ #bosnia&herzegovinaforesc2016 😉

Vinnarenavalla
Vinnarenavalla
8 years ago

BHRT please. STOP WITH THIS! 🙁

Comi
Comi
8 years ago

FFS WHY THEY DO THIS? 🙁 I was hoping they would finally return, oh well