The mid-September deadline has passed, meaning that every country who is considering entering Eurovision 2017 will have filed their application with the EBU. Since then we’ve seen a flood of confirmations, making a total of 41 countries planning for Kyiv but there are some notable absences from that list. Let’s take a look at the two countries who are yet to publicly confirm their participation next year, matched with our picks from the Wednesday Wishlist.

Not all countries who are intending to participate in Eurovision 2017 have made this news public yet. Some may be holding off until they have more details sorted out, and others may currently be focusing on their Junior Eurovision entry. But it is also possible that some of them won’t be on board for 2017.

Australia

Last year’s announcement: Mid November
Wednesday Wishlist: The Veronicas

Australia do not yet have a guaranteed placed in Eurovision and have previously participated on a year-by-year basis, so broadcaster SBS would again have to be invited by the EBU. News reports from May suggest that Australia has been negotiating with the EBU to participate in 2017.

Azerbaijan

Last year’s announcement: Mid September
Wednesday Wishlist pick: Latifa Soyuoz

It’s been a few years since Azerbaijan last placed in the top ten, but they’re still considered one of the power countries of Eurovision, always qualifying for the grand final. Broadcaster ITV have not confirmed their involvement for 2017, but we’re expecting to see them in Ukraine, likely using internal selection to choose their act. Update: Azerbaijan has confirmed!

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Last year’s announcement: Late November
Wednesday Wishlist pick: Dubioza Kolektiv

Things aren’t looking promising for Bosnia and Herzegovina. BHRT has had to deal with a substantial debt to the EBU, meaning that entering Eurovision is not a financial priority for the broadcaster. They would most likely only participate if sponsors could be found to cover the full costs of an internally selected artist. Update: BHRT has stated that due to financial issues, Bosnia and Herzegovina will not take part in ESC 2017.

Bulgaria

Last year’s announcement: Late November
Wednesday Wishlist pick: Gery-Nikol

Back in May, Bulgaria’s Eurovision Twitter account got fans excited with a tweet mentioning they’d be headed “back to Kiev where it started for us”. However, since then BNT have not officially confirmed their involvement. But after Poli Genova’s stellar fourth place in Stockholm, it seems likely that Bulgaria will return. Bulgaria’s current focus is on Junior Eurovision. Update: Bulgaria has filed its initial application, but needs approval from the broadcaster’s board of directors before it can confirm.

Georgia

Last year’s announcement: Mid September
Wednesday Wishlist pick: NINI

We haven’t heard from the Georgian Public Broadcaster, but they’re a regular competitor, so it seems likely they’ll enter again. Georgia are currently involved with their Junior Eurovision entry. Update: Georgia has confirmed!

Greece

Last year’s announcement: Late August
Wednesday Wishlist pick: Kings

Rumours in Greek media suggest that ERT has been working behind the scenes, but the broadcaster is keeping extremely quiet and has not officially confirmed Greece’s participation in Eurovision 2017. The only thing known is that the president of ERT — who was responsible for internally selecting Argo — is no longer in charge of Greece’s Eurovision efforts. That role has gone to ERT’s CEO, Lambis Tagmatarhis. If Greece does participate, it’s thought that they will again use internal selection. Update: Greece has confirmed!

Moldova

Last year’s announcement: Mid October
Wednesday Wishlist pick: Irina Rimes

Broadcaster TRM has not confirmed Moldova’s involvement, but we’re assuming that Moldova will be back with the O melodie pentru Europa national final. We’re also waiting to see what Sasha Bognibov has written for his 2017 entry. Update: According to the Ukraine broadcaster, Moldova has confirmed!

Montenegro

Last year’s announcement: Early October
Wednesday Wishlist pick: Jovana Mustur

Singer Milena Vucic is interested in representing Montenegro and has informally discussed this with RTCG, but the broadcaster is yet to confirm their participation in Eurovision 2017. Update: Montenegro has confirmed, but may withdraw at a later date.

Romania

Last year’s announcement: Mid September
Wednesday Wishlist pick: Delia

Romania still has an outstanding issue with the EBU after its member benefits were suspended earlier this year due to a substantial long-term unpaid debt to the EBU. Update: TVR has given the EBU their application for Eurovision 2017 and the broadcaster has sorted out the debt issues, so Romania is back!

Russia

Last year’s announcement: Late November
Wednesday Wishlist pick: Egor Kreed

Russia’s Channel One is yet to formally announce their participation in Eurovision 2017. Due to Russia and Ukraine not exactly being besties right now, it’s been speculated that Russia may choose to sit out ESC 2017, but there’s no evidence that this will actually happen. Russia are currently involved with Junior Eurovision and may announce their ESC act after JESC. Update: While Russia still has not officially confirmed, Zurab Alasania, the General Director of the National Television Company of Ukraine, has revealed that Russia very much intends to compete in Eurovision 2017.

San Marino

Last year’s announcement: Late September
Wednesday Wishlist pick: Delayers

Broadcaster SMRTV has expressed displeasure with the new voting system, specifically the composite televote for San Marino. They are also threatening to take legal action over Serhat not having been able to use holograms in Stockholm. If San Marino were to compete in 2017, they would likely form a partnership with an interested creative person wanting to enter Eurovision on behalf of the mountainous microstate. Update: San Marino has been dropping very strong hints but they haven’t confirmed their participation for 2017.

Serbia

Last year’s announcement: Late November
Wednesday Wishlist pick: Zap Me Strobe

We haven’t heard from RTS whether Serbia will be back for another year. If they were to return, an internally selected entry would be likely. The Balkan nation is currently focusing on its participation in Junior Eurovision. Update: Serbia has confirmed!

Slovakia

Last announcement: December 2011
Wednesday Wishlist pick: Mária Cirová

Let’s be honest – things aren’t looking great for Slovakia. They haven’t been part of the competition since 2012, and the last time they performed in the final was 1998. But there are still those who remain hopeful that Slovakia will one day return. RTVS have said that the cost of participating in Eurovision is what’s keeping them away, with the broadcaster’s focus being on local productions. However, an official decision has not yet been made. Update: Broadcaster RTVS has confirmed to fan media that they will not participate in 2017.

Turkey

Last announcement: September 2011
Wednesday Wishlist pick: Murat Ceylan

Despite being regular competitors since the 1970s, Turkey called it quits after 2012. Every year there is talk of Turkey’s return, but it’s yet to happen. Broadcaster TRT reportedly sent a letter to the EBU in May saying they would participate, but there’s been no follow-up on this. Recent political events make a return for Turkey in 2017 seem less likely. Update: While an official response has not been made by TRT or the EBU, the director-general of host broadcaster NTU has tweeted that TRT have refused the invitation for 2017.

Other countries

  • Kosovo – national broadcaster RTK is not currently a member of the EBU so is therefore not eligible to participate in Eurovision.
  • Kazakhstan – like Australia, broadcaster Khabar Agency is only an associate member of the EBU and would need to be specially invited by the EBU.
  • China, United States, etc – like Kazakhstan and Australia, the broadcasters of these countries are only associate members of the EBU. They only way they could appear in the song contest is by special invitation. It is unlikely that this would extend to more than one country, if any.

KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST EUROVISION 2017 NEWS HERE

42 Comments
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Ryan
Ryan
7 years ago

@EsCFan (sorry for late reply)
I don’t really know,I could see them withdrawing for a year or two,they barely did qualify though (placing 10/18) they deserved better than 18th,and I think because the juries always let them down,that might influence the decision.

AM Casablancas
AM Casablancas
7 years ago

DELAYERS sounds like Years & Years!
WE NEED THAT SAN MARINO PLS!

EsCfan
EsCfan
7 years ago

@Kris: Kosovo is de facto indipendent, but regarding UN resolution 1244 from 1999 it is a part of Serbia in the UN and therefore cannot be an EBU member and won’t participate in Eurovision. But actually they participate every year: as a part of Serbia.

Kris
Kris
7 years ago

It appears Montenegro have given confirmation

Kris
Kris
7 years ago

I thought Kosovo is independent…… I saw kelmendi win judo gold medal at Olympics for Kosovo…..:/

KennyESC
KennyESC
7 years ago

@an esc fan It’s different. 🙁 Armenia and Azerbaijan are like Serbia and Albania, they recognize each other(I don’t know about Armenia & Azerbaijan, but like Serbia & Albania they were friends in the past too?), but are fighting about a piece of land that is of one of the two de facto(Nagorno-Karabakh is de facto Armenian while Kosovo is de facto Albanian), but de jure and by United Nations are of the other one(Nagorno-Karabakh an Azerbaijan’s region while Kosovo a Serbia’s region), while these two(NB & Kosovo)wants to be independent from the two that are contending them each other.… Read more »

an esc fan
an esc fan
7 years ago

It will be nice to see new countries, but I guess that EBU must send the invitations, not NTU, this is what I think, because EBU knows about membership and fees.
Also, if Armenia and Azerbaijan, being at war with each other, could participate, then I guess that arabic countries could join with Israel.

KennyESC
KennyESC
7 years ago

I just hope we will have a debuting country at Kiev. Maybe NTU will invite Kazakhstan? As they are each other ex-USSR countries and they are not far from each other, maybe NTU will invite them to Kiev and they will become like Australia. But you know what I would like a lot? An arabic country. Tunisia, Lebanon, Morocco, Algeria, Egypt. Lebanon & Algeria aren’t possible because of Israel, but Morocco, Tunisia & Egypt do recognize them. Plus, if Tunisia & Morocco aren’t partecipating more because of Israel, they could have partecipated in a lot of editions whereas Israel haven’t.… Read more »

EsCfan
EsCfan
7 years ago

I think the next debuting we will be Kasakhstan. I think China and USA cannot participate as the Australian participation was an exception. And Kosovo is technically no independent country, no EBU member and no UN member and a part of Serbia (regarding UN reolutuin 1244 from 1999).

Ern
Ern
7 years ago

Kings for Greece ???

True, Greece has used rap 3 times so far, and they even managed to get into the top 10 once w/ Loukas Yiorkas & Stereo Mike — I think it was the ONLY time rap made the top 10.

But, it’s a rather risky strategy to use rap.

miguel
miguel
7 years ago

I hope San Marino keeps in the contest and Australio no!

Plum
Plum
7 years ago

@johanleekens
Nothing weird, no hints, nothing annoying anybody.

johanleekens
johanleekens
7 years ago

@Plum,
look at the three ballads about peace from 2013-2015.
Really, ballads about peace from Russia?
It’s kind of weird, right?

Plum
Plum
7 years ago

@johanleekens
I am amazed by your comment. Russia has never sent any song to annoy anybody and you won’t be able to give the proof of the of the oppozite.
Hope Russia will just miss 2017.

Alenn
Alenn
7 years ago

@EsCfan:

So, you mean it’s possible that all those countries not yet confirmed-and maybe other countries as well, like Slovakia-have applied and they just keep it secret? That’s interesting… Maybe we already have a record number of participants and only EBU people know…

EsCfan
EsCfan
7 years ago

@Ryan: Why do you think Serbia will withdraw. They absolutely have no reasons for that!

Gilmour
Gilmour
7 years ago

Bulgaria and Serbia will confirm soon since they where in the final Georgia and Azerbaijan too Montengro too , i doubt Moldova since they have financial problems like Romania , but i think Romania will manage to find funds and Bosnia will try to find sponsors , San Marino where angry but they said they will try to find a fairer way , which means they are still intrested , since Czech republic qualified Slovakia might give it a try and Turkey too since they are close to Ukraine , Austrlia will probably be invited again unfortunately

Ryan
Ryan
7 years ago

Predictions :
Soon To Be Confirmed : Montenegro,Moldova,Azerbaijan,Georgia,Greece
Possibly Confirming : Russia,Bulgaria,Australia
Withdrawals : Bosnia & Herzegovina (2-3 Yrs),San Marino (2-3 Yrs),Serbia (1 Yr)

Romania will not return imo

KennyESC
KennyESC
7 years ago

@Alenn no, I was saying countries who have stated interest in partecipating. (Ugh, I have forgotten about Liechtenstein. But do they even have the money to enter EBU?)
Btw I hope there will be some countries debuting in Kiev(like in 2005!). Oh, and maybe with a record of partecipating. Because we all know SVT wanted the record, but then Romania was disqualified. Just to make them angry. :p
(Just joking, don’t hate me swedish fans. :p)

EsCfan
EsCfan
7 years ago

@Racal: Yes, That’s right, the countries could apply until September 15, but it’s up to the country when they will announce news. For example last year Serbia didn’t confirm their participation, but they applied in September and EBU confirmed the participation in November. The first thing we heard from Serbia last year about ESC was at the beginning of March(!).

Racal
Racal
7 years ago

Hey Wiwibloggs, maybe you can explain but I don’t really understand the confirmation process: wasn’t September 15 the deadline (with possible withdrawal until October 10)? So shouldn’t we have the full list by now?

cheesecake
cheesecake
7 years ago

Bosnia, Moldova, Romania and San Marino are likely to withdraw in my eyes. The others listed should be in Kyiv.
Maybe Kosovo as well? I think they’ll join soon, definitely in the next two years or so.

Laburnum
Laburnum
7 years ago

I think all these countries will participate, except Bosnia and Herzegovina. If San Marino were really angry about the holograms, I think we would have heard about it much earlier.

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
7 years ago

I am sure that Australia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Bulgaria, Montenegro and Serbia are going to confirm. I think Romania will return, and i hope Turkey will too. I think San Marino is going to participate, but they might pull out out of nowhere like in JESC. I am REALLY worried about Moldova, and it’s more likely that they will withdraw than confirm.

EsCfan
EsCfan
7 years ago

Who or what is Zap me strobe and Katamana (SRB)?! WE want Jelena Karleusa!!! 😉

an esc fan
an esc fan
7 years ago

EBU wants as many countries as possible, imagine a year with not enough countries for two semifinals, it will be embarrassing for EBU, and maybe the show will be modest. It will even mean the end of ESC as we knew it in the last 10 years.

johanleekens
johanleekens
7 years ago

I am 99% sure Russia will participate and send a song to annoy Ukraine, they will reach the final with whatever it is that they send.
It is probably gonna be a ballad about peace or a song that promotes Russia or something like that.
I don’t think they will withdraw.
I am extremely worried about Moldova and Serbia (just a feeling).

khm
khm
7 years ago

And TBH, I wouldn’t be so suprised if Slovakia returns to th contest. The ratings of Slovakian public broadcaster are poor and they need a big event to rise them. And let’s not forget their neighbours qualified to the final.

khm
khm
7 years ago

KennyESC
No, SVT only said they will help them with the organization of the contest, not financially.

Alenn
Alenn
7 years ago

@KennyESC:
“And maybe add Qatar, Kazakhtsan, China, Kosovo and New Zealand to the party? :DD”

And maybe Papua New Guinea as well, why not? 😀

KennyESC
KennyESC
7 years ago

For me, these will confirm: Australia Azerbaijan Bulgaria Georgia Greece Moldova Montenegro Russia Serbia So we will have 42 countries. I think that Bosnia & Herzegovina will try to partecipate but will be like Romania 2016, and Romania will not partecipate this year too because of EBU. San Marino for me is still angry for the holograms and will not partecipate. Am I wrong or their loved SVT will help NTU by funding the contest? I don’t think Slovakia will come back so soon – if coming back at all – they are like Andorra, poor countries with poor results.… Read more »

(J)ESC Fanatic
(J)ESC Fanatic
7 years ago

I hope my country, Greece officially confirms but I’m worried ERT is so silent…

And I also want Slovakia to return but it doesn’t seem likely…

Azaad
Azaad
7 years ago

didn’t russia already confirm?

stephen podesta
stephen podesta
7 years ago

Australia will participate if they are invited by Ukraine and the EBU and they both have to agree, it will be a last minute thing again like previous years. just don’t want the veronicas to go, don’t like there image at all to dark and NOT family friendly.

Sabi
Sabi
7 years ago

Russia taking part confirmation always is on December!

BTW.. Where is Slovakia and Turkey awaiting for confirming their participation? I doubt that both Ukraine neighbours will not participate in ESC 2017, specially Turkey given the fact that Jamala is half-Turkish (Crimean Tartar) and their winning song make the headlines here! Also Turkey and Ukraine had good relationships ))

joff
joff
7 years ago

news about Slovakia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo and maybe Turkey?

Marco
Marco
7 years ago

Holy crap,NINI is …..Perfection! LOVE IT!Internal selection and NINI for Georgia…NOW!

Adrian Kavanagh
7 years ago

Robyn – any likelihood, in your opinion, of a return to the contest this year for countries such as Slovakia or Turkey?

nene
nene
7 years ago

has russia already confirmed?

ESC84
ESC84
7 years ago

Is there any local news of confirmation from Russia, except the one from Eurovision.tv?

DenizNL
DenizNL
7 years ago

I hope they all confirm, but I have the feeling either one or two of them are going to withdraw from the contest.

PP
PP
7 years ago

Eurovison 2017 without EBU baby Australia is not Eurovision song contest . EBU wili push wiht Jon and other to Australia participate every year and maybe win thank to overrated juries points like in 2016 and 2015. I think Australia wili have over 400 points with juries at Eurovision 2017 and 150 from televote is enough for win.