Public broadcaster RTS has confirmed that Serbia will compete in Eurovision 2017. The Balkan state will again be part of Eurovision, with the broadcaster having secured government funding for its new season.
The announcement was made today as part of RTS’s new programme schedule launch. The broadcaster also confirmed that it had started to receive stable funding from the Serbian government via collection of the television license.
Olivera Kovacevic, the head of entertainment programmes, said that the method of selecting Serbia’s act for Kyiv had not been confirmed, but that several methods were being considered, with the suggestion that some sort of public selection would be used. In 2015 Serbia used the national final Odbrojavanje za Bec (Countdown for Vienna) to select Bojana Stamenov, while in 2016 Sanja Vucic was internally selected.
2017 will mark the 10th time Serbia has competed at the Eurovision Song Contest as an independent country. They made their debut at Eurovision in 1961 as part of Yugoslavia, with Serbian acts representing the country six times.
Following the break-up of Yugoslavia, Serbia entered Eurovision in 2004 as part of Serbia and Montenegro. They placed second that year with Zeljko Joksimovic’s song “Lane moje”.
And finally Serbia made its debut as a newly independent nation in 2004, taking home its first win with Marija Serifovic’s power ballad “Molitva”.
Serbia is also participating in Junior Eurovision 2016, with their act for Malta still to be announced.
What do you think? Who should Serbia send to Eurovision 2017? Share your thoughts below!
Still waiting for Kazahstan
By the way,Serbia won with Molitva in 2007,not ’04
I think Serbs should be able to vote/chose from more than just 3 songs and 1 assigned composer. I don’t like that Serbia is very restrictive on composers and has been pre-choosing just 1 composer. I think they should leave it up for many composers, who are interested to submit their songs, to give them the opportunity and for variety. I think there should be at least 6 songs minimum to chose from and at least 6 singers. And preferably they should have a male singer , male group or duet/group with at least one male singer for this coming… Read more »
Welcome again Serbia 🙂 Great news!
After Bulgaria ’16 Serbia might rethink itself in ESC and take some fresh stream. Unlike Montenegro they’re way more recognisable and had real success in past. Somehow I feel optimistic about them.
Dunja Jelicic, last year’s spokesperson, will represent Serbia in Malta with the song “U lalala”
Oh THANK YOU,
SERBIA! My favourite ESC country! I love Molitva, I love Oro, I love Lane Moje! Please sing in Serbian!
still waiting on australia…
Took them long enough! Serbia used to be among the first to confirm, now they among the last! What happened!
I don’t want more ballads, they aren’t as exciting any-more.
I’m assuming Moldova will confirm soon. Don’t know about Australia, no one seems keen to have them?
Robyn !! what is about morrocco? are they say something about its participacion?
Thanks !!!!
Congrats for serbia !!
Nice article as always, but Serbia debuted as an independent country in 2007 instead of 2004 😉
Do you guys spend all summer coming up with these cute little puns to kickoff the thread titles, then keep them on a list to use as needed?
Fingers crossed there’s the return of the Balkan ballad.
I hope they will not sing in english, but I guess is very frustrating when you know that televoters love non-english songs, but the juries don’t. One more reason to hate juries, because of them we have so much english.
I really hope Serbia does not sing in English, they have such a beautiful language that needs to be celebrated!
I think Australia and Moldova will definitely confirm. Taking us to 42. I’m unsure about San Marino, since they can’t find any local talent, just withdrew from JESC, have trouble funding participation, and aren’t keen on the new voting rules. I actually think a Slovak return is quite likely, Ukraine is a neighbour so that keeps costs low (well that didn’t work in Austria I hear you say) but Czech Republic qualified to the final for the first time last year which is a good sign and I’m sure the EBU will let the Slovak broadcaster know about their 2010… Read more »
40 countries confirmed according to Wiki!
We’re just waiting on San Marino, Australia and Moldova from last year.
The rumour mill is also spinning that Slovakia will make a return, and a Turkish return or Kazakh debut can’t be ruled out either.
I really want 2017 to be the biggest contest ever with at least 44 countries!!! <3
Serbia – please don’t sing in English!
Typical Balkan ballad, please. Lots of traditional instruments and group choreography.