Eurovision 2017 Ukraine hosting Eurovision EBU

In recent months Ukraine has faced a series of unique and high-profile challenges as it prepares to host Eurovision 2017. At times fans have wondered aloud if the contest might be taken away from Ukraine, owing to delays, financial issues and, at times, in-fighting at the state broadcaster. As the contest grows ever closer the threats remain very real indeed. In fact, Alexander Harebin, acting director of broadcaster NTU, has revealed to Ukrainian news outlet TSN that the contest could still be moved away from Ukraine. The EBU will reportedly make a decision on December 8.

It should be noted that in subsequent social media posts, Harebin suggested things will work out fine. He wrote: “While the team of NTU and the team of the EBU work and fight, and this is a struggle, a daily struggle with the system, sabotage, corruption and nepotism, all is well. We can handle it.”

But the TSN interview has still raised plenty of eyebrows, and is worthy of coverage.

The drama appears to have started when the EBU visited Ukraine back in October. At this point, NTU were three months behind schedule. That’s particularly worrying when you consider that it had only been four months since Jamala’s victory. At the time, the EBU released an “update” video highlighting the trip, with Jon Ola Sand speaking about NTU’s preparations.

Looking back on it, some of Jon Ola’s phrasing sets off red flags with Harebin’s recent revelation.

Jon Ola repeatedly mentions the “timeline” being a challenge to hold all three shows. There’s also talk about no confirmation of any venues, bar the Exhibition Centre as the main venue. He also says that the reference group expected “a lot of answers to a lot of questions” when they visited Kyiv in November.

With that in mind, the EBU gave NTU a warning at the time that the contest could be taken away due to the state of planning. Any decision on this would be made on December 8 at a further meeting with the EBU.

Harebin blamed the delays on bureaucracy and a “dismissive attitude” from some officials towards the contest. A good sign is that by the end of October, NTU had reportedly caught up on many of its tasks, and was only one month behind. Unfortunately, perhaps, this was before Harebin’s predecessor, Zurab Alasania, quit NTU. Whilst the broadcaster assured everyone that it wouldn’t delay proceedings, we’re sure that the EBU were not impressed.

At the November meeting, Jon Ola further stated that:

There are hurdles that the authorities have to look into to make sure that the project can move swiftly. It is going well, we have full confidence in NTU and the city authorities but there are still some issues that have not been solved and we are slightly concerned that time is running out. They need to speed up and they need to have the full support of the government in order to make it to the finishing line. We will follow that very very closely.

It seems then that there is indeed a real threat that Ukraine could still lose their hosting gig. We’ll be following this news very closely in the lead up to the decision on December 8.

What do you think about this threat to Eurovision 2017 and the director’s honesty about it? Should the EBU give NTU more time, or have they run out of chances in your eyes? Let us know in the comments section below!

Follow all of our Eurovision 2017 news here

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Magistr
Magistr
7 years ago

As an ukrainian I enjoy this… I enjoy yellow media stories, I enjoy to see scared eurovision fans and I enjoy even russian trolls who tell everywhere about “ukrainian nazi regime”… I think, we need even more drama!!!

Ben Rafter
Ben Rafter
7 years ago

This is interesting – I would like if an Eastern European country finally hosted – seems a while. Ukraine looks like a nice country but if they can’t host then it should be passed to Spain or France, a country everyone can get into safely, has nice weather and that everyone likes.

Daniel
Daniel
7 years ago

Oh, no! I’ve already paid for the flight and hotel for the whole week!!!

bb
bb
7 years ago

EBU want so hard to Ukraine or Australia (EBU baby) won, instead Russia.

David
7 years ago

@Nick, ugh that was because, duh, Germans.

MTD
MTD
7 years ago

Dear month of June 2017, please come faster. With the next winner of ESC having money AND brains to do the show in 2018. Not necessarily in Western Europe. Thanks.

David
7 years ago

Given all the endless drama we’ve seen in 2016 I wouldn’t be surprised if something *unexpected* happens before the year ends… oh well…

Denis
Denis
7 years ago

Do people honestly believe it will be moved from Ukraine? It won’t, chances are slim. Every country who participates in ESC must also be ready to host it if they win. Doesn’t matter if you are the favourite to win, have poor finances or no budget. Participating in ESC means you have a chance to host it next year. If you’re not ready then don’t participate. That’s how ESC works. So whether or not Ukraine thought they would win or not isn’t important, by competing they made themselves ready and prepared to host. Obviously EBU will whip/help out NTU in… Read more »

ESC84
ESC84
7 years ago

If Ukraine can’t host, I hope it would be anywhere but North Europe and West Europe

Nick
Nick
7 years ago

too much yellow journalism. I’m sure everything’s fine . In 2011 Germany didn’t even HAVE A VENUE yet and they ended up hosting fine. I’m sure Ukraine will be alright too.

Chicken Kyiv?
Chicken Kyiv?
7 years ago

Robyn makes a good point. In the last decade or so the winning country has usually gone all out trying to win or is a huge favourite/talking point so know they could win well in advance.

However Ukraine always put in effort and do well but I didn’t sense any huge drive to win this year and Russia , Australia, France were the countries everyone was predicting.

Naturally Ukraine have been completely unprepared.

UmerKim
UmerKim
7 years ago

Kyiv has hosted the contest before & it went on smoothly, also they hosted 2 Junior contests. Not only that but they hosted the contest in 2005 fresh out 5 months after the Orange Revolution happened. I am not worried, they will be able to host it & do a great show. Now what i’m really worried about is who’s gonna host it

stephen podesta
stephen podesta
7 years ago

Ukraine was always going to be a train wreck but the EBU must help Ukraine as much as I hate to admit it coming from Australia, hundreds have already booked flight and hotels, it would be financial disaster. The rules must change that the host county must be ready with the money and the venue within one month of winning otherwise they forfeit the hosting duty and it will go to the next runner up winner. We ae now 5 month in and where are we still bickering over very small things that should of been sorted out, if this… Read more »

Zebb
Zebb
7 years ago

That would be a sheep fun if they won’t be even able to take back money they’ve transfered to EBU reserve. Tho this time it looks like a yellow paper story based on their shameful political conversations. Really, they’ve got a venue already and despite of it’s ugliness they still can produce average level of image (no one expect better after all we’ve seen).

bella
bella
7 years ago

Loo I agree with you

Corey
Corey
7 years ago

Have Sweden host again with Petra and Måns as hosts. It was so amazing last year.

Archie
Archie
7 years ago

Just let LONDON host it!!! It would be the best contest ever. And and Dec host. Great songs. In the O2 Arena!! What a contest it would be!

Alex
Alex
7 years ago

Also, let me remind y’all that the 2003 contest in Riga was surrounded by far more controversy and economic problems than this one. Ukraine will be fine—-> Riga had one show, Kiev has 3 big shows and the contest has grew massively since 2003. Plus, Ukraine is a mess at the moment in terms of political and economic situation. In case they ask a BIG 5 country to do the job, PLEASE LET IT BE THE UK. Germany hosted Eurovision recently (2011). UK hasn’t hosted a Eurovision final since 1998 and it will probably take at least a decade to… Read more »

Loo
Loo
7 years ago

@I am not Jamala
Russia won’t host if Ukraine loses it. We’re heading to Berlin or Cologne in that case. I think the chances are very small though, but not impossible. Ukraine needs to step things up and show EBU some professionalism. It’s not all about the money . Stockholm hosted the best Eurovision ever with a very low budget for Eurovision.

Alex
Alex
7 years ago

I think it’s better if NTU just cancels the national final and work harder on ESC

Leo Valdez
Leo Valdez
7 years ago

Seriously EBU you should change the hosting rules
It’s better that eligible cities apply for hosting and the one who’s ready would get chosen as host city
It’s a lot better and there would be no drama again
+a lot countries would start sending better entries as some of them sends craps every year in order not to win

Polegend Godgarina
7 years ago

Also, let me remind y’all that the 2003 contest in Riga was surrounded by far more controversy and economic problems than this one. Ukraine will be fine.

Polegend Godgarina
7 years ago

Watch them give it to Berlin as originally planned (they were sooo sure Australia would win).

I am not Jamala
I am not Jamala
7 years ago

The most horrific part is, if the EBU takes away the hosting rights from Ukraine, Russia will get to host as Australia obviously can’t.

mocosuburbian
mocosuburbian
7 years ago

romb’bomb oh my go d lmaoooooo

Daan
Daan
7 years ago

The best thing to happen to Eurovision 2017 is for it to go away from corrupt Ukraine and let it be hosted by another country who really wants to host it. It’s like Ukraine doesn’t even care about ESC..

Colin
Colin
7 years ago

Ukraine gave us a true sh!*show of their national finals this year, but we can hope they don’t repeat it with ESC. Here are some tips: 1. Keep the running time appropriate. Keep the performances going without the much talking in between. 2. Keep the politics out of it! Who gives a *beep* did a performer sung in Russia or wether they support Putin or not. 3. If there is some sort of doubt or controversy over a song, sort it out BEFORE the show, NOT DURING! 4. Bring less pompous jury. If they have to comment, let it be… Read more »

Plum
Plum
7 years ago

@Robyn Gallagher
It’s so god that you are here again. What abut the below? I’m really intrigued since so many other events worth mentioning about this artist have happenned since then but WIWI are silent…
I’m not # if something.

Robyn Gallagher
NOVEMBER 19, 2016 @ 11:18 AM

#: “What about Sergey Lazarev’s new music video?”

We have a stand-along post planned for it, coming soon. It would have been a bit strange to have included it with this list of Christmas songs! ????

Ruud Buscher
Ruud Buscher
7 years ago

I don’t really know what to think of this, but ever since I follow the Eurovision spectacle, I’ve never read this much drama about the hostcountry. Azerbaijan came close but that was just the venue being a bit late. Otherwise, it’s a scary thought…

beccaboo1212
7 years ago

Remember in Junior Eurovision, the winning country lost the right to host the following year? Well, that’s what we’re starting to get with the adult’s Eurovision: to much controversy about the host country. 🙁

Steve
7 years ago

Oh dear, I hope not. We’ve booked our flights and hotel!

mad-professor
mad-professor
7 years ago

I’d rather Ukraine were given the chance but, if needs be, they could always just give it to Sweden, the UK, Germany or Italy.

Plum
Plum
7 years ago

Ukraine MUST host it and it WILL whatever the circumstances. EBU will leave nothiing undone to support it, no doubt.

Off top… Out of curiosity… why Sergey Lazarev’s new video is being ignored by WIWI for a week’s time? Is the artist tabood here? Why?

fikri
fikri
7 years ago

i don’t think there is time for another country to take over. i mean, it took ukraine god knows how many months to decide on a host city. with a new country taking over and having to prepare from scratch, we will probably be watching eurovision on may… 2018.

Denis
Denis
7 years ago

I doubt very much anything will happen at all. Of course EBU won’t take it away from Ukraine. They are doing everything they can to help out Ukraine with their duties. Shows have been put together with shorter notice, it was common in ESC before.

BenjaminMZ
BenjaminMZ
7 years ago

I think the contest should be in a country which already knows how to organize the contest… I mean countries that won from like 20 years ago like Israel, Latvia, UK, Ireland etc… And not countries that have just won like Russia, Norway etc…

KennyESC
KennyESC
7 years ago

uhmmm but wouldn’t it take even more time to find a new location ecc..?

(I’m feared that because of their speed for building the Crystal Hall, they can ask Baku to host again. Hoping not..)

Romb'bomb
Romb'bomb
7 years ago

@MirkoJoshua in March 2011 when the earthquake hit Japan, Moscow was given the opportunity to organize World Figure Skating Championship which was to be in Tokyo. Russians organized the event in 3 weeks… well, it wasn’t perfect, but such events are usually organized in 2 years. I am not saying Russia has to host the contest. I’m just saying it is not a supertask to manage the contest in 6 months. Any major channel can include 20 mln dollars in their budget for 2017. Thus, the contest can be organized by the Netherlands, Spain, the UK, Russia, Belgium, Italy, Russia.… Read more »

Romb'bomb
Romb'bomb
7 years ago

Kiev is serving “bureaucratic nazi don’t-give-a-fu*k-to-the-image” realness

MirkoJoshua
MirkoJoshua
7 years ago

Let’s say EBU decides that Ukraine is not able to host… how much time will it take to find another location? Preparing the venue, the promotional logo and slogan? Because if, in December, Ukraine can’t host anymore, then we would be 7 months behind… and wasn’t Sweden’s broadcaster supposed to help NTU?

Mark
Mark
7 years ago

Ukraine should have never been granted the honour to host.

Vlad
Vlad
7 years ago

His phrase was taken out of contest by local media.

johanleekens
johanleekens
7 years ago

Please don’t, just give them a chance, I’m so done with all the fuss about this