Bulgaria’s state broadcaster BNT has announced that it will not field at contestant for the Eurovision Song Contest 2014. Perhaps officials are still paying off the bill from 2010, when Miro rubbed buckets of oil all over his back-up dancers.
An official statement read as follows.
National Television will not take part in Eurovision Song Contest 2014. Motivated by the desire to promote Bulgarian music and Bulgarian artists, BNT has sent participants to the prestigious competition for 9 years. In order to participate, BNT is obliged to pay a licence fee, which has gone up by a 100 percent this year, compared to 2005 – the first year of participation. BNT also has additional expenses for the national selection of participants and the presentation of the Bulgarian song to the European public, as well as for all services and special effects during the show. Given the cost of this project and pending budget cuts next year, BNT has decided to withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest as a first step in the financial constraints the television will have to take.
Booooooo. That makes us sad. But we completely understand the broadcaster’s decision during these tough times. As we reported back in June, electricity prices have risen more quickly than the average Bulgarian salary. Given those conditions, spending taxpayer money on the likes of Sofi Marinova and Elitsa & Stoyan does seem rather wasteful. We are seriously upset, but hope to see Bulgaria at Eurovision again soon.
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Photo: Eurovision.tv (EBU)
& now there’s a small ray of hope that they will return. ;o BNT put on their FB page announcing they have a deadline extension & they can apply January 10th.. I guess the EBU were really trying with them? They put something like “miracles happen on Christmas” lol
Damn. I was really looking forward to the year whenever Bulgaria does well. The number of countries pulling out is really breaking my heart.
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Its becoming a confusing situation. It seems it will be easier to qualify for the final this year – but who wants to become known as the winner of the competition where so many countries were not competing.
Is it true that the Eurovision entrance fees have gone up 100% since 2005?
@Charles,
RTVSLO have already submitted their application for Slovenia’s participant at Copenhagen next year, but we’re still waiting for their final confirmation.
I’ll make my global comment on these 4 countries in one: 1) Bulgaria: Couldn’t care less! Musically they have never showcased anything that really made me go wow! It all seems like one desperate choice for the current eurovision. But nothing outstanding. Miro was actually a great singer … but the song and the whole angelic homoerotic performance was too much and too artificial to both eyes and ears. Sometimes going back to basics works better: but what are the music basics in a bulgarian way? I don’t think I’ll ever know … not in 2014 that’s for sure. b)… Read more »
Agreed with David 🙂
@Julian I’m not sure whether every country pays the same amount but Ireland paid an entry fee of €70k in 2013.
@David most countries already broadcast the show with commercials – that’s the idea behind those green room segments, 100% licence fee funded channels like the BBC show them, whereas dual funded or commercial channels like RTE go for an ad break. I think Bulgaria’s problem is that they’ve never sent a good act resulting in low interest amongst the Bulgarian public and consequently advertisers and tv execs.
Another one bites the dust -_-
It’s sad but Bulgaria’s entries in recent years have been umm….. lacking. Will really miss Serbia.
Double the fees since 2005 in these years of economic difficulties… hmmm. Eurovision fees paid by countries during years would be interesting to inquire. And the use of that budget too.
They need to broadcast ESC in the U.S. With commercials. Then it’ll pay off so well countries will make a profit from participating.