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.

You can keep up-to-date on the latest Eurovision news and gossip by following the team on Twitter @wiwibloggs and by liking our Facebook page.

Photo: Eurovision.tv (EBU)

13 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Arianna
10 years ago

& 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

Emily
Emily
10 years ago

Damn. I was really looking forward to the year whenever Bulgaria does well. The number of countries pulling out is really breaking my heart.

beccaboo1212
10 years ago

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ian
Ian
10 years ago

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.

Vlad
Vlad
10 years ago

Is it true that the Eurovision entrance fees have gone up 100% since 2005?

Anthony
Anthony
10 years ago

@Charles,
RTVSLO have already submitted their application for Slovenia’s participant at Copenhagen next year, but we’re still waiting for their final confirmation.

Charles
Charles
10 years ago

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 »

Alex
Alex
10 years ago

Agreed with David 🙂

Padraig Muldoon
Admin
10 years ago

@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.

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

Another one bites the dust -_-

Eric S.
10 years ago

It’s sad but Bulgaria’s entries in recent years have been umm….. lacking. Will really miss Serbia.

Julian
Julian
10 years ago

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.

David Thielen
10 years ago

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.