Bosnia and Herzegovina have filed a preliminary application to return to Eurovision 2016, according to online news portal Faktor. The site confirmed the news with Dejan Kukric, the former Head of Delegation in Sarajevo, who is not part of BHRT’s decision-making team this year.

The news comes with one major caveat: BHRT still has time to pull out if it cannot secure the appropriate funding.

“By the 10th of October we will see what to do next,” Kukric said in this phone call with Faktor. “Each broadcaster has until then to cancel their participation in the Eurovision Song Contest — and without consequence.”

A history of cancelling

Bosnia and Herzegovina have stayed away from Eurovision since 2013, citing financial problems due to ongoing budget cuts. Despite sending early applications to participate in the contest both in 2014 and 2015, thus restoring hope for a possible return, BHRT later withdrew before the deadline.

In 2015, the broadcaster issued a statement that explained their non-participation was the result of “a drastic drop in license fee collection” and added that “the only way for the participation of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Eurovision Song Contest was to find the necessary sponsorship funds”. Apparently that didn’t happen.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has a very low TV license fee: only four euros per year! That makes it difficult to raise funds. With the financial crisis still gripping the country, Eurovision is, understandably, a secondary concern.

Bosnia and Herzegovina at Eurovision

Bosnia and Herzegovina actually have a strong record in the contest. Since the introduction of the semi-finals, they have always qualified and have placed within the top 10 five times. In fact, the country has given us plenty of fan favourites (such as Hari Mata Hari’s “Lejla”). Their last representative was Maya Sar, who dazzled the audience with her very fragile and emotional voice back in 2012 in Baku.

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Grifit
Grifit
8 years ago

awww Bosnia, Korake Ti Znam is one of my favorite songs of the Eurovision, and Love In Rewind… Bosnia should do a Kickstarter, so everyone can help with some money so they can go u.u

Comi
Comi
8 years ago

Bosnia, please, PLEASE, don’t withdraw

Huh
Huh
8 years ago

2014 – Strike 1.
2015 – Strike 2.
2016 – Get ready for strike 3 or they’ll be out for the third time.

Oostenrijk
Oostenrijk
8 years ago

BHRT should be liquidated and two public broadcasters should be set up, like in Belgium. One for Bosnian Federation and one for the Serbian Republic.

Denis
Denis
8 years ago

As a Bosnian I stopped hoping somewhere around 2014. Every year the same story: They are in, then they are out. And every year I get hyped only to end up disappointing. so I have no hope left. I think it’s a very very very slim chance of return. The situation is more complicated than the article states: No one wants to pay the fee, that’s the issue. Unlike most countries B&H doesn’t have a law stating that you must pay the fee. So most don’t pay. So they can’t get any money for any program and without money they… Read more »

Azaad
Azaad
8 years ago

Turkey (save for 2010 when they should’ve won) and Ukraine are often overhyped in this contest and people are wetting themselves over their returns. Meanwhile I’m glad that Bosnia Herzegovina are returning, especially since I believe they should’ve won in 2006.

Jerome
Jerome
8 years ago

Okay, I’m not gonna get my hopes up this time. But really, fingers crossed. *fingers crossed*

Erin
Erin
8 years ago

It’s time Bosnia finds its path back to the ESC. Most of their entries between 2006-2012 were outstanding and truly raised the bar for everyone else. With Turkey likely to return this year, It wouldn’t surprise if Bosnia finds the will and the way… however, the 4 Euros annual license fee figure is false. It stands at 46 Euros which is divided between 3 broadcasters: BHRT (23 Euros), RTViBiH (11.50 Euros) and RTRS (11.50 EUROS). BHRT is the only EBU member broadcaster in Bosnia and this annual sum is certainly one of the lowest in Europe (together with Montenegro), not… Read more »

Michael
Michael
8 years ago

I don’t really miss them.I want Turkey and Ukraine back

Nott
Nott
8 years ago

I know anything can still happen with B&H participation but I’m so happy right now.

Deniz
Deniz
8 years ago

I hope they don’t pull a Bosnia and Herzegovina on us this time. If they withdraw, it will be so depressing.

Erin
Erin
8 years ago

Hopefully with Turkey’s anticipated return, Bosnia will follow suit. Even if there’s no connection between the circumstances that led to both countries’ absence since 2013, it wouldn’t surprise anyone if both return in the same year.
Bosnia had some outstanding songs between 2006-2012 that clearly surpassed the average standards of both composition and performance.

Sparrow
Sparrow
8 years ago

Well this is a step in the right direction. Fingers crossed they stay this time round!!

Nick1991
Nick1991
8 years ago

I love Bosnia at Eurovision, so i hope they participate