There were tears in Bucharest last April when Romania’s TVR was expelled from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) — and as a result, Eurovision — due to unpaid debts. But now there’s hope on the horizon, with news that the Romanian government is about to step in. The country’s lawmakers are on the verge of amending legislation to allow them to cover TVR’s 17-million Swiss francs debt to the EBU using the state budget.
Back in the spring, when TVR was excluded from the EBU the government announced that it lacked the legal means to help the Romanian broadcaster on such short notice. However, faced with the prospect of a summer without the European Championship and the Olympic Games and with mounting pressure from the public to assist TVR, the Romanian administration has decided to change the law. They will now be able to legally withdraw funds from the state budget. According to profit.ro, the legislation will be modified by emergency ordinance. It will be too late for this year’s major sports events, but the government hopes that this way TVR will be re-admitted to the EBU and that it will be able to broadcast the FIFA World Cup in 2018 and 2022.
Until now, the law has only allowed the government to assist TVR where development expenses were concerned, as well as equipment purchases, maintaining the broadcast, and guarding the institution. From now on, public money will be used to pay off the 17-million Swiss francs (€15.3 million), which effectively means that, at least in theory, TVR will be welcomed back to the EBU. In this case, it is likely that Romania will return to the Eurovision stage as early as next year.
However, it’s too late for Ovidiu Anton, the man who was due to represent Romania in Stockholm. He was denied the chance to perform his Selectia Nationala winning song “Moment of Silence”, just weeks before the contest.
What do you think about this new development? Are you ready to welcome Romania back to the contest after their moment of silence?
This is great news for Romania and songwriters of all nationalities. I am from the uk and will hopefully submit at least 2 songs for consideration. I was going to submit a song for 2016 but the singer didn’t sign the official forms in time so I missed the deadline.
Romania’s participation in Eurovision could not be wanted by all Romanians right now, at least until there are not changes in the staff of the contest. From my point of view, Romania should come back just if they are allowed to entry with ‘Moment of Silence’ by Ovidiu Anton.
I hope Romania would come back to Eurovision 2017. I symphatize Ovidiu because he was preparing show when EBU ruled out Romania. Isn`t justified.
I look forward to seeing Romania back on the ESC stage.
Select Ovidiu internally next year, and have a national selection for song choice
When TVR returns to Eurovision they should internally select Ovidiu.
If Romania participates next year I want Ovidiu to represent with another awesome song. It is a shame that we never got to see him perform at Eurovision this year.
Very good news for Romanian ESC fans and others who admire Romania’s music! Welcome back to ESC 2017! I agree they should internally select to save time and money! Sounds like they need it! 😀
rejoice moldova!
Yaasss just internally select Inna & Alexandra Stan and snatch that victory in 2017!
I think it’s too early to celebrate, but at least there’s hope.
Good on the new Romanian government and hopefully Romania get to participate in ESC 2017! Especially with Bosnia’s participation looking hazy this is good news.
Glad to see them back, I thought they were treated unfairly by the EBU at such a short notice, while other EBU members (you know the ones I mean) get away with so much. Maybe TVR will internally select Ovidiu Anton, to save the money that would be used on Selectia to go into his performance.
Anyways, I hope this works out and Romania return stronger and better than ever.
That’s great news! If Romania participates next year Ovidiu deserves the right to be internally selected, which is unfortunately unlikely because he has already stated that he is done with Eurovision.
I really hope they will be back in 2017. They send good music, my favorite song in eurovision is one of Romania’s songs so I really really hope they will be back.
Very happy for Romania look forward to seeing them again next year.
And for fairness think they should skip the NF and internally select Anton again, as he earned the right already and it was snatched from him.
Also it would save money as no need to pay to host an NF!
I’m obviously glad that Romania has a chance to get back, but what’s the price? Are we sure that the government budget won’t affect romanian public services and life quality? I mean, are we sure that the government has enough money to continue its job as the guide of a country and help TVR at the same time?
If I was a Romanian citizen, not sure if I would be happy… 17 million Swiss francs taken from taxpayers’ money to fund the broadcaster, that’s insane!
Why they didn’t pay it earlier. We could’ve seen Ovidiu on stage in Stockholm :((
Yay! Romania will be back!! 😀
Would be very nice if they can pay it. Yet, I really missed their great hard rock song this year. A big musical loss. They had themselves to blame though. Let’s hope Ovidiu Anton will be back next year, with another rock song. He deserves a new chance
It would only be fair if Antonio gets a new chance next year with a new song. He would not have won this year for sure, but he was robbed from an experience!
WE WANT THE MOST MISHEARD LYRICS OF 2016 !!! PLS IT WAS SO AMAZING LAST YEAR