Some are calling it the “deposit crisis” — the ongoing saga between Israeli broadcaster KAN and the Israeli government, over who will cover the €12 million security deposit required by the EBU if Israel is to host Eurovision 2019.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that the government will not cover the deposit, claiming that KAN has €178 million available in its budget, more than enough to cover the deposit.

But KAN says hosting Eurovision is an additional expense that their budget doesn’t cover. That’s why they want the government to help out. And as always, if the production of Eurovision 2019 goes off with any major problems, the EBU will return the deposit.

Most recently, the government raised stakes by saying if KAN did forfeit hosting Eurovision, the government would have no option but to permanently close the broadcaster.

Now the European Broadcasting Union has waded into the sage. A spokesperson gave a statement to fanblog ESC Today:

“The EBU is working closely with KAN ahead of tomorrow’s deadline, on advancing arrangements for next year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Israel. Every year financial guarantees must be made to the EBU before plans are put in place and the host city for the Eurovision Song Contest is announced. If a situation ever arose in which a broadcaster could not fulfil their requirements there are always contingency plans in place, as is normal when planning such a large event with many international stakeholders.”

This statement suggests that the EBU already has another country — or countries — on standby, ready to pick up the hosting duties if the Israeli parties cannot reach a decision and forfeit the hosting today.

Rumoured countries include 2018 runner-up Cyprus (though they do not have a suitable indoor venue to host); 2008 third-placed act Austria, who most recently hosted in 2015; and fourth-placed Germany, who hosted in 2011 and is often rumoured as the EBU’s backup country.

As things stand, no country has been publicly confirmed as the backup for 2019, though it is expected that the EBU would have privately made arrangements.

The EBU’s deadline for KAN to lodge the deposit ends today.

Read more Israel Eurovision news

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Quagmire
Quagmire
5 years ago

I wonder if KAN will have LED screens or will save that money and we will have a second no-LED year

Hada
Hada
5 years ago
Reply to  Quagmire

That’s the least of this year’s problems

Sppy
Sppy
5 years ago

Where are the people who say big 5 pays for Eurovision? Wake up, big 5 pays for nothing. Stop with nonsense that big 5 is big 5 because they give the money. Big 5 doesn’t deserve the place in the final.

Callum
Callum
5 years ago
Reply to  Sppy

The Big 5 enables the EBU to function and pay for equipment, HQ and staff. Without the Big 5, the EBU could not operate on such a tremendous scale. Without the EBU, there is no Eurovision. There is truth in the statement that the Big 5 pay for Eurovision.

Valentina M.
Valentina M.
5 years ago

I can host in my house here in San Marino guys, if you have trouble finding a new location !! Let me know.
Molto amore,
Vale <3

Idan Cohen
Idan Cohen
5 years ago

According to Ha’aretz, it looks like Kan and the government have reached a settlement (LOL, no pun intended!!)
(Hebrew)
https://www.haaretz.co.il/gallery/music/eurovision2018/1.6382012

The Eurovision will be hosted ion Israel.

Yanis2Y
Yanis2Y
5 years ago
Reply to  Idan Cohen

YES !! Just saw the article and wanted to share it in the comments too 🙂 !

Tommy
Tommy
5 years ago
Reply to  Idan Cohen

From that same article, when put into Google translate:

“The agreement has not yet been officially reached and at present the corporation denies this and refuses to respond to Haaretz’s questions. The company has insisted to date that they will not take out an external financial loan because of the fear that it could cause a deep deficit in the broadcasting body. However, in the past few days they have understood that “here” is that the Finance Ministry and the Prime Minister’s Office are not planning to withdraw from their position, and there is no escaping a bank loan.”

allexo
allexo
5 years ago

Just flipping give the damn event to Germany or another country that doesn’t have whining willows in charge of organising massive events like Eurovision, Israel REALLY don’t deserve this contest and if I was the head of the EBU, I would just the contest to another country

Denis
Denis
5 years ago

From the statement I read it as EBU is working with KAN to secure a budget and if that should fail they have a back-up plan! I didn¨t get it as another country hosting , the back up could just be lower the budget or so.
But having an another country as standby is probably in EBU´s back head somewhere and they have maybe contacted a few countries already?

Dustin
Dustin
5 years ago
Reply to  Denis

They always have 2 or 3 countries back-up in case the winner unable to host the contest. Those countries mainly in Big 5.

Thiago
Thiago
5 years ago

I don’t see where the statement “suggests” they have another country on standby. Way to read into it lol. For all we know the contingency plan could be that they give another extension or lower the upfront number.

Victor
Victor
5 years ago

Why doesn’t EBU invite another non-ebu member to host the contest? Here in México 😉 could be a great option. We have plenty of venues, hotels and touristic sites. Think about it

Yanis2Y
Yanis2Y
5 years ago
Reply to  Victor

That’s cute and all but…it’s EUROvision. And there’s too much of a time difference.

gb31431
gb31431
5 years ago
Reply to  Victor

YES!! MEXICO

Henrikh Mugosa
Henrikh Mugosa
5 years ago
Reply to  Victor

I say YES to Mexico as well!

Henry
Henry
5 years ago
Reply to  Victor

Haha it should join the contest though to help Spain with 12 points, it’d be amazing if a Americavision took place with the whole Western Hemisphere, Canada to Argentina. Mexico and Colombia would be the Sweden and Ukraine of it.

Jack
Jack
5 years ago

The EBU statement seems to suggest that plans are being arranged between KAN and the EBU. Thank goodness! Everybody wants ESC to be in Israel. It would a huge black mark on the reputation and credibility of the State of Israel as well as the EBU if it was forced to relocate. I don’t realistically see the security deposit as a real threat to ESC 2019 in Israel.

Boycott Jerusalem 2019
Boycott Jerusalem 2019
5 years ago

The contingency plan is… Eurovision will be cancelled next year. Nah JK.