They’re the Balkan country known for their sometimes quirky Eurovision entries. But Montenegro will no longer be part of Eurovision 2020. Broadcaster RTCG has confirmed that Montenegro will NOT be participating at Eurovision 2020.

Update: The broadcaster has now confirmed to Eurovision news site ESCToday that they have withdrawn their application for Eurovision 2020.

The EBU reportedly gave RTCG an extension to finalise its participation, but it was unable to to “meet the requirements” and so withdrew. ESCToday reports that RTCG “tried its very best to compete in Rotterdam but things didn’t materialise in the end.”

The claim was earlier made both by the Greek Eurovision fan blog Eurovision Fun and the Eurovision gossip blog HOD45.

Wiwibloggs has also heard the same claim from a source close to Montenegro.

Both blog sites claim that the Montenegrin broadcaster RTCG is withdrawing for financial reasons, with the broadcaster reportedly unable to afford the participation fee. While the fee is variable depending on the size of the broadcaster, it can still be costly for some.

In September, RTCG confirmed its provisional participation to reputable fan site ESCToday. However, ESCToday was clear to note that the broadcaster had not yet made a final decision regarding its participation in Eurovision 2020.

Broadcasters had to confirm their intended participation to the EBU by 16 September but had until 10 October to withdraw from Eurovision 2020 without penalty.

The EBU is expected to release the list of confirmed acts for Eurovision 2020 sometime in the next few weeks.

The news follows the earlier announcement from Hungarian broadcaster MTVA that strongly suggests Hungary won’t participate in Eurovision 2020. The broadcaster confirmed that its national song contest A Dal will no longer be used as the national final for its Eurovision entry.

While the Hungarian broadcaster has not explicitly confirmed their withdrawal from Eurovision 2020, it did release a statement saying, “Instead of taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2020, we will support the valuable productions created by the talents of Hungarian pop music directly.”

Montenegro at Eurovision

This won’t be the first occasion Montenegro has taken time off from the song contest.

After debuting as an independent nation in 2007 and competing three times, Montenegro didn’t participate in 2010 and 2011, also for financial reasons.

However, Montenegro was back in 2012 and has participated every year since.

Montenegro’s best years at Eurovision were 2014 and 2015, where Sergej Ćetković and Knez each made it to the grand final with emotional ballads in the Montenegrin language. Knez’s song “Adio” finished in 13th place in the grand final, giving Montenegro its best-ever result.

Montenegro is also known for its quirky entries, including jazz poet Rambo Amadeus, rapping astronauts Who See, and the intergalactic diva Slavko Kalezić.

What do you think? Are you sad that Montenegro won’t be in Rotterdam? Tell us your thoughts below!

Read more Montenegro Eurovision news here

119 Comments
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Gigii
Gigii
4 years ago

Guys looks like Montenegro didn’t withdraw the executive director denied it.

DenizNL
DenizNL
4 years ago
Reply to  Gigii

I read that too. I hope they can still participate.
Last time it looked like a country was withdrawing but ended up not withdrawing (North Macedonia 2018),
It became my 1st place. So I hope this scenario continues xD

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
4 years ago

Financial issues. Uugh. Money, money, money.

Gijo
Gijo
4 years ago

Well..interest for eurovision in montenegro is like..nobody watch that….so..we dont want that..bye.

Dani
Dani
4 years ago
Reply to  Gijo

Because you can’t send a decent song. So why people would bother??!

Colin
Colin
4 years ago

Oh, no. 🙁 Adio for this year… I really hope they come back next year stronger than ever. Meanwhile, I would encourage Montenegrin artists to try out for Dora and Beovizija.

keith mawson
keith mawson
4 years ago

oh no this sucks . knez we need you. so sad.

keith mawson
keith mawson
4 years ago
Reply to  keith mawson

sergei knez and igranka please return

Jo.
Jo.
4 years ago

adio

Esc
Esc
4 years ago

Lol whence this news has not yet been confirmed to you by the RTCG Greetings from Montenegro

Ulvi
Ulvi
4 years ago

Why, why-ay-ay-ay? Montenegro don’t walk along.

Ulvi
Ulvi
4 years ago
Reply to  Ulvi

Their 2019 National Final was almost as good as Supernova

DavidR
DavidR
4 years ago

It’s like ESC 2010 when countries were dropping out one after another…

ESCFan2009
ESCFan2009
4 years ago
Reply to  DavidR

The parallels to 2010 would actually be good news for Germany 😀 (cause Lena won in 2010, sooo, there is hope again xD)

Maya G
Maya G
4 years ago
Reply to  DavidR

Well, so far Montenegro dropped and possibly Hungary too, but Ukraine and Bulgaria are making a comeback so unless other countries withdraw, we have the same number of countries as 2019.

LaSignora
LaSignora
4 years ago

🙁

brunowskii
brunowskii
4 years ago

Open up to Kazakhstan!!

Rick
Rick
4 years ago
Reply to  brunowskii

Yes please! The people at EBU are acting like hypocrites, first they make a slogan like “Open Up” and then they don’t invite Kazakhstan…

ESCFan2009
ESCFan2009
4 years ago

Montenegro 2013 was… well, not my cup of tea at all 🙂

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
4 years ago

Totally need to echo what others already pointed out: If Moldova, the by far poorest country in Europe, can manage to participate every year, anyone can. If they want to. Anything else just sounds like BS to me.

JOWST NE
JOWST NE
4 years ago

It’s the budget of the broadcaster, not the country as a whole. Countries like Luxembourg and Monaco are very rich, but their broadcasters are only small and don’t get a lot of profit!

WannaEatMySpaghetti
WannaEatMySpaghetti
4 years ago
Reply to  JOWST NE

@JOWST NE I agree with the first part of your comment but you’re wrong when it comes to Luxembourg and Monaco. Luxembourg doesn’t take part to the contest because the broadcaster is not interested. Monaco doesn’t take part because the TMC (broadcaster of Monaco) belongs to the french group TF1 who doesn’t allow TMC to broadcast eurovision anymore…
But yeah, if Moldova manages to give enough money to the broadcaster, others countries should be able to. It’s all about priority 😐

Liam
Liam
4 years ago

I am actually happy that they have withdrawn

Luke Armfield
Luke Armfield
4 years ago

With loosing both Hungary and now Montinagro, it would be time to introduce a new guest country, I’d love to see Kazakhstan, Kosovo or Lichtenstein join to see what theyd brong to the contest

keith mawson
keith mawson
4 years ago
Reply to  Luke Armfield

sucks wind nooooo

Fionn
Fionn
4 years ago

This doesn’t really effect my since in my opinion, Montenegro weren’t the best…….. They were always near to last on my list each year

Kirby
Kirby
4 years ago

Why don’t countries like Morocco, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan enter despite Israel in? They can compete together like they do at the Olympics! (They ARE within the European Broadcasting Area and ARE full members too.

srulik
srulik
4 years ago
Reply to  Kirby

Morocco has no interest in the contest and they believe arabic won’t work. Lebanon can’t show Israeli acts on tv by law and that is against ESC rules. Egyptian and Jordanian public won’t fond the contest due to islamic reasons.

Chingiz
Chingiz
4 years ago
Reply to  srulik

Well, all above mentioned are legitimate reasons, but Morocco can always send an act in French. I could imagine, let’s say Saad Lamjarred, placing quite high even with a song in Arabic

JOWST NE
JOWST NE
4 years ago
Reply to  Kirby

So basically Israel is ruining any chances of an Arab country joining Eurovision

ADd
ADd
4 years ago
Reply to  JOWST NE

Basically.

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
4 years ago
Reply to  JOWST NE

No arabic countries are ruining it for themselves by chosing not to participate in anything along israel.

Maya G
Maya G
4 years ago
Reply to  JOWST NE

Far from it. Egypt and Jordan have long ago signed peace agreements with Israel and have diplomatic and financial ties with it, and my bet is that they don’t take part because the tone of the contest conflicts with their overall conservative and religious nature. It’s not like Israel is vetoing the participation of Lebanon, it’s Lebanon that refuses to broadcast the competition if Israel is in it. Every country within the European broadcasting area is welcome to participate, I don’t see how Israel is to blame for another country’s refusal to comply with the contest rules. Saying Israel is… Read more »

Kirby
Kirby
4 years ago

It’s an utter pity.
*********
Exit: Montenegro.
Enter: Kazakhstan

Fionn
Fionn
4 years ago
Reply to  Kirby

Please!!!!

srulik
srulik
4 years ago
Reply to  Kirby

Kazahstan will never happen… I’d like them in but i don’t see the EBU going there.

Tom
Tom
4 years ago
Reply to  srulik

Maybe EBU will invite Kazahstan at 100 anniversary of contest

Sabrina
Sabrina
4 years ago

It’s always sad when a country withdraws, especially when it’s for financial issues. I hope it’s only a year break and that they use the time to rethink what they’ve been doing in terms of selection, since their last entries weren’t competitive (though Vanja’s song grew on me a lot).

Stefan Krause
4 years ago

Of course its sad, its like losing an European family member. Hope they return in 2021

insalata di cesare
insalata di cesare
4 years ago

Goodbye to 24 points, Serbia

Tom
Tom
4 years ago

You serving name of the Serbian song from 2016 ?

Denis
Denis
4 years ago

Lets hope they come back with a bang! Cause most of their entries have been dire…
Also , how come Moldova the poorest country can afford to participate every year but Montenegro can’t?

Joe
Joe
4 years ago
Reply to  Denis

I feel like that’s literally the only thing the Moldovan broadcaster spends money on. We don’t know any local Moldovan shows, but we sure as heck know the kind of spectaculars they send every year. I’d like to think the Moldovans are chill with it. (Plus they get high-profile people to work with them, like Kirkorov or the sand lady).

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
4 years ago
Reply to  Denis

But we haven’t heard yet whether Moldova is going to participate in 2020 or not. I don’t know, despite being poor, maybe Moldova is smart with its money? We’ll have to see when the official lists comes out.

ADd
ADd
4 years ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

They’re not “poor”. They are just not high income. There’s a significant difference. Moldova actually has a larger GDP than Monaco does. National economies are far more complex than personal ones.

ADd
ADd
4 years ago
Reply to  Denis

Not all broadcasters have the same budget.

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
4 years ago

2013- 2015*

Toffeenix
Toffeenix
4 years ago

I’m a big fan of most of their stuff. I love all of their entries from the 2010s except The Real Thing and I’ve got them in my top 10 four times in that decade, in addition to that I loved Ja sam ti san, Nepogrješivo, Nevinost, Neželjena and Dušu mi daj (I swear I’m not Montenegrin). So this really sucks to see. Hopefully they’ll come back stronger and do really well in 2021.

Tomas
Tomas
4 years ago

Ok but who will Serbia give their 12 points to now?

Skiwalko
Skiwalko
4 years ago
Reply to  Tomas

Funnily enough, the country Serbia gave the most points to is Hungary.

Tom
Tom
4 years ago
Reply to  Tomas

Sweden / N. MACEDONIA, Croatia ?

TheDrMistery
TheDrMistery
4 years ago
Reply to  Tomas

Bigger question is how will Serbia cope with the fact that they won’t get those 24 points next year?!

Loin dici
Loin dici
4 years ago
Reply to  Tomas

North Macedonia or Slovenia, perhaps.

Tom
Tom
4 years ago
Reply to  Loin dici

I don’t think so about Slovenia

mkkay
mkkay
4 years ago

It’s good that Montenegro is taking a break. I really hope they will come back stronger and selects the artist internally and they get rid of Montevizija because wrong winner = stays in the semi-final.

keith mawson
keith mawson
4 years ago
Reply to  mkkay

they had a decent song last year they didn’t send

Alex
Alex
4 years ago

That was unexpected.

Tom
Tom
4 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Wait for Moldova and Hungary….

Alex
Alex
4 years ago
Reply to  Tom

There’s no way Moldova will leave. They always said nothing about their participation. Every year literally.

Rasmus
Rasmus
4 years ago

Im sad for the hungarian and Montenegrin fans who really loves ESC:( I want to hear their reactions.

Gigii
Gigii
4 years ago
Reply to  Rasmus

Yeah I as a Montenegrin esc fan am really diassapointed and pissed at the same time, but oh well maybe we manage a top 5 next year after the break xD

Rasmus
Rasmus
4 years ago

I wonder how can Northmacedonia, Albania, Serbia always compete and Montenegro struggle with money always. Are Montenego the poorest country in Europe? All western countries do always compete. Except one year break sometimes for Portugal.

SMR
SMR
4 years ago
Reply to  Rasmus

THIS! And even a tiny country like San Marino is participating for the 11th time…

Gigii
Gigii
4 years ago
Reply to  Rasmus

They had an incident this year with executive director and some workers that left the broadcaster and they have to pay them big money… some 250 000 to 500 000 euros which would cover the participation fee, and now they dont have that money.

Mr X
Mr X
4 years ago
Reply to  Rasmus

I think that Moldova is the poorest country in Europe (its broadcaster hasn´t yet confirmed for Rotterdam…).

What about the rumour that Greece send next year an entry in the native language again ? That will be great if it´s true…..

Toffeenix
Toffeenix
4 years ago
Reply to  Mr X

If I remember correctly Moldova never confirms, they let the EBU confirm for them

Lloyd
Lloyd
4 years ago

This is probably why the list of participating countries hasn’t been revealed yet.

Joshua
Joshua
4 years ago

Well, they’ve always struggled because they hadn’t enough money to support their artist and their song properly. Hope a year break will help them.

Eurovisionfan12
Eurovisionfan12
4 years ago

Fun fact:
2010: Hungary and Montenegro withdrew
2020: Hungary (very likely) and Montenegro will withdraw

Rona
Rona
4 years ago

*looks at Czech Republic suspiciously*

Azaad
Azaad
4 years ago
Reply to  Rona

The Czechs withdrew because they had 3 consecutive abysmal results and never were in the final. They won’t withdraw after their two best.

Tom
Tom
4 years ago

And slovakia was in 🙁

Thunder and lightning it's getting exciting
Thunder and lightning it's getting exciting
4 years ago
Reply to  Tom

I want our neighbours slovakia back

Tom
Tom
4 years ago

Dare to dream

Héctor
Héctor
4 years ago

I’m sorry but a lot of their entries were very amateurish. They better save the money and bring something good next time. 2013, 2014 and 2015 were the exceptions.

Vladimir P.
Vladimir P.
4 years ago
Reply to  Héctor

Why do people say they’re sorry when they’re obviously not?

Crna Gora
Crna Gora
4 years ago

The problem with Montenegro in these last two years has been that they pick the wrong winner from Montevizija. For example, Nina Petkovi? – Dišem (The song was very good) and Andrea Demirovi? – Ja sam ti san (Total banger, wasn’t too impressed by the performance) would’ve likely made it to the finals. I was very surprised and sad to find out that Montenegro had withdrawn, but if they can come back soon and stronger than before then it’s good to take a break. As Knez would say Adio Montenegro, see you hopefully in 2021!

Liam Holton
Liam Holton
4 years ago

To be honest, there songs were very dire. They need some time off to reinvent themselves and come back with a fresh approach towards the contest imo.

Kredential
Kredential
4 years ago

The harsh truth is none of Montenegro’s entries have been particularly good, and with the exception of 2013 (which continues to be robbed) all their entries that have NQ’d have been deserved (Euro Neuro remains one of the worst entries in the contest this decade). On the other hand, the songs they’ve sent that have some sort of musical merit have been rewarded accordingly with a place in the final. I hope Montenegro uses this break to go back to their roots, which is culturally rich music in their native tongue. That’s not to say they can’t try the modern… Read more »

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
4 years ago
Reply to  Kredential

Euro Neuro was fantastic. I never listened to it on my own time, not once, but it still was awesome for what it was. Trolling done well. Most other countries who tried in that department were much, much worse.

Grey
Grey
4 years ago

Why Montenegro… I was hoping for at least 43 countries in Rotterdam. If Hungary will also withdraw, I’ll be devastated 🙁

Topper
Topper
4 years ago

Omg this is so sad, Alexa play Knez – Adio

Whyy
Whyy
4 years ago

NOOO!!!!

Conor K
Conor K
4 years ago

Always in my top 5 since 2014… I’m very sad about this. They were even my no.1 of 2007 and 2008

Campbell Grace
Campbell Grace
4 years ago
Reply to  Conor K

Top 5 since 2014… uh- 2016 – 2019 were completely shambolic.

insalata di cesare
insalata di cesare
4 years ago
Reply to  Conor K

You are a joker

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
4 years ago

Too bad. They just needed to buy another great song from Mr. Joksimovic and they would have made the final for sure.

Jonas
Jonas
4 years ago

They didn’t really offer anything good in the last few years, so I don’t think I’m sad about this news. But yeah more the merrier. Hopefully they will come back soon, but with better entries.

Darren
4 years ago

I never liked or disliked their entries, although I must admit, Slavko was a guilty pleasure despite the fact that he actually can’t sing.
Hopefully we see Montenegro back in 2021 and this isn’t a long term withdrawal ala Slovakia, Monoaco, Andorra, Turkey, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Italy (in the 90s-00s).
Praying that Hungary don’t withdraw though, I usually like their entries and they do bring some interesting songs to the competition, especially when they sing in Hungarian.

Rasmus
Rasmus
4 years ago
Reply to  Darren

If there are to many its harder to Qualify. Ps EBU have said it can only be 20 in each semi at the most. Thats good. Dont want 28 like in 2007. do you?

srulik
srulik
4 years ago

Moldova and Russia always say nothing about participation and we know they are in when the EBU releases the list of participants.

Eurovisionfan12
Eurovisionfan12
4 years ago
Reply to  srulik

Russia already confirmed

HOD45
HOD45
4 years ago

First of all, who said we are a “gossip blog”? and then the story was originally published by us. Eurovisionfun , just took our story without mentioning us as a source. As esctoday did. https://hod45.blogspot.com/2019/11/montenegro-to-withdraw-from-eurovision.html

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
4 years ago
Reply to  HOD45

You guys dont mention any sources yourself though.

HOD45
HOD45
4 years ago
Reply to  Frisian esc

Obviously because our source wished to remain unnamed.
It’s not the same thing.

Stevan
Stevan
4 years ago

-24 points for us :c

Africavision
Africavision
4 years ago
Reply to  Stevan

Lol maybe Serbia should fund Montenegro’s participation at Eurovision 2020… Montenegro gets to participate, and Serbia gets an extra 24 points… Win-win situation.

Aly
Aly
4 years ago
Reply to  Africavision

@Africavision Omg, you’re a genius! This needs to happen xD

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
4 years ago
Reply to  Africavision

I’d pay my share. 😉

Tom
Tom
4 years ago
Reply to  Stevan

In the semi final Montengro didnt gave Serbia 12 points from jury

Fiore
Fiore
4 years ago

Frankly speaking, their entries kept getting worse every year since 2016. I’m watching ESC with group of friends every year and this year I was embarassed when their entry came up in Tel Aviv. That was pure cringe and my friends were laughing. Perhaps a break will help them to sort their things out. Hoping to see them back very soon with better entries.

yodenman
yodenman
4 years ago
Reply to  Fiore

Yes I have to agree. They are never going to win to be honest so I can understand why they are withdrawing.

Milan
Milan
4 years ago
Reply to  yodenman

Anyone can win the contest.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
4 years ago

this better be a lie !

Joseph Mendy
Joseph Mendy
4 years ago

I’m afraid the truth is out. We won’t be seeing Montenegro next year.

Illila
Illila
4 years ago

Anh country shouldn’t have to withdraw due finace problems. We should help each other.

srulik
srulik
4 years ago

ESCTODAY.COM just confirmed Montenegro has withdrawn from the contest. I think it’s time for the EBU to think about participation fee and regulations once more as we see countries in and out almost every year. Ohh and…bring back Luxemburg.