It’s that time of the year again! The rumour mill about Turkey’s return to Eurovision never stops turning, but this year’s bait comes from a high level. Turkey’s national broadcaster TRT is said to be in talks with the EBU regarding Eurovision.
Turkey’s broadcaster discussing Eurovision with EBU
It was no less than TRT’s director, İbrahim Eren, who broke the news in an interview with Turkish newspaper Milliyet. Yes, he whose previous hurtful comments about Conchita Wurst obliged the EBU to issue an statement.
Eren confirmed that talks between the broadcaster and the EBU are taking place. Whether this will result on Turkey’s return or not is yet unknown, even to him.
“TRT made a decision on this issue in the past: ‘We’re not going to participate until the scoring system changes’. Our Board of Directors is sticking to this decision, but in the meantime we are also discussing ‘Eurovision’. A very good new director from Northern Europe took over Eurovision. I think he’s been very successful this year. After a long time, they had a good contest. Our colleagues are observing the new arrival. I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Apparently, the Turkish broadcaster is fonder of the new Executive Supervisor, Martin Österdahl. Wouldn’t it be a score for him to secure a Turkish return on his second year on duty? His predecessor, Jon Ola Sand did a very similar thing with Italy’s return in 2011.
Turkey at Eurovision: 10 years since they left
Turkey debuted at Eurovision in 1975 and went on to win the contest in 2003 with Sertab Erener’s “Everyway That I Can”. They hosted the contest the following year, and also picked up second place in 2010 with maNga’s “We Could Be the Same”. As well, Hadise, Kenan Dogulu and Athena brought Turkey three fourth places.
However, Turkey left the competition after the 2012 contest in Baku. A number of reasons have been given over the years for Turkey’s absence. At first, it was a disagreement with the new voting method (the inclusion of juries). However, the voting system has changed significantly in the last few years, and it has not brought Turkey back.
Another reason was the rampant LGBT-phobia shown by some of the broadcaster’s key managers. Mr Eren himself stirred controversy with his comments on Conchita Wurst. H
In 2018, he said: “As a public broadcaster, we also cannot broadcast live at 9 p.m. — when children are still awake — someone like the bearded Austrian who wore a skirt, do not believe in genders and says that he is both a man and a woman.”
Has Måneskin inspired Turkey?
Italy’s victory, however, seems to have sat differently with TRT. It’s also worth noting that Turkey has traditionally done very well with rock bands: maNga came second, Athena was fourth and Mör ve Ötesi finished seventh. Perhaps Måneskin’s rock triumph has renewed the Turkish broadcaster’s interest in Eurovision.
It’s not only the broadcaster, the Turkish public has also responded to this year’s contest. As of June 19, almost one month after Eurovision, Turkey’s Spotify charts are still filled with Måneskin songs.
Just like in the UK, “I Wanna Be Your Slave” is enjoying a bigger impact than that of “Zitti e Buoni”, and it’s currently on top of Turkey’s Viral 50. The winning entry is also in the chart, at No.4. “Shum”, “Dark Side” and “Voilà” are still charting too, showing there’s still great interest in Eurovision in Turkey.
Do you think Turkey will be back in the end? Is this rumour more realistic than in previous years? Are you excited to have Turkey back? What do you expect from their return? Tell us in the comment section below!
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As long as Erdogan is in charge, Turkey will never return to Eurovision unfortunately. This means that we’ll possibly have to wait until 2024 for Turkey to return because they have elections in 2023. Same applies to Hungary, who have an election next year and thus won’t be participating in Eurovision that year.
I hope it’s just “rumours”…
EBU: Turkey, we need you, please come back! It doesn’t matter how homophobe your politicians are, come back!
Also EBU: Slovakia, Andorra, Monaco, Luxembourg and the rest – who cares about you? What do you want here at ESC? Go back in your corner and stay there while the rest of Europe parties…!
I’ve never understood why the entries from Turkey in 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2012 got such high placings, I simply never liked those dispite their top spots on the scoreboard.
On the topic itself: It would be nice to see Turkey back, but the country isn’t so much into “Open up” or “Building Bridges” while they dismiss some minorities and have questionable worldviews to go by. Same goes for Hungary currently.
Same goes for Poland, Azerbeijan, Russia and Israel but they’re in.
Yeah that’s true, but if we think about the countries that aren’t currently participating I’m a bit doubtful if EBU should convince them to come back.
Turkey is literally among the gayest countries in Europe trust me :””’D
Watch Kerimcan Durmaz – Pesimde :fire: he should represent us inshallah
With that said we should wait for 2023/24 and not let Erdogan use the contest in his advantage which I’m sure is his agenda here. He is losing the election.
xx a Turk
In my opinion, this is Erdogan’s political game falling in the polls, and here I will give you Eurovision, and in return start liking me again
EBU: Since we kicked Belarus out let’s bring back Turkey. We can handle 3 dictatorships at a time…
This is absolutely unfortunate. Unless Turkey embraces EBU and its rules, there is no reason why EBU and Eurovision fans should embrace Turkey.
And i also hope for a JESC debut this year for them
I really really which that Turkey should re-join Eurovision. BUT Turkey has to play by the rules of everyone else, i.e. broadcast the show the previous year (are they doing it?), accept the voting rules and not try to change them, and accept display of different sexualities others than the hetero normative.
Turkey does not broadcast ESC, followers have to watch via internet without TV commentators and translators.
The “show the previous year” rule hasn’t been in place since the introduction of the semi-final. 🙂
I am pretty sure that this is still a requirement, even if it is not a life transmission. That has been an issue with Hungary as well I believe
You know, this is a song contest with “national” entries representing countries, so I don’t think it makes sense to complain about Turkey or any other country having a big advantage due to its diaspora living in Europe. As things stand, Turkey will ALWAYS vote 12 pts to Azerbaijan. Greece will ALWAYS vote 12 pts to Cyprus, and vice versa. What do you expect anyway? Regarding the LGBT+ issue with Turkey’s broadcaster, this is also so predictable. This government lets someone like Conchita Wurst to sing a song, live, at 9 pm, on national television, they will definitely receive huge… Read more »
That neighbour voting is annoying, yet perfectly legal from the televote. But if the juries do it, too, it should be fined in some way (looking at you, Greece and Cyprus).
Has it ever been explicitly explained what TRT’s issue with the voting system is exactly? Because my suspicion is that they want 100% televoting back so they can benefit from the diaspora and they’re sour over them not winning in 2012…
2010 not 2012 we are ok with what we got there.
I know there is a turkish diaspora but I am surprised how everyone defends juries when it comes to ?s while eurovision people are generally against the juries.
From what I remember that was exactly it.
Yep, they claimed that the reintroduction of the juries was unfair somehow.
and they remember it 3 years later. L I E S
The Turkish entry in 2012 was absolutely dreadful. The fact that it finished in the top 10 is beyond me. But Turkey’s reasoning was that they were unhappy with the jury system for an obvious reason and wanted to be in the Big 5 and EBU said no.
I remember the commentator of Turkey being so angry that Turkey did not qualify in 2011.
Why is everyone acting like Turkish diaspora was the sole reason for our success? In 10 years we had a 1st place a 2nd place 3 4th places and 2 other top 10s. Sertab was a worthy winner she went on to be top 10 song in the 50th anniversary contest. I dont think anybody dislikes We Could Be the Same it is still one of th best 2nd places we have. We all know how popular düm tek tek still is, more in europe than in Turkey. For Real was one of the best host country songs also it… Read more »
I don’t think anyone is claiming it was the sole reason. Turkey had a lot of good entries. But on the other hand one can’t deny that diaspora voting secured them top 10 results even when their entries weren’t that good.
And I’m sorry, but except for Athena, all of those entries you’ve mentioned got higher than they should have. Remember we’re not talking about 8th or 9th places but rather 2nd and 4th.
People need to understand that as long as Erdogan’s party is in power, Turkey will NOT participate in Eurovision. Unfortunately, political parties determine whether a country participates in Eurovision or not. Right-wing nationalism has been plaguing Europe for the last decade, and I truly hope to see the return of progressive governments across Europe that embrace everything Eurovision stands for.
In the meantime, the EBU should focus on the return of Slovakia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Luxembourg and Andorra.
Ironically though, Turkey has sent some of its most progressive stuff like Sertab Erener or Athena under Erdogan’s reign. But well … ‘the times, they are a-changin”. 🙁
The history is repeating itself in Europe… a truly cursed continent.
Nope. Latin América is cursed.
Latin America and South East Asia say hi…
Let’s just settle for ‘The whole world is cursed’ at this point. 🙁
I say the more countries the better. Anyway, I’m not fully convinced about Turkey coming back because it would, of course, mean that they would recieve a lot of points from the Turkish diaspora and neighbouring countries, therefore altering the scoreboard and making it even more unfair. We have enough with Russia.
Also the scoreboard lame excusei obviously not the reason behind the withdrawal. They are always favoured and will be, most of the juries are not that different than the televote.
so many good turkish artists would be perfect for eurovision! personally, can’t wait for edis to finally appear on the big stage
The scoring system sure wasn’t the reason why they didn’t broadcast Eurovision 2013..
Given the recent direction of Orban’s government I think Turkey might be technically more pro LGBTQ at this point than Hungary, and whilst Erdogan is definitely homophobic that takes a backseat to nationalism and anti democratic rhetoric. Also because he’s nationalist he might not mind TRT re entering ESC to give Turkey another competition to win.
Especially after not making it past the group stage in Euro 2020
Who cares about that. We are in the Final 4 in Nations League and will play in the Olympics in women’s volleybal. It’s very famous here
I only believe it when I see it !!
Babushka and hamster wheel happened with the juries in place. Also the juries ranked the babushka 11th in 2012, which is shockingly high and was higher than songs such as Cyprus and France that were more serious and arguably considered more jury-friendly.
Trt: Get rid of juries!
Ebu: no.
Trt: get rid of juries PLEASE?
ebu: how about, no.
Literally Turkey is the no.1 offender when it comes to inflated televote points from their diaspora nations. How can they complain about fairness with a straight face.
Just reading that Can Bonomo came 4th in the televote … while I appreciate that they sent a jewish singer (and I think many others did, too), his song was godawful and shouldn’t have finished anywhere on the left side. TRT really hasn’t got any reason to complain.
a change of heart? I doubt it.
That TRT director is so arrogant and rude. Implying that he did not like the previous executive producer but he likes the new one (even though both are from Nordic countries). He attacked Conchita and the LGBT community of Eurovision in the past but also blamed the voting system. I really like the Turkish entries and I wish the best for ESC fans in Turkey but honestly i don’t want them to return under the current leadership. In addition, I don’t want to see Turkey/France/Netherlands all giving 12p to Turkey in the televoting no matter of the quality of the… Read more »
Turkey trolling the fandom
once again. LMAO
I swear if they come back and behave like Belarus… I don’t care then. Turkey was like a pretentious baby before withdrawing and I don’t think they’ve changed. Prepare for a headache, EBU.
Best news I have seen lately
If they return they should send She past away!
Hell yeah!
After these new comments by Mr. Eren, I wouldn’t mind if they remained absent. Like … who do they think they are?
Well.. Just like the the article says Turkey have some significant ratings and it was always very excited to wait Turkey’s next show year after year while watching some boring Scandinavian band. ‘Who do they think they are? ‘ First, second, third, fourth and seventh places not enough?
I think the EBU already made clear it isn’t about viewing figures. Else they would have ignored the censorship by the Chinese broadcaster a few years ago.
And Turkey’s results are even less of a reason. Or do you think Belarus should have been allowed to participate this year if only they’ve had scored good enough results the years before?
Also, as many already said, the diaspora voting always gave Turkey a free pass to the Top 10 back in the televoting-only days. Hence some of their results, and especially Can Bonomo’s, were undeservingly good.
“We’re not going to participate until the scoring system changes”… In other words: “We want to go back to a 100% televote system in which our diaspora gives us an unfair advantage, which gave us a streak of top 10 placings in the 2000s with very average songs thanks to constant 12 televote points from Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium, France, etc”. And you gotta admire the chutzpah, since they’re not even trying to hide their intention. The voting system is fine as it is, and as far as I’m concerned Turkey can stay out until their autocratic system and anti-LGBTQ+… Read more »
Let’s admit those lumpen proletariat of europe who don’t vote for Turkey because of the country:)
Turkey has huge population, that means huge rating. You can sum up all those countries and multiply with 10 and that still does not catch the number. That’s basically why EBU wants Turkey to be back. Other than that, they know our broadcaster and the administration is pain in the a**.
I have a feeling ESC 2022 will be amazing! I need also Andorra, Hungary, Montenegro, Armenia and Bosnia-Herzegovina back. About Slovakia, Kazakhstan and Luxembourg I am confident they will stay out – unfortunately!
Also Hungary and Bosnia&Herzegovina are confidently out, I can’t see them coming back in the near future unfortunately
Armenia is the most likely to return, as well as Andorra. I don’t think Luxembourg, Slovakia, Bosnia and Hungary will return soon – but who knows!
For Turkey, it sounds maybe too good to be real, it sounds as optimistic as Kazakhstan’ Khabar Agency saying there is a chance to get invited to ESC
Andorra won’t return
Kazakhstan isn’t in Europe.
Australia said hi
I think it is great that countries are starting to show interest in coming back but I’m not too keen on Turkey currently because of the blatant homophobia bigotry. Who is to say they wont just leave again if another queer person wins and then make it another big deal
As a Turkish person I can say %99 of Turkish people don’t care about if a LGBT person win or lose. we are just enjoying for the ride. But unfortunately bigot %1 is on charge right now 🙁
Omg, I really hope it will happen. It would be amazing if Martin will bring back Turkey like how Jon Ola brought Italy back last decade. I really want to see Turkey, Armenia and Andorra coming back next year
Agree with them about the voting system 100% why do millions of people who have to pay money to vote, get overturned by 5 so called professionals. Music is subjective, what you consider a good song or not is personal, it’s not something scientific you can be an expert in.
because acts like serhat would get top 10, because we would’ve had a kirkorov mafia song win in 2016, becuase keiino would’ve won in 2019… which is just, no. without juries eurovision would go back to being the circus with trash acts it was back in the 2000s. juries are here 2 stay, as they should! 😉
Amen!
Did you watch the jury voting this year? They are more biased than public vote. Literally every country’s jury gave their top points to their neighbors.
…..and televote isnt? let’s just take switzerland’s televote consistently giving the top grades to serbia, portugal and italy which just so happen to be some of the biggest immigrant groups in switzerland, curious! 🙂 also idk what you‘ve been watching but neighborless malta consistently getting jury points, Bulgaria getting points from western europe etc. so idk what you’re getting at here genuinely.. both are flawed but pure televote just doesn’t work! you saw the horrible music the 2000s contests produced….
Then Italy and France must have a strange geographic…
Australia got 12 points from Ukraine. Next.
Genuine questions. What’s wrong with Keiino? I though their song was really good and a deserved televote winner?
I agree. He is right in his comment, but not the Keiino’s thing, Spirit in the sky was awesome
Juries reduce diaspora votes, and sometimes they reward songs which have a composing merit like Portugal or Belgium. It’s not a perfect system at all, in fact, it’s the worst one except for all the ones who have been tried in the past. Maybe having more jurors (10 or more) helps i guess.
If they come back, great. I always enjoyed the Turkish entries, (well…except 2012), but generally they brought some tunes.
However I’d rather they have a different attitude to their participation if I’m honest. What if another LGBTQ+ act wins? Which is a very strong possibility. Will they withdraw again??
Of course come back, but come back with the right mindset.
A lot of those things seem to have changed since 2012… Our irreplaceable CEO Jon Ola Sand was replaced, the voting system changed multiple times in favour of the televoting, the contest is now broadcast in Turkey in 10pm instead of 9 and so many Turkish or Turkish-friendly artists have participated, (Serhat, Efendi, Lindita etc) yet I don’t believe a return is under way, at least before the government becomes more LGBTQ+ friendly
you’re right eurovision had many Turkish friendly acts , i’m following their Turkish fan page and i often see the news about many Eurovision singers go to Turkey for vacation…
Gianluca from IL VOLO was there and Jonida is still currently in Bodrum i guess ? And Hurricane said Turkey is the first country they want to visit after the pandemic , and many many others went there previous years..
My point is Europe is very nice to them and they should take a step and get out of their closet
Wait really? I thought Hurricane wanted to go to Greece or Croatia or something…
i found the full article and translated some parts of it and acording to google translate Ivana : ”I have never been to Turkey before , I’ve only seen Turkey in pictures.Turkey will definetely the first country I will visit after the pandemic.” Sanja : ”We would like to go to Turkey and perform there , when we were little we all watched Spanish TV Series and learned Spanish this way, now most of them have learned Turkish because most of young people watch Turkish TV Series.” Ksenija : ” I haven’t had the opportunity to go to Istanbul yet… Read more »
I do really hope Turkey can return to Eurovision. Undoubtedly, they had given us a lot excellent performances. Come back, pls!
I would love to see Turkey back. If they do return, they should be willing to accept the fact that there would likely be some sort of pro-LGBTQ+ content in the show, which is usually the case. The EBU should stress that they will not accept any censorship of entries with an LGBTQ+ theme, such as Ireland 2018, Austria 2014, Lithuania 2015 etc. As for the voting system, I think the Turks are right about this one. They obviously have a big advantage with the Turkish diaspora all over Europe, but the juries were consistently voting them down. If this… Read more »
lol the last paragraph is whole wrong… Turkish diaspora is the thing that it’s unfair not the jury system… and the juries aren’t marking them down… they are marking them where they think they should be.
yes, but Italian TV is very similar to Turkish TV, in both public and private Italian TV gays are not shown much, the most broadcasted show on Italian TV is Eurovision and therefore I believe that this satisfies the standards of Turkish TV , Hungarians, Polish … Gays and lesbians are still a fairly taboo subject on TV, not to mention nudity absolutely forbidden on Italian TV
Erdogan knows that to win he must give his people bread and circuses Like the old romans says Panem et circenses for they citizens
As long as they don’t pull a belarus and send some random conservative erdogan puppet.
Don’t get your hopes up. I’m not betting that Turkey will be back.
As a Turkish Eurovision fun ,I don’t believe TRT(Turkis radio television) never come back to the competition again unless the government has changed in Turkey
The voting system issue was a completely cover story. Government strictly against to LGBT+ community . TRT working like propaganda machine of the government..They show just what government want to show the people.They even censored a Netflix turkish series just because there was a gay character on the script.
I wish to see my country in Eurovision again but that would ve just a dream with TRT, anymore. SORRY
‘After a long time, they had a good contest’ babe please. 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2021 were all great. I would like Turkey back, but I really don’t want the Turkey that hates gay people and juries – instead, the Turkey that brings us great entries. I doubt they will return, though, but I’m not necessarily opposed.
Erdogan him self and his gavrment are homophobic and antisemitic..cant see they return as long as Erdogan rules there..thats a pity for liberal turks who really love and miss the competition.
I’m not asking you darling since you love Israel so much………..
Where was Israel even mentioned?
as long as turkey pursues an anti LGBTQ policy they should not be allowed to return to eurovision and while we’re at it we should also ban hungary who’s anti lgbtq rhetoric has become more apparent recently
As an Israeli im super proud of Tel Aviv edition wich cheers to LGBT community, i was so happy to see LGBT kissing in the live shows..it was Amazing!! The best contest ever..
Also watching in the second semi final a band with disabilities singers and artists..thats how you deliver and really celebrate diversity!
And the HATARI showing the Palestinian flag was the moment. We indeed need more Eurovisions like that.
Yes. Human rights has always been the key word in Israeli decisions. We all know that too well…..
Yes it is, thanks for recognizing it!!!atleast tel aviv 2019 was all about celebrating LGBT starting with the Host Assi Azar who told the all world in live show his story when he realized he is gay, Dana internetional and Conchita performances,Netta’s toy male dancer’s with red heels and LGBT kissing in front all of the world..didn’t see it in other hosting countries so eat you heart bit****
Tel aviv 2019 was fine but the lgbt aspect felt so forced into the shows.. I’m glad we didn’t do that this year.
It was not forced!!!!!!!!! its the reality in Israel ! in Israel there are many rights for the LGBT community, do you know that Israel is the only state in the middle east which recognizes the civil marriage of LGBT couples? As for the competition this year, I did not enjoyed it and for me it was very boring and anemic, one of the worst editions, sorry.
In the netherlands a good lgbt environment is also reality but that remark of assi azar towards the spanish dude was so awkward
It’s called humor, it was funny!
It was not. Even Miki himself felt uncomfortable.
for me and for many others it was funny!
First of all, do you think the production did not ask Mickey’s permission before? After all, they rehearse every segment.
Second things. Micky is follows Assi on Instagram so apparently he kind of like Assi and not really hurt by him mind you!
In a competition watched by millions, it is good to convey messages of diversity as the Israeli production did and it is not good to be anemic and boring!
a message of diversity can be portrayed in a much better way than showing a gay kiss cam and the host thirsting over a contestant.
Tel Aviv 2019 has produced a message of diversity in all sorts of ways, not only by the host, but also by transgenders performances , and also a performance by Shalva band with two blind soloists and musicians with disabilities.
and Israel is the only and first competition which made audio description accessible to the blind and hard of hearing and even won an international prize for it.
It was on the script I think. Surely Miki knew well in advance.
You won’t believe it but gay people can even marry in Netherlands. (Pretends to be shocked.)
Pls don’t even compare gay rights issues with a country like Netherlands, which is a far pioneer about that.
I think lin was referring to Israel relative to Middle Eastern countries
I know that… i guess you dont know how to read, because i never wrote anything about LGBT in Netherlands..
Go away with your antisemitic mind ugly critter! Long live Israel!!!!!!!!!
disliking Israel as a government and what the government does in not anti-semitic. however, being ok with the murder of thousands of people from a certain ethnic minority in your own country is in fact what some would call abhorrent. the world is laughing at and is fearful of your country, Lin. I hope you can do something do change that.
BlaBla Bla all you wrote are pure lies!
Israel is in war against terrorism mind you! Go educate yourself before writing nonsense and lies..you probably read fake news!
You stop embarrassing your self and go f***( your self!
the 2022 edition in italy satisfies the canons of turkish tv, on italian tv gay issues are never dealt with on tv
OH MY GOD PLEASE STOP ARGUING IN THE COMMENTS ABOUT ISRAEL, it’s getting awkward
(Oh, and btw the comment isn’t targeted to Erik, I just wanted it to be kinda high up on the comment thread for the… NEGOTIATORS to see it)
I would have agreed but it’s kinda hard to think it’s nothing but diversity and inclusivity when it’s Israel, that has very bad reputation about pinkwashing, we are talking about.
And with the first bad result they will be out again. Those “key managers” are probably a bunch of angry men who will use the contest for political purposes. These talks don’t sit right with me.
The ego that the Turkish broadcaster demonstrates is astonishing. Do they really think EBU is going to change the voting system and/or ban LGBT contestants just because they’re that desperate to have Turkey back? Lmao. It’s more likely they’re searching for excuses for being sore losers and bullies and will slither back in if they think it would be commercially beneficial.
ALEYNA TILKI PERIOD.
Aleyna Tilki & Edis collaboration we stan
Once they allow Belarus to compete again, I’d love to see Turkey back as well.
So apparently it’s less LGBT now according to Turkey? Did they see who win? Måneskin is a wonderful bisexual manifest, did they miss it?
And it’s unlikely the big 5 system and jury voting will change any time soon which seemed to be the major issue for Turkey’s retreat, so unless I see them confirmed I won’t believe it..
Exactly, Maneskin were very open about being bi and inclusive. Also Duncan is openly gay and vocal about LGBTQ issues, Amar Pelos Dois was gender-inclusive, the Israeli host was open about his husband, etc. Yeah I think that Turkish guy must have missed all that.
Duncan’s bi. Being engaged to a man doesn’t change that.
Way to miss the point, but thanks for your intervention 😉
If we’re going to talk about LGBT and Eurovision, we should at the very least get those sexualities right, no?
Do come back but leave the phobias and bigotry behind and we’re fine.. 😀 no system change, take it or leave it Turkey
this is the most positive statement from Turkish channel since their withdrawal..
Public attention is so huge , the director can’t last forever