Romania: Eurovision 2024 participation isn’t guaranteed because of financial trouble

The deadline for countries to confirm their intent to participate at Eurovision 2024 is September 15. But if reporting from Romanian newspaper Libertatea has it right, Romania’s state broadcaster still hasn’t decided whether to compete. 

The newspaper says that several sources in and around the broadcaster have echoed the same claim: “Romania will not participate in Eurovision 2024 due to financial problems.”

In Liverpool, Romania achieved its worst result ever with Theodor Andrei earning zero points in his semi-final. That came after TVR spent a reported 400,000 euros to participate in Eurovision 2023. That included a 180,000 euro participation fee plus “plane tickets, accommodation, per diems for the members of the delegation, but also other important amounts for the organization of the National Selection in Bucharest.”

The paper explains that the broadcaster’s Board of Directors must make the decision because the budget for participation would exceed 100,000 euros. They haven’t yet discussed it. 

Libertatea reached out to the president and general manager of TVR who decline to comment, instead passing them on to the PR team. They issued this statement:

“The subject of participation in Eurovision 2024 has not been discussed at the level of SRTv management, which is why, for now, no decision has been made in this regard.”

If the state broadcaster isn’t willing or able to cover the fees involved with participation, it might consider following the lead of Bosnia & Herzegovina in 2016 or Bulgaria in 2022. In those instances the broadcaster shifted most expenses to the competing acts, who, through fundraising, sponsorship and/or personal wealth managed compete.

Another way to reduce expenses? Bypass Selectia Nationala and instead internally select an act who, along with their record label, might be able to split the bill.

The Eurovision Romania Community group has suggested that the Romanian media report is false. They’ve also suggested that an internal selection remains an option.

https://x.com/ercommunity_/status/1700179885946294702?s=46&t=l3NtwK6N1AjTRzpd3noaHQ

M I H A I “willing” to sing for Romania

When we think of an internal selection, our eyes and ears turn to names like INNA, Bella Santiago, Olivia Addams, Alexandra Stan, and Laura Bretan. But one singer who would apparently love an invite is Mihai Trăistariu.

Mihai — who in recent years has been known as M I H A I — landed on the Eurofan radar back in Athens at Eurovision 2006 when he placed fourth with “Tornero.” He’s subsequently attempted to represent Romania four times between 2016 and 2019.

Writing on Facebook last week, he said he was on the market for a potential Eurovision song….but that he isn’t willing to pay for it.

“I’m looking for a composer with a current sound, with whom to work a wow song for Eurovision 2024. Recommendations?” 

“I won’t pay anything because I’ve never paid for a song. I follow the same principle that I’m Mihai Trăistariu and whoever wants to send me a good song, gives it to me. ‘Tornero’ was not paid for.”

“I’ve never paid for my hits…Noted artists are given songs as gifts, because [songwriters] earn from the royalties afterwards.”

He also claimed that he has never paid for any of the 140 songs on his albums.

So what do you think? Do you hope that Romania returns? Should they stage an internal selection? Let us know your thoughts down below…