The long-awaited answer regarding Romania‘s participation in Eurovision 2024 finally came on Thursday when, after a general meeting of the Board of Directors, the national broadcaster TVR issued a statement to the Romanian press.
The national broadcaster came with a negative answer regarding participation in the contest, stating as a main reason the “financial constraints”.
Discussions about how TVR manages Romania’s artistic acts in Eurovision were sparked last year by the past Romanian representative, Theodor Andrei.
Romania withdraws from Eurovision 2024
At the end of 2023, Romania received a postponement from the EBU regarding their response to participation in Eurovision 2024. Romania had failed to pay the participation fee before the initial deadline. However, TVR was granted an additional opportunity to reconsider their participation. The decision was reached on Thursday, January 25th, during a board meeting in which 13 members of the Board of Directors cast their votes.
TVR declared:
“Financial constraints and the desire to represent Romania at a high level are the reasons why the Board of Directors has decided that TVR will not participate in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest (ESC).
The decision was made in today’s meeting, January 25, with 5 votes “for,” 4 “abstentions,” and 4 “against.”
On the same day, the Board of Directors approved the budget for SRTv (Romanian Television Society) in 2024, which does not include sufficient funds to guarantee Romania’s participation according to the increasingly high standards of the international competition.
This year, in addition to established productions, TVR is allocating substantial resources for other priority productions and projects. Among them: broadcasting the Summer Olympic Games from Paris, continuing the process of upgrading – automating the broadcast of SRTv channels, investments in the news production system, continuing investments in the new TVR Craiova headquarters, and other long-postponed modernization projects.
Although benefiting from an extended deadline for registration in the 2024 competition, thanks to a traditional collaboration with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the organiser of the competition, TVR is forced to postpone participation in the Eurovision Song Contest for a future edition.
Eurovision 2024 will take place in the city of Malmö, Sweden, the country whose representative won the 2023 edition of the competition. Over the years, several countries, such as Hungary, Turkey, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, or North Macedonia, have decided not to participate in the international competition.”
Romania last qualified for the Eurovision grand final in 2022, when Andrei Ursu (WRS) represented the country. This achievement came after three consecutive years of non-qualifications.
What are your thoughts regarding TVR’s decision? Let us know in the comments below.
At some point, probably after Eurovision 2024 is over, the EBU has got to address the constant withdrawal of countries due to financial issues paying the fee. It’s a vicious cycle where the fees hike up when there are fewer countries participating but it could get worse if nothing is done to mitigate it. I also just realized that this is the first time since 1999 that there are no countries beginning with R at Eurovision. I hope Romania takes its year off time wisely to reorganize and reconfigure its approach to Eurovision.
When you saw what they did with Roxen, then it just makes me so annoyed. They had the song, the artist but destroyed any chances with terrible staging. That girl wasn’t experienced enough to sing and be flung around the stage like that. That was such an opportunity wasted.
stream Cristian Porcari – Doare everyone
so good
Like f1 they need a budget cap. Everyone has the same money every year to spend.
After what the broadcaster did to Theodor, I celebrate this decision. The ESC should not be a place for corrupt and wicked executives.
Okay, now ban Israel
Why, though?
As the song goes…
Israel: “Hey EBU, so what’s up with us this year, are you going to ban us from ESC?”
EBU: “No… Why? You did nothing wrong.”
Israel: “But you know.. with all that hate around the world, you are very brave, thank you!”
EBU: “Let’s make it clear Israel, OK?”
Israel: “What?”
EBU: “NO i don’t care about them all, cause all I want is to be loved, and all I care about is YOU HO HO, you stuck on me like a tattoo…”
Israel: “Aww..Thanks brothers!”
It’d be better for them to just take a break and return whenever they feel it’s better for them to reconsider. Romania used to be a pwoerhouse but their entries’ quality (often, results as well) has been dramatically falling ever since 2018.
They don’t need a break. They just need to choose better.
For choosing better, they need to change their approach. For changing their approach, they need time, and there wasn’t such a big window to work on for this year
I remember mid to late 2000s thinking a Romanian win was inevitable, just a matter of time, it was a powerhouse that never missed the final.
Then 2015 onwards fell to mid table, 2018 onwards can’t even qualify.
The worst ESC-related downgrade of all time 🙁
2017 was my no.1 by a huge margin tbh, am still in love with Yodel It
It’s for the better, Romania definitely needs a break, hopefully they’ll return stronger than before.
It wasn’t a surprise tbh. We haven’t heard anything on any song or artist for Romania throughout this current preseason. Also, let’s flashback to 2016 when Ovidu Anton when he was kicked out when the EBU blockaded TVR for financial reasons 3 weeks before the shows that was really cruel. Between 2018 and 2022 no qualifications even with warmly received entries with The Humans, Ester Peony and Roxen with the latter’s cancelled 2020 entry being in the running for a potential winner. Since the 2017 entry of Yodel It with Illncia & Alex Florea which finished in 7th place and… Read more »
Missing the rapid dissapearance of poorer countries…. The contest has become to skewed to favor western and Northern Europe with their slick pop music and high budgets.
Don`t forget Latvia, They just have fun
You’re right Alex, and whoever will be the first to afford to use one of those Boston Dynamic robots will definitely win.
As for Romania, can’t say I’m surprised. 2019 was the beginning of their fall. They used to be a powerhouse and I believe that taking a break could potentionally bring them back to their golden age when they make a comeback. It worked for some countries.
I think you mean 2018, which was the first time they ever failed to qualify. That was definitely the start of the dark ages for Romania.
No, 2019. Not because of the missed qualification. Sometimes strong countries fail to qualify. It happens. But for Romania 2019 was the year something obviously wasn’t working for them anymore.
Just so you know, Iceland is putting big bets on THEMSELVES, just like Malta did back in 2021. Not voting for cheaters!
They are not only cheaters but terror supporters which is much worst…iceland, no one wants you at eurivision
Speak for yourself. I and many others really want Iceland to be in Eurovision and never ever leave!
Of course, Iceland is the spoiled little brother to Norwegians and Danes
At least they are honest, take Ireland for example actively not trying to do well on the competition since the 90s ?. Respect to Romania
I’m honestly baffled they got this much time to consider in the first place. Romania has a lot of things to consider doing differently.
First and most importantly, they need to learn how to properly treat their representatives
Honestly, I would rather them take a break, and use the time to save up and participate the right way, than force a sad, half-hearted approach like they did last year (no offense to Theodor, I just mean it’s obvious he received little to no support from TVR).
That’s exactly what I was thinking too.
Today the new scenography of the next Sanremo festival in Italy was revealed:
So like every year…?
TWO staircases this year!
It looks like an insect’s head.
You know, Icelandic participation is also in question. RUV has no wish to clap for occupiers and be called anti-Semitic at the same time if they are not giving their 12 points to the promised land in a fictional fairytale. Much respect to the Icelandic if they dare to actually boycott the contest due to the Israeli war in Palestine. Unlike NRK, which knows how to talk but does nothing. At the end of the day, every heart must have a chance to beat, thus, Jews are not entitled to decide who can live or who must die. It is… Read more »
I love Iceland but the fact that they specifically announced the Palestinian artist competing in their NF before everyone else who is competing as well is quite frankly disgusting. I never expected this from the Icelandic broadcaster. There is no innocent explanation for this. It’s like openly saying „Look, here’s who you gotta vote for. We chose for you“. Unbelievable. Never thought Iceland could ever lose my support but that’ll do.
Israeli here.
People were so afraid we might try to get political votes like happened in 2022 with Ukraine, but as it seems, we’re not the only ones (although, most Israelis wouldn’t want to win like that).
Look at Iceland’s odds – they went straight up to 2nd place in the betting odds to win after that!
Iceland is playing very dirty, such a shame.
I have to agree, it’s appalling. I wonder what the nine other contestants in Iceland are thinking, the ones RUV doesn’t announce prematurely. Do they all agree that they shouldn’t win? Then why have this competition at all? The broadcaster made their own contest completely dirty and devalued their own participants before we even heard any second of any song.
Some think Bashar’s song – Nafas – is his entry, which is in Arabic.
Aren’t they supposed to sing in Icelandic first as well? Good luck with that…
I think they even had a rule that the artist had to be either Icelandic or a resident in Iceland. But I guess that rule was dropped in favor of playing politics. Russia 2017 is nothing compared to this, honestly.
Marketa is an actual Icelandic citizen, maybe this guy is too.
Doubtful, since they advertise him being Palestinian.
He could be a resident as the rules state. They don’t say you have to be born in Iceland to compete, just being an Icelandic citizen or resident.
I believe he has been a resident since last Monday.
Well, that’s convenient.
Just checked his bio and nothing seems to link him to Iceland, besides a collaboration with Hatari in 2019
I don’t think we’ve ever had Icelandic songs previously released before being announced as competing in the national final. It might not be it and something else. We’ll have to see on Saturday.
The lengths RUV has gone for virtue signaling are disgusting
If all this are true that he has no connection to Iceland whatsoever and recieved his membership earlier this week, then RUV has thrown ALL it´s credability and trustworthy directly into the bin.
This is beoynd disgusting, to scream “We want Israel to withdraw” and then have a Palestinian in their own national final is so hypocrite,
I would have been furious if SVT had done something like this I can say
do you think Israel might throw the contest by sending a bad song on purpose so that if they fail to qualify, at least it’s a legit reason?
I really don’t want us to do so. I think we should always aim for the best.
So far, the singers in our national final are trying hard to win and it seems they can sing, at least.
Will the song be bad on purpose? Hopefully not, and hopefully not political, I think we’re better than that
I know nobody wants to send a bad song, but I do fear is that even if you guys have a very good song, people won’t vote for you because of the war and deliberately tank you out of the semi finals, regardless of song quality. I also hope that the israeli song won’t fall afoul of the rules regarding politics in songs, but I worry that something might get snuck in there anyway, because of the requirement that the song has to have some Hebrew lyrics. Remember Belarus in 2021? Or you could send the most inoffensive bland song… Read more »
It’s inevitable, some won’t vote for us anyway, and some will vote for us anyway. I agree, I hope it won’t be a political song, but I think it’s going to be a very subtle message. Even Unicorn, when having a context to it, sounds like a song about Israel and Israelis. Politics will always be a part of the voting but I hope our song will be good and as clean as possible :\ Having Hebrew lyrics is just this year, because of the war, and it’s not difficult to have. We did it anyway in different years. And… Read more »
Did the broadcaster actually announce it, or is just a leak from some crystal ball type looking to get a scoop?
i read on the broadcaster’s website ruv.is and nobody else was mentioned. They even went out of their way to stress him being Palestinian. https://www.ruv.is/frettir/innlent/2024-01-24-palestinumadurinn-murad-keppir-i-songvakeppninni-403313
Oh, thanks. Never heard of him, but I just listened to his latest song. Not bad. He seems to be a living answer to that propaganda video aimed at LGBT people you mentioned a while ago.
Conchita-esque, so I can believe he is a genuine fan of the contest. Timing, though.
Do you think that warrants the Icelandic broadcaster’s behavior, though? Because to me, that also looks like the golden propaganda treatment. There are supposed to ten artists competing, but apparently, only one has the desired label RUV seems to be going for. I’m speechless.
*supposed to be
The article you gave says all acts and songs will be unveiled on Saturday. He’s just had a tiny head start over the others by having his name mentioned, and that could just be because there would understandably be interest in it. Maybe we don’t even have all the details yet, I wouldn’t be surprised if it is a collaboration with Hatari. That would probably get around the residency rules. You could be totally right, but I will reserve my judgement… for now. Chances are that,yes, it is totally using the contest as a political platform.
But I don’t think we’ve ever had one named announced before the official reveal of all the Icelandic entries. That’s a change of pace.
I don’t count this as an “announcement”. Just a news report. He was spotted filming an interview with the host of the contest, so curious reporters inquired. The producer of the final declined to comment.
Boycotting the contest isn’t rare or brave. Countries did so in 1970 for example, after the tie of 1969. Your opinions regarding Israel and the Jews, however, are antisemitic, and not because you have critisicm, which is legitimate, but because you treat us as something different. As if we really just think we’re better than anyone and killing whoever we want. Also, Israel is not just Jews. Go look at all the Muslim Arabs, mourning over their dead family members who died protecting Israel as soldiers! Or those who were murdered on October 7th! I can’t with people anymore… If… Read more »
You’ve got some nerve saying that, considering your country actually collaborated with the Nazis to exterminate nearly the entire Jewish population in Lithuania, to the point I think there are more Jews of Lithuanian descent outside Lithuania today than within the country itself.
Some say Lithuania was once one of the largest countries in Europe, thus being an occupier of the majority of Balts and Slavs. Some even dare to say the Roman Empire was once fighting for most of the lands in the Medditerean region. You see, the thing is, smart people learn from the past; idiots are meant to repeat it. For all we know, a huge portion of the Jewish population in Lithuania collaborated with the Soviets in making a list of Lithuanians who have to be genocided (as in, deported to Siberia as you go). And a huge portion… Read more »
Respect? Just so you know, Iceland is putting big bets on THEMSELVES, just like Malta did back in 2021. Not voting for cheaters!
How do you know that’s the case? It could be like Israel getting to the top of the odds because of politics and the same could be happening here with Iceland.
Because no random better places such massive bets on a country that isn’t even sure yet if it’s going to participate this year. Way too early. You don’t jump all of a sudden from 18th place to 2nd (soon 1st) just for mentioning a possible representive. Especially coming from a country that doesn’t have a good track record. We’ve seen it before, with Destiny. The Malta team created the hype themselves by doing the same thing. It was fake hype. Israel is a different case. The betters assume it’s the Ukraine effect. Yes, political, but not quite the same. Besides,… Read more »
Gamblers are just that, gamblers. There doesn’t need to be any reason to it, some are even attracted by long odds because the prize will be bigger. Odds are stupid and count for nothing.
Which is why I put it into context. The timing is sus and the reason is too weak for such jump, especially for a weak country. Placing such high bets (plural, meaning several betters who’ve taken that risk at the same time) on this is far fetched. Iceland is desperate, ever since the EBU announced that they’re not gonna ban Israel. They’re obviously playing dirty, and honestly it’s getting pathetic. But I agree that odds are stupid and count for nothing. Except when they create hype. Hype gets you far. Hopefully when the time for voting comes Iceland will get… Read more »
Agree with you. I find it totally disgusting that someone could justify the murder of more than 10,000 children. Ladies and gentlemen, that can never be justified. It is depressing to see how one country makes another suffer the same way it suffered years ago. Build an artificial island to expel the Palestinians there like a concentration camp? Committing the same atrocities. History will speak.
Wait so actually more voted ‘for’? So the absentions were the only thing stopping Romania from participating?
It needs to be unanimous, so all 13 must’ve voted
in favour*
I agree with many here saying that EBU should start cutting down some irrelevant stuff. I am worried about Eurovision becoming an elite party. Everyone is going “sustainable”, so why doesn’t ESC? It would be great to see Bulgaria, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Andorra, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Romania back someday.
This screams huge loss. ? If I find out Theodor was forced to retire from music, I’ll be so pissed, because record labels shouldn’t forbid singers and bands to release new music. Remember what happened with Kesha a few years ago?
I hate that record labels treat their most of their acts that way. It shouldn’t be so bc their acts are their clients.
I suspect Theodor was forced to retire and it’s such a shame that he won’t have a chance to redeem his career anymore 🙁
It’s sad. No matter how you feel about TVR and the approach it has taken to Eurovision in recent years, it’s always sad when a country drops out. I think the EBU seriously has to think about its strategies when finances are apparently becoming problematic for so many of its members.
Now Iceland, Norway and Ireland needs to withdraw… unless they are hypocrites 🙂
How can they sings in the same stage with Israel (“The bad guys” apparently..)
Iceland, Norway, and Ireland? The Eurovision Song Contest is very important to those three countries. Furthermore, supporting Palestine gets you nowhere.
They can if they send Hatari.
ICJ decision tomorrow, boo
What if the decision doesn’t go the way you want it? Be prepared for anything.
It was the best decision TVR could take tbf, thought their statement comes off as a bad joke. However, this makes me question EBU’s current way of handling the contest and makes me concerned about where the contest’s heading. Feels like 2020/2021 was a mirage.
To be honest, I saw this coming. If they weren’t on the initial list, I had a feeling Romania was never going to be participating in 2024. Probably for the best, considering their disastrous result last year.
and Theodor won’t be allowed to release any more new music from now on
Why not? Is TVR forcing Theodor to retire from music and move on to a different life? He can always try his hand at acting in a TV episode or a movie. Maybe participate in the Romanian dub for non-Romanian visual media?
Honestly though, the statement “the desire to represent Romania at a high level“ is hilarious. Where was this desire last year? lol
easy, to write criticism behind a screen
sad little loser
You’re not obliged to oppose every comment on the site
enjoy your plastic ”songs” in this years plasticvision then
My AI, Breskvica, Baby Lasagna troll, the losers Alyona & Jerry
Bruh, I’m not comfortable with the direction the contest is heading to either, but that doesn’t entitle you to bash everything and everyone on this site
I think it’s schizophrenia tbh.
i used to really love ESC, but now not so much anymore, with all that political drama, making it more expensive so some of my fave countries cannot take part anymore, putting too high debts on one country (Bosnia), everything so plastic in terms of the entries, all about who got the weirdest act nowadays, a shadow of its former self
Or bipolar disorder. Wouldn’t be surprised if either turn out to be the case, anyways
That part sounds like a hopeful note for the future… if I interpreted this correctly.
Bye Bye to Eurovision from me for this year then
Is that a promise? Cause nobody likes you here.
Seriously? You should regain interest or else I’ll make reloving something you dislike a fate.
Not sad. Seems more like a really terrible and corrupt broadcaster to me and less the EBU’s fault. Even so, the contest is heading towards a very questionable future and I don’t have much faith that it’s getting better anytime soon if people like the Norwegian autotune guy have any power. The costs are a problem if they keep core European countries like North Macedonia and Montenegro away but the creative decisions and voting rules are much more worrisome to me.
X2, the creative decisions and voting rules (and how inconsistent their application is) are k!ll!ng the contest’s essence
The last two years I am really questioning where this contest is heading. I have read comments by people stating the unnecessity of the cost of production, which prevents countries from participating but also scares countries to send winning acts because they are expected to host the contest. I love the fact that Eurovision has become so big from the late ’90 onwards and I understand this is a televised competition. However, I really question the cost of production as far when considering this is a SONG contest. Downsize the contest for the sake of having more countries participating. This… Read more »
Hear, hear!
Should everybody also be forced to wear suits and sing ballads too like they used to?
What about artistry and creativity? Is ESC not a place for that? What if someone has a brand new idea he wants to try out? Should they stifle their artistic vision and be told you can’t do this because so and so can’t afford it?
Italy’s Sanremo is literally thé example of a diverse SONG festival (song and genre wise). Ain’t no artist competing that is being restricted. They enter this festival with a vision, that goes beyond the competition. Its merit is huge on the song itself instead of staging and this would be my ideal vision for ESC. Less about staging more about the song, which doesn’t mean that a Kaarija would score less points with the public than a Loreen in such format.
And Sanremo also has beautiful and spectacular stages, even with a whole orchestra to make space for. It’s a brilliant combination of show and music.
Artistry and creativity should not, and need not, be reliant on a big budget.
The stage in Liverpool was plenty small. I don’t think that’s where costs should be cut. It’s like the best thing about Eurovision these days. When songs suck, voting sucks, at least there’s one shiny object left.
I remember someone even proposing to install screens in cities throughout Europe for fans across the continent to watch it instead of doing it in a big arena
Another bad day for Eurovision. The EBU really needs some cost-cutting measures for 2025. Most of South Eastern Europe is Missing at this point.
Abolish all unnecessary offscreen extras. Bye bye, opening ceremony. Cut down costs, and carbon footprint, by not flying out acts and crew to film postcards in the host country. Stop putting so much importance on high cost staging.
What else…?
I nearly forgot the best one. Abolish the unnecessary and unwatched Junior contest.
i wonder why they are so determined to keep it. It never took off anyway. It’s been on life support since it started.
It only survives off the “brand”recognition of the proper contest. I could tolerate it better if it was actually beneficial in supporting creativity in children… but it’s really not. At this stage, children are really just props in a light entertainment show for adults. Sad. Time for the guillotine.
That would be seen as a roll-back of the ESC phenomena. Instead they should just allow commercial broadcasters to participate (not just public gov’t funded ones). They will sell advertising against the show and have large budgets.
It’s the flagship event for a union of public broadcasters, so to me, that would be completely against their ethos and whole reason for existing.
Maybe so — but it’s probably inevitable. Because of the internet and new streaming options all public broadcasters will be losing more and more money over time. Eventually (especially in tough economic time) governments will just defund them or will have to charge high fees. So the idea of the contest will need to change anyway.
You could be right. Personally, I’d rather it go back to 1956 levels of production than have it “sell out” completely beyond recognition.
Problem is public service is being discussed with more and more governments either giving them less money or wanting to tighten them up and re focus. Entertainmnent shows are often the first ones to be let go. So eventually ESC will have to be commercial in order to survive
All the more reason to produce the show as “arts and culture” instead of “entertainment”… one has substance and educational value, the other is just fluff. The reality TV talent show mindset needs to go.
All of the above plus: It doesn’t always need to one-up last’s year editions in terms of technical fairy dust. Sure, having no LED screen in Lissabon wasn’t great. But do we always need a LED backdrop, LED floor, LED everything? I’d rather have 40+ countries again.
* last year’s edition
Now I want Iceland, Ireland, Norway and Finland to withdraw.. thanks!
Excellent. Use the time out to replace the delegation team so what happened to Theodor doesn’t happen to anyone else. Artists should be allowed input into their creative projects.
The contest needs a shake up next year. Any act or corporation that mentions or implicates in any political means will be thrown out.
Iceland will be favourite to win by tonight it seems from 18th place to first because of threatening to leave. This contest is NO LONGER about songs. It’s a narrative and has been now for the last three years.
If Iceland win without a note been sung then serious actions are needed by the EBU fast regarding any political situations in this contest
Don’t worry, Iceland isn’t going to win. Unless they have a song that’s worthy of winning, that is.
I just hope Iceland doesn’t pull a Georgia 2009.
Nah, they’re gonna pull Malta 2021. They’re putting bets on themselves, that’s the real reason they jumped so high so fast. Random betters are not stupid enough to place big bets on a country that isn’t even sure yet whether they’re going to withdraw or not. Iceland is playing dirty and do not deserve to win no matter the song the send (assuming they don’t withdraw).
Unless they send Hatari.
For your information, ESC is still about songs, even if the last three years were a downward spiral.
Israel was first in the odds at the start of the year!
Yes a political first Israel was. Now Iceland a political second. It’s not music it’s politics constantly
365 days ago, a lot of people on here said that Ukraine would win over and over again for political reasons. Now we’re going to Malmö instead.
Predictable, expect this trend to continue. At this rate, ESC will once again become a one night show, or we will go back to having one big semi-final like in 2004-2007. You asked for this.
Wouldn’t that be concerning that more and more countries are leaving the contest because of financial reasons lately?
That is something that should be addressed in the future, probably after this year‘s contest is over.
Right, it’s not always been like that. Even SVT complained about it last year.
I think it is sad, but also… they are cheaters who treat their acts like dirt, so not too sad.
You know, they could have said so months ago….
Kind of rude to keep telling the host ” we might join your party and we might not join it”. Especially at this stage where preparations are way ahead!
SVT deserved it anyways
When you have absolutely nothing to add to the debate but still decides to open your troll mouth, this is the outcome
Ok SVT enabler
I don’t blame them… it was the EBU who in the 1st place decided to extend the deadline for so long, so it’s their own fault. How is it rude when the organiser is trying to get more $ out of it by having 1 extra participant and willingly extends a past deadline?
They had months to say we are not taking part. It’s not that difficult of a choice. You either take part or you don”t
Sad news. Anyone claiming budget issues could just pull a San Marino and participate by sending someone who can self-fund… and Romania is full of great artists who could do this.
As i said previously if the entry was to be of the same standard as the one entered in 2023 they have saved very well by not entering this years Eurovision.