From 38 countries at Eurovision 2025 we go down to 37. That’s after Moldova’s state broadcaster TVM confirmed that it was withdrawing from the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel. The news comes just days after the country staged auditions for its national final. And it would seem those auditions played a big role in Moldova’s decision. Corneliu Durnescu, the director of the Moldova 1 network, has explicitly stated that the lack of quality “generated a negative perception” towards Eurovision.
Durnescu, along with Daniela Crudi, the head of the Eurovision Moldova Delegation, said the decision comes “following a detailed analysis of the current situation, as well as the economic, administrative and artistic challenges.”
Moldova withdraws from Eurovision 2025
Despite its withdrawal, Moldova 1 will broadcast the two semi-finals and the grand final in Basel live, offering viewers the opportunity to follow the competition.
“The decision was not an easy one, but necessary in the current context,” Durnescu said in a statement. “This year’s national selection highlighted certain challenges, including a decrease in public interest and the overall quality of the songs and artistic performances. This has generated a negative perception among specialists and the public, underlining the need for a substantial reform in the selection process.”
“We consulted specialists in the music field, and most of them expressed serious reservations regarding Moldova’s participation this year, in exact agreement with the opinion of the jury that TRM selected for this edition. We respect the opinions of professionals and the general public, and we understand that we must make responsible decisions.”
Given the quality on show, participation was not seen as offering value for money. According to the statement, the EBU charges Moldova a participation fee of 21,486 euros.
“The public broadcaster remains at the disposal of anyone to provide the necessary information. We have assumed to be transparent and Eurovision is no exception. At the same time, we cannot allow public opinion to be misled by false or malicious narratives.”
Daniela Crudu, Moldova’s head of delegation, said:
“This decision was not an easy one, but we assure you that it was analyzed in detail. We know that we would all have liked to organize a national final and designate the song that would represent us at the international stage. However, we are firmly convinced that this decision will boost the interest in participating in future editions. We will ensure that we return to Eurovision with strength. It is important to support people who want to reach the big stages and to give them the opportunity to prepare better.”
You Really are amazing and talented! Yuv R a STAR!
However, Moldova, you’ve gotta have pre-auditions to those auditions if you know what I mean.
Lithuania better watch out…two semifinals already produced 4 weak songs…I wish Lithuania wasn’t always bringing up the rear in The Baltics.
With three more heats to go to determine if it’s truly weak or salvaged by hidden gems.
Black Biceps to the rescue with Visaip Man Reik.
Greenland has got the last chance to participate before becoming part of a different continent. Why is noone talking about it?
It’s not going to become part of a different continent
Greenland is part of Denmark and also a country at the northern American continent together with Canada, Mexico and the United States. Politics does not change that
It took them this many years to realize their national selection is absolutely horrendous?
they should just select Tudor Bumbac internally instead.
I’m mostly sad that we are back to unequal numbers in the semis.
That’s the least of my concerns. We really need a new funding system to stop the country bleed.
Hmm…maths! Now that they are out we have equal sized semis…37-5=32 (16 per semi)
Um, no? It’s minus 6. Big 5 & Switzerland are pre-qualified. Also, the last two years with 37 acts also had the split 15/16.
No one wants to participate in this freak show.
Oh, really.
The Moldova open auditions are actually fun but agree with the national broadcaster that they have a role to play in developing more confident performances and perhaps helping with songwriter camps. This ultimately helps their own people and language present well to the world. I’m here for it.
Hello, Slovenia, Ireland, Iceland…
why are you on a eurovision fan site then?
This is the consequence of EBU being overly political. They lost one of the countries that paid the most and with largest populations: Turkey and Russia. These 2 countries have more than 200 million people! Both were lost by politics (Turkey because EBU decided to go into direction of leftist trans, non-binary etc.) and Russia by accusing them of invasion (although the matter is much more complex and EBU should focus on music and uniting countries no matter of the politics). Then EBU for some strange reason suddenly dropped Belarus (10 million ppl) – again it was a political move… Read more »
Most ridiculous comment ever.
So in your opinion EBU should take an active stance and exclude LGBTQ performers once and for all?
We are UNSTOPPABLE
cry harder x
This is a jaw-dropping simplistic set of statements which are patently false. Please recognize this is not your forte so don’t hog the stage.
Who let Barron Trump comment on here?
I can imagine if Eurovision was held in 1940, your speech would sound like – Oh, let’s forgive Nazi Germany, they only occupied Poland and a couple of other countries, killed millions of people in concentration camps. But the contest is about music, let’s stay out of politics, we just need their bloody money.
If the EBU allows Russia to participate in the contest, it will lose Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and several other countries. And Russia is not even a member of the EBU anymore.
I understand what you want to say. But you start on a very strange key. The invasion is not complex.
I agree Eurovision became political after the Russian invasion and that this makes Israels participation very questionable and this even makes it hard for the competition to go across borders and cross politic. It opened the flood. Maybe they should have cancelled as in 2020. Russia was a very important player and a powerhouse. Now they are not even part of the EBU
When someone writes song for national final should have a goal to make better song than it was last year winner. Unfortunately many artists send songs without watching previous Eurovision. Knowing what was happening in Eurovisions lately is a must to stay current.
I support Moldova decision because it sends good message to future participants. Making song for local festival and Eurovision stage is not same. I wish other countries should have enough courage to do same and withdraw instead of just trying to be part of Eurovision without wish for a win.
Mate that’s just obviously an official reason for press and as an excuse. Who still believes in “official statements”. It’s like Turkey withdrew because of the voting procedures. Yes, right. For 13 years now. Official statements have nothing to do with the true reasons. The reasons are often related to political approach, values dominating in countries, political agendas and directions of the country (gov and broadcaster), money. Moldova had to find an excuse. We need to dig deeper what was the true reason. I have a feeling this part of Europe is generally breaking from many Western organizations, Eurovision being… Read more »
NOOOOOOO!!!! WHEN THE ONLY TIME I LIKED A MOLDOVAN ENTRY, THEY DECIDED TO WITHDRAW!!!!
HRT take a lesson!!!!!
RUV should take a lesson first
They don’t deserve to participate, Tudor Bumbac was not in the final…
Said Tudor Bumbac
ICELAND OUT should be next
Stop spamming with things that will not happen!
Stop trying to make fetch happen, it’s not gonna happen
It will happen by boycotting Israel
would Moldova have to pay a fine for withdrawing this late in the game, which would be financially disastrous for the broadcaster?
I am sure the fine is lower than the entire cost of sending and accommodation an entire team to Switzerland just for being a non-qualifier.
Well, hopefully they can negotiate a fine amount that wouldn’t break their bank just to say they’re paying consequences for it. There definitely must be troubles behind the scene if they’re willing to pull out instead of continue.
I think it’s not until March that a withdrawal leads to a fine or still having to pay the participation fee.
On October 11 2024: “For broadcasters who confirmed they would participate in Eurovision 2025 by September 15 and chose to withdraw after today, the EBU can provide a fine. The last time this fine is known to have been imposed was in 2005 when Lebanon was due to compete and refused to confirm it would air the Israeli performance in Kyiv, Ukraine.”
Source: Eurovoix webpage.
Weren’t Armenia fined for withdrawing past the confirmation date in 2012?
I don’t know… depends on when the date for withdrawal was then…
yes, Armenia was fined for withdrawing so late in 2012 https://sputnikglobe.com/20120503/173190419.html
But the deadline to withdraw without penalty was October 11, and this is January. Will the EBU waiver the fine against Moldova, or will they still pay, albeit a hopefully small amount.
Honestly, I dont think the selection this year was worse than most years. The live auditions are frequently a bit of a mess. That’s why most national finals do that step behind closed doors. But honestly if we had gotten to see real staging concepts for Semafoare, Timpul, or Zboar?-n sus we might have been able to get excited for their potential in Basel. Because there was potential in this selection. Putting all this on the artists competeing this year is a really scummy move by the broadcaster. I suspect they lost some financial backing they were expecting to be… Read more »
Other than one member of carnival brain being a former sunstroke member, there really was no returning big name in the selection that could have the funds for Eurovision.
LOL imagine being told your song sucks so as a reward we’re shutting down the entire thing
Well, this is a plot twist I didn’t expect. I guess the rumor was about canceling the national final was true but completely withdrawing from Eurovision altogether?
We would have avoided the further disappearance of Eastern Europe from the contest if Eurovision had come to Croatia. But westerners will paint themselves artificial victories at any cost, even if it’s 5th or 10th place in the televoting.
Or a 2nd place in televoting 😉
Or much lower by corrupted juries who admit to vote best on their propaganda while ignoring music which they were PAID AND TRUSTED to follow for their “professional” music knowledge, while also being corrupted by so called f ucked up toxic “fans” as yourself to be corrupted in their “proffesional” jury vote and destroy the contest. Same goes for Loreen with Sweden vs. Finland in 2023 albeit for different corrupted reasons of fixing Sweden’s victory with ABBA win’s 50th anniversary, to match Ireland’s achievements, and bring Petra Mede again. Since you want to keep your obsessinvense on the 2024 public… Read more »
Whatever problems Moldova’s facing, I don’t think it would’ve mattered which country was hosting Eurovision if they are severe enough to make Moldova withdraw.
Seriously? You’re blaming the juries and voters who didn’t vote for Croatia last year for Moldova withdrawing? That’s quite a stretch.
He has a point the juries consistently favour western Europe.
2016, 2018, 2022, Eastern countries won the contest (Ukraine and Israel) but juries preferred, Australia, Austria, and United Kingdom.
2024 jury block voting actually overturned Croatias win and gave it to 5th place Switzerland.
Okay and in 2019 juries preferred North Macedonia, what is your point?
Breaking news : One morning left is disqualified from the UMK
It’s crazy, but without the party.
I suspect the political unrest and recent controversy over recent elections might be a major factor in this decision.
What happened? Could you explain?
Moldova is facing an unprecedented energy crisis and the Transnistrian authority (separatist region of Moldova with a puppet pro-Russian government) is using this as leverage to create hostility against the current Moldovan government, refusing any help provided by them or by Romania.
Smart decision. They truly always bring trash to Eurovision. With exception of Sunstroke Project and Natalia Barbu in 2007 who were excellent. Moldova needs to stop their game up because the national finals they give us look and sound like Christmas show in asylum.
Gutted, especially since Sasha Bognibov made it. Hope he can rise from the ashes next year!
We don’t need that pdf file in Eurovision.
Semafoare would have been last place in the semi so if that was the best option they had it’s good they withdrew and saved money. I believe they will come back next year. For such a poor country that is in an extremely unsafe environment and occupied by Russian army having such participation record was amazing.
Hmm. If Moldovan artists don’t see the value of ESC, I don’t think a one year break will help with that. You as a broadcaster is responsible for sharing the value of it and promote it. I feel most Balkan and Eastern countries share that problem of not promoting ESC enough thus leading artists not to know what it does for the country
ngl i saw someone comment in a group the UK should cover the cost for countries like Moldova and Bosnia i just want to point out we pay enough as it is
Why won’t they opt internal selection?
Because the songs sent in were crap.
Eurovision seems fated to never have 38 countries compete.
36, 37, 39,…all fine, but not 38.
It may be 32 countries this year
Yep, history is repeating.
You can say that for definite: 2006 was also due to be 38 countries, until Serbia & Montenegro withdrew late on. So it really does seem like the number 38 is doomed at Eurovision.
But Serbia & Montenegro at least participated in 2006’s voting. I don’t think that Moldovans will be able to vote.
That’s exactly what I was stating before, but somebody thought I was too obsessed with the number 38.
OKAY. People here has no sense of humor. What I mean is that if more countries withdraw, then there is a better chance, that Denmark will qualify for the final. We haven´t been in the final since 2019. Is a chance for a place in the final too much to ask for? *LOL*
I agree. Crack a joke on here and nobody can cope
Go Denmark!!!!! I will be rooting for you.
Even without Iceland and Norway during the competition
I would love to see Denmark back in the final but you really need to have better options than what you have sent the last 4 years :’)
Yeah, and I haven’t been impressed with Denmark has been sending for the last few years.
Sasha Boginov might return next year with a song “They banned me from the final”, emotinaly and overdramatically explaining in an interview how he was crushed with his elimination (even more dramatic then Vasil did about 2020) xD
First time it happens since Moldova joined in 2005! It would have been their 20th anniversary this year! Eurovision without Moldova is not the same, they are so iconic!
Disappointed cause Semafoare is in my top 5 fav songs of the season…and could have been successful in Eurovision…
Come back asap Moldova please!
I agree with. That is a fine good popsong.
Well that’s a kick in the nuts to all those who applied… You’re so bad we’re cancelling the show… Ouch!
Quality control. How refreshing!
Moldova and Romania used to be the iconic duo of Eurovision. For me, it’s either they both participate or both don’t.
Romania and Moldova have participated in eurovision without each other in the past. Romania debuted in 1994 before Moldova’s debut in 2005, and Romania didn’t participate in 2016 or 2024 while Moldova did.
Awk I’m pretty sure the hey mama guys would do it if ya give them a call.
Other countries shall withdraw, too. Especially UK and Germany, occasionally Spain, too. Their song quality year by year is terrible…
UK is patchy, good years and bad years. Spain has been on the up and up for the past few years. Germany, well, OK but if they leave the UK and France will resent having to make up the financial shortfall. Plus, this is supposed to be about bringing Europeans together. Germany is kind of a big deal in that.
Plus Iceland, Belgium, Norway, Ireland and Slovenia.
You would love to see that, right? Won’t happen.
Yes it will happen by boycotting Israel. IT WILL HAPPEN. Don’t lie
2025 is an unreal experience…
There could also be no Iceland
We need more countries to withdraw. Only the orginal countries (participating countries from 1956 – 1993) should take part, and then we can skip the semifinals and have a Eurovision Song Contest like in the good old days. Then there is also a chance to bring back the live orchestra.
Da faq
What a load of BS
You don’t have any sense if humor?
I do, it’s not as bad as this post was
How old are you? 578 years old!
Something like that
They’ll come back next year stronger with Jimmy flip and his dancing monkey on bagpipes
How rude and inappropriate to blame this on the artists. I saw absolutely no difference in the auditions that what I have seen for the past several years, in fact I saw two or three which were a marked improvement on what we have seen recently.
United by money
Half of the Balkans is already gone and also Eastern Europe. This is becoming bigger and bigger issue and I see the EBU does nothing to keep countries in.
Eastern European countries/Balkans are responsible of this themselves:
Many of these countries were on a high ride 00s to 10s with good results, but broadcasters didn’t try to promote contest itself at all. One night event, that’s it.
Interest in public & artists doesn’t come like that, they had chance to show good results and make Eurovision memorable, but pushing the contest on secondary channels without any mentions doesn’t make it “Event of the year”.
The main thing they need to do is announce NF details earlier – and not in December with an early January deadline. The uncertainty means some artists and writers don’t know what’s going on until last minute!
I blame Sasha Bognibov for this
His presence every year with his sleazy songs cheapens Moldova’s NF and makes it a laughing stock.
That’s a well-reasoned judgment. If the quality you are looking for is not there, then there is no need to enter. Maybe next year. Save some money and come back stronger.
Good point alfie28. I think there’s a case for some nations to concentrate their efforts on competing every other year. This would improve quality, save money and simplify Eurovision week in general. The final might even be reduced to 20 songs, which I feel would make it more watchable.
that’s what eurovision used to do in the 90s till 2003, have a relegation system where the worst performing countries would be sitting out a year. They did try to accommodate a larger number of new debuting countries, but they didn’t have the space to accommodate everybody on one night.
It’s something I wish RTÉ did many times between 2016 and 2023 (but not 2018 and 2022.) Save money instead of sending rubbish like “Dying to try.”
I think that EBU/Eurovision must reduce their prices in the future and also the most important thing for them should be that countries that participated in the past come back. Hopefully my country (Hungary), Romania, Turkey, Slovakia, Bosnia, Macedonia, Moldova, Andorra will come be in the near future and I think there is a chance for Lichtenstein and Kosovo too. Also I’m in an opinion that politics doesn’t belong to ESC so Russia and Belarus will come bc they brought us decent songs, hopefully the war will be over in the near future too and we will unite Europe in… Read more »
Nothing gets cheaper these days because if inflation. Making the participation fee cheaper especially at this time raises the question how to further finance the contest/make hosting it feasible for the winning country and broadcaster.
In the case of Russia though didn’t their broadcaster even leave the EBU entirely after they were banned from taking part? That will take a long time to resolve, many years I’m sure to reinstate them? Unless they have another broadcaster
This may happen to Israel since next year
If you cheapen the participation fee then the contest would have to be financed in other ways. And the question then is how and who? More ads? Sponsors? Private broadcasters?
In order to reduce the fee, you need more countries participating, but if countries can’t afford it, then it just gets more expensive. It’s a really vicious self-defeating cycle.
I wish there was a way to know how much each country pays for their participation fee and rank it from most to least.
Swiss Airlines should join
It really is time for EBU to find a solution to all these countries exiting the contest due to financial reasons. I mean, look at the map of perticipating countries for this year contest on wikipedia. It is terrible to watch. Eastern Europe is falling apart and EBU does absolutely nothing… If it goes on like this, in a few years there will be 25 competing countries, nothing left at the east of Austria.
And without Iceland, Norway, Slovenia, Ireland and Belgium joining with Moldova. Simple as that. Go on EBU.
Ireland, Norway, Iceland, Belgium and Slovenia aren’t going anywhere? What are you talking about?
In the case of Ireland we are even revealing participants in our NF everyday this week?
They would withdraw after the artists or the broadcasters to boycott Israel. They can go everywhere.
I think at this stage the artists involved are probably well aware about the call to boycott, they would have remembered last year.
Pretty sure at this stage all participants would be willing to go to Basel
But this time they want to withdraw if this issue is repeated in case Israel not being banned so I wholeheartedly disagree.
EBU isn’t the one resolving countries economics, so it’s not totally up to them.
And if Moldovan artists don’t see appeal in Eurovision then it is what it is, western European countries have such long relations with the contest, that it wouldn’t come in mind to leave.
Yeah I can hear that and I think people (those who downvote but never argue) didn’t understand what’s behind my comment. First I think it is very sad that a lot of people seem to not care about countries withdrawing. We are loosing in diversity in a contest meant to showcase european music… All those countries leaving the contest have more than a lack of interest. They don’t have enough money. Sure it’s not EBU’s job to resolve countries economics. but what about reducing the budget around the contest? I love how spectacular the contest is but one day it… Read more »
Prices have increased in about everything, so accommodation for the whole team: hotel, food and so on have to be paid too. I think it’s just something that will resolve with time, and Eurovision has it’s appeal as a bigger contest, so I’d assume interest is somewhat there.
Not surprised really, they have started relying on previous entrants the last few years.
But, they are a loss to the ESC family this year. They usually bring the ethnicpop that I live for at ESC. Never usually in my top 10 but usually have enjoyable performances on the night.
Wish them a successful return next year. Hopefully they do.
There’s definitely other countries that should rethink their participation, way before Moldova does anyway.
Iceland, Belgium, Norway, Slovenia and Ireland have to reconsider their participation if they’re unsafe within the new rules and allowing Israel repeatedly with political stuff.
First Moldova out, then potentially Iceland, Norway, Belgium, Slovenia and Ireland may out from Eurovision 2025 but the different reason being unfortunate boycotting circumstances. Shocking 🙁
What are you talking about?
Bore off!
Shut up. They can boycott whenever they want.
Isn’t this like the sixth consecutive year they threaten to withdraw or something ? Do y’all still take them seriously…
They would withdraw after the artists or the broadcasters to boycott Israel
They this time may withdraw if this issue is repeated and concerned about the organization’s safety
Of course. They will withdraw whenever they want.
despite you getting a ceasefire, you’re still salty about Israel participation?! grow up.
There is a w4r in West Bank now despite ceasefire
Sad news for Moldova fans, but good news for us TV watchers, the show will be 3 minutes shorter and we can go to sleep earlier.
I don’t see how it’s a good news :’) When it’s Eurovision I don’t want to go to sleep.
Plus, for once both semi finals would have had the same number of participants, which is more fair. Well, it won’t be the case anymore.
Do you actually think those 3 minutes won’t be replaced by pointless yapping from the green room? Delusional.
Sadly, I can’t say I am surprised. But given Moldova is one of my favourite countries in Eurovision, this stings.
I hope next year they return and reorganise their selection process to ensure good quality entries. you’ll be missed Moldova, but please do come back!!
I’ve just watched Sasha Bognibov’s performance and now I can’t unsee it. Or unhear it. Please help
cleanse it with Tudor’s “performance”