Will 2024 be the year of the microstates at Eurovision? Ever since Monaco‘s last attempt at Eurovision back in 2006, many fans have been desperate to see the country return to the competition. Since then, the broadcaster TVM has teased possible returns, but never made the leap. This could finally change next year in Malmö, Sweden.
After channel TVM lost its EBU membership back in 2022, it seemed impossible for Monaco to join Eurovision anytime soon. But at that time, the tiny country located on the French coastline remained optimistic about a possible return. That’s because a new TV channel was about to launch in Sepember 2022, named Monte-Carlo Riviera TV.
Back then, the Monegasque government guaranteed the channel 100,000 euros, reportedly to cover the costs for Eurovision participation. The case of Monaco seemed to be haunted though: Monte-Carlo Riviera TV didn’t manage to launch last year, taking participation in Liverpool off the table.
Monte-Carlo Riviera TV had one more year to sort out its programming. Staff worked on the channels concept and even came up with another name for Monaco’s new TV channel: TVMONACO.
As officially announced, TVMONACO will start broadcasting on Friday and rumours have it that the channel then immediately becomes an EBU member. Since interested countries only have until 15 September to confirm their intention to take part at Eurovision 2024, Monaco really needs to hurry up.
It’s been said that TVMONACO could join the Monaco Media Diffusion, which is a company inside the EBU, consisting of different TV and radio channels in the French-Monegasque area. Still nothing is offically confirmed. But naturally fans are buzzing: the return of Monaco hasn’t seemed this plausible for a long time now.
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Other possible returning countries in 2024
So far, we still didn’t get official information from the Balkan nations Montenegro, Bulgaria and North Macedonia. All of them last took part in 2022, when Eurovision was held in Turin, Italy. While MRT from North Macedonia actually stated they’d love to come back as soon as possible and still take part at Junior Eurovision this November, less is known about BNT from Bulgaria. Montenegro AND North Macedonia broadcasted all three shows from Liverpool this year.
Definitely out of next year’s edition
Andorra’s long-awaited comeback was said to be in the works for next year. After channel RTVA confirmed their non-participation some weeks ago, they then claimed that it actually hasn’t been decided whether they will come back or not. So they still needed to evaluate the situation…
A few days later however they disappointed not only Andorra’s last representative Susanne Georgi, but also fans. RTVA confirmed they won’t take part in Sweden but they are open to return in the future. Susanne Georgi has been fighting for the country’s comeback for many years and is not willing to stop. It is said some staff changes inside the broadcaster will make it easier for the country to come back in the future.
Whilst Slovakia also stated they won’t be present in Sweden and instead want to focus on returning in 2025, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Liechtenstein made it clear that they don’t have the money to come back (or debut) for at least another year.
It’s very unlikely we’ll see Russia and Belarus participating anytime soon since they are not included in the EBU amid Russia’s horrific war in Ukraine. Also, due to their anti-LGBTQ-government neither Türkiye nor Hungary are expected to return to Eurovision 2024. Türkiye’s broascaster TRT though still claims the voting system is the reason for their absence.
How many countries do you expect we’ll see in Malmö on the Eurovision stage? Do you think Monaco could actually come back next year? Let us know in the comments below.
Well by now it’s made clear that Monaco is eligible to compete. Whether we’ll see them actually return, I guess we’ll hear it next week or so
First give the new channel time to consolidate itself and then we can talk about the Eurovision return. Forcing it can have disasterous consequences.
Would be good to see Monaco in the competition. Remember like Luxembourg they are a winning nation.
Cmon Monaco!!
I doubt Monaco has time to return for 2024, maybe in 2025 when EBU approves their request to become a member. It took KAN over a year to become EBU member for example.
They are a member though. They are a part of MMD thus making it possible to take part next year.
Please, it’s Turkey, not Turkiye
The country has officially changed its name
I know, and it was a ridiculous move. From then on, I’ve called it “the country formerly known as Turkey”
Why Disrespct the Great Türkiye … Why be Racist , Ahat has Türkiye done to you to Deserve this No Respect
At this point, I don’t think Russia will ever come back, at least not as Russia though. Belarus won’t come back either, as long as Lukashenka is in power and the same goes for the country formerly known as Turkey with Erdogan
Yugoslavia was locked in a deadly war, genocide, war crimes etc in the 90s, by the 00’s they were regularly swapping 12s again.
Even after the horrors of the 1940s, Israel was able to give Germany 12 points in 1982 and beyond.
Yugoslavia was locked in war, genoocide, war crimes etc in the 90s, by the 00’s they were regularly swapping 12s again.
Even after the horrors of the 1940s, Israel was able to give Germany 12 points in 1982 and beyond.
What I meant with Russia is that it’s very likely that the country will collapse and become several smaller nations, with most of them taking part of ESC eventually
I think it would be Nicer to have Big Countrys invited , not Bitsy Monako with only Wealthy Elites who live there . Maybe Countrys such as Kosovo , Tunisie , Kazakhstan , Maroko , Turkiye , Uzbek , Kirghiz , Tajik , Turkmen can participate because the Music is Just Better from these Larger Nations but there is a lot of Racism from EBU towards Arabs and Central Asian
Most of those countries don’t share Europe’s values nor want to be associated with Europe
But wealthy Monakan Elites share these “ Values “ ? Are these mentioned Countrys Cultures Inferior to you ???
This has nothing to do with being inferior or superior. Do you really believe countries like Kirguiztan, Uzbekistan or Tajikistan are interested in taking part in an event like Eurovision? I don’t think so… Only Kazakhstan is.
It is Big Lie . They want a Partitciptation in the ESC but EBU disallows this due to Prejudice to these nations who just want to Share their Culture to us . Tell me what is the Culture of Monako
And As Well As This …. all of the Countrys you mentioned parcipitated at Türkvizyon Song Contest so what you say is Just Non Sense.
I love all fellow European microstates so yay for Monaco…
Now if the Vatican could join it would have been a dream. But for obvious reasons it will never take part:(
An original Latin Catholic chant would be a showstopper I dream to see in Eurovision one day. <3
Bulgaria will not participate next year or anytime soon. It’s confirmed on their twitter! And no, it’s not because of the money…BNT just don’t want bulgarian participation. For a small country they have so many talented singers and high quality music production. I want to see Lidia Ganeva or DARA at Eurovision, but…
It IS because of money. That broadcaster filed for bankruptcy three times in five years. It’s also the most corrupt place in the European Union, they can’t manage public money sensibly and their population is decreasing at a record pace for a peaceful country. I feel bad for them.
What if Monaco returned with a local or French act and Swedish package in the vein of AzerBUYjan, Cyprus or Malta LOL!!
What’s the date for the final committment to participation in *SEurovision??
Sweden is not kicked out of eurovision like Russia
Stop saying SEurovision like Sweden got disqualified like Russia EuRUvision
Really hope Monaco come back.
I’d also like to reinforce the idea that Hungary DO in fact have the chance of coming back. Their leaving had nothing to do with anti-LGBT policies and everything to do with their leader, who was on the side of Belarus and Russia. However, after the events of the war, Orban has changed sides and many of his policy stances have been reversed. I think Hungary have a chance of returning in a few years time.
Their LGBT policy was however why they left. Or you dont remember the ” it is yo gay” statement?
And its unlikely they will suddenly change their LGBT policy regardless which side Orban claims to support
The Hungarian president indeed gives some hope for Hungary’s return in the future. Mrs. Katalin Novak vetoed the law of her party (Fidesz), which was somewhat similar to what Nazis did: report the X community and punish them miserably. The law was intended to punish LGBT+ people for whom they were born. However, Orban has too much power concentrated in his hands to this day, and Hungarians love it. There is a long road for Hungary to return to a democratic regime. And Orban flirting with Putin and Lukashenko for cheaper gas and oil… yeah, it is still very present.
How does that make sense, Hungary left ESC before Belarus or Russia were kicked out, both had intended to stay in.
The fact that Hungary no longer participates in the Eurovision Song Contest is still a significant mystery, not only among the fans but also within the walls of MTVA. I have personally spoken to several people who work there, and they have informed me that they have no information about Hungary’s Eurovision involvement. It is possible that this decision is related to the increasing anti-LGBTQI+ rhetoric of the government, but it could also be a management decision to discontinue this international format, believing it lacks a viable future. (Although “A Dal” as a talent show is declining in popularity, with… Read more »
What a shame, I really miss Hungary in the contest 🙁
Perhaps we will have a decent number of competitors next year? I like it when there are 17–18 competing countries in the semis. I wonder, though, whereas Australia will get another five-year ticket to take part in the contest as they are merely an associate member of the EBU. I mean, I can get the reason behind inviting Aussies for the first time and a one-time ticket to build the fanbase and encourage associates to become full members. However, 8 years is that kind of period when you need to decide for good. All I am saying is that Australia… Read more »
Well, Australia really can’t be a full-time EBU member because it’s geographically way too far away from Europe and Western Asia, hence the special hoops they have to jump through to participate at eurovision.
yes, with Luxembourg already confirmed to be back, maybe Monaco as well
maybe North Macedonia, Montenegro also returning?
I know people are saying it is hardly possible with the government Turkey is stuck with at the moment, but I think Erdogan can surprise us all in 2024 with a green light for Turkey’s return to the contest. Recently, I noticed that the Anatolian peninsula is realizing the danger of putting its eggs into Russian baskets, and Erdogan may want to use Eurovision as a platform to increase Turkish influence. Other Asian or African countries are unlikely to join, however. I feel some of them do not follow a democratic approach and/or respect human rights. Except for Cabo Verde,… Read more »
Montenegro is not returning and most likely North Macedonia either.
Ohhhhh gosh. An awful surprise might be in the cards because the e0b0u have claimed to want a bigger contest and bigger show.
Australia is Sweden’s darling yet they show more interest in the “contest” than fully fledged long time e-e-b0u members.
The thing that gives me dancing eyebrows regarding Australian participation is not its geographical position, but rather what I have stated already: they have had 8 years to become full members. Instead, they chose to remain associate members, as in, we want to sit on two chairs at the same time. Let it become a full member. I have no bad word against Aussie participation since Dami Im delivered one of the best Eurovision songs in years. However, now it looks as if EBU is encouraging Aussie-like behavior, raising questions among other EBU members: Why do I need to pay… Read more »
Why bring countries from outside of the European broadcasting area? Europe as a whole has its identity. Eurovision used to be the best thing in Europe. Now it’s all about money and numbers and such. It s***s. It’s feels like it’s all for highly ambitious people to meet artificial targets for their own egos.
@Devito, you have no idea what you’re talking about.
Australia can’t be a full member of the EBU because it doesn’t fall within the boundraries of the European Broadcasting Area, and so SBS has to remain an associate member. That said, I do think Australia should be offered a more long-term deal rather than just 5 years. Or even make it permanent.
Australia pays a Big 5 fee. That’s more than “full membership”
Big 5 fees get the actual Big 5 into the Finals, instead of having to go through the semis and gets Australia into the contest semis instead of being inelligible.
Australia’s viewership is tragic (both the lives, for obvious time zone reasons, and the re-runs) and I doubt they gain anything from participating at this point. I’ll be surprised to see them participating again next year.