When it comes to confirming participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, Greece has a tendency to keep us on the edge of our seats until the very last minute. Last year the country took part in the competition by exception, with the EBU allowing NERIT to participate despite the fact it had only just been formed and is not a member of the EBU.

EBU: “Nerit is not a member, so it won’t participate”

No matter how hard it is to communicate with the European Broadcasting Union, some tabloids have managed to obtain a rather logical response from them: “Only members of the EBU are eligible to take part and NERIT is not a member yet.” Given recent actions in Greece, which we outline below, it is impossible that NERIT will become a member in the coming days. It seems increasingly likely that Eurofans won’t see the country in Vienna.

NERIT UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT

Some weeks ago the EBU sent a letter to the Greek Prime Minister questioning the independence of the broadcaster. NERIT’s CEO Antonis Makridimitris and Assistant Consultant Rudolph Moronis subsequently resigned, accusing the government of manipulating the broadcaster. To make matters worse, the network refused to broadcast a speech given by a political rival of the government at the Thessaloniki International Fair, which prompted outrage among politicians and Twitter users. The term “Nerit” even started trending on Twitter. Yesterday, the third most powerful person in the channel, Christos Chomenidis, also resigned, stating that the government’s influence was excessive. Now people in Greece are shouting the obvious: NERIT is breaking apart. Some say the only solution would be resurrecting the former national broadcaster ERT, and re-hiring all of its 2,676 former employees.

what next?

Star TV reports that the channel still believes in its participation. But it remains to be seen whether the EBU will give Greece special treatment for a second year in a row—or force NERIT to announce its withdrawal from the 2015 competition.

Update at 11:28 GMT: Greece’s Star TV has received a reply from EBU, stating that there is a possibility that Greece may participate under similar arrangements as last year. In addition, NERIT has sent applications to become a member of the EBU and to participate at Eurovision. The EBU will decide on making it a member in December, while there is an extended deadline until January for countries to announce participation.

For now, let’s enjoy an encore of Eleftheria Eleftheriou from the 2012 contest in Baku.

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JOHN
JOHN
10 years ago

CHARLES AND MTD.

YOU TWO MUST BE THE TWO STUPEDEST FUCKS THAT HAS EVER BEEN ALLOWED TO EXPRESS ANY OPINION WHAT SO EVER ON THE INTERNET. YOUR STATEMENTS STINKS OF JEALOUSY AND IGNORANCE!!

PLEASE SPARE US ALL IN THE FUTURE

ESCaddict
ESCaddict
10 years ago

I think the EBU is right to relax the rules if there is a country that wants to participate in ESC. Relaxing the rules can’t go on forever though. Greece’s problems are complicated & changes are still taking place so until it is sorted out, let them participate.

Maria
10 years ago

@branko Andorra and Slovakia have only competed in Eurovision a handful of times and Luxembourg dropped out on their own accord 2 decades ago. Same goes with Turkey which I’m still mourning over as their broadcaster chose to boycott changes in voting structures and that sort of thing. Why should countries that clearly aren’t making an effort to be involved receive ‘special treatment’ and why force countries that are choosing to be absent as a form of criticism be coaxed to participate by the same union they are boycotting?? Greece has invested almost 4 decades worth of music and participation.… Read more »

marinek
marinek
10 years ago

TO CHARLES

OK.YOU ARE OFFENSIVE BUT YOU DON’T REALLY ANSWER.SO, I GUESS I WAS RIGHT AFTER ALL.I WON’T CONTINUE THIS.

Charles
Charles
10 years ago

@marinek: What am I saying? Ummm … well … everything but all the crap you’ve just written … but thanks for reading my name anyway. I guess reading one word is easier than reading more than one line properly … 🙂

Alex
Alex
10 years ago

Regarding the update: Well, I’m glad they’re extending the deadline for everyone, and not just for Greece. If Greece doesn’t get its TV station policies in order, though, the EBU should enforce the rules and prohibit them from entering.

By the way: if the EBU can bend the rules to make room for political problems, is it really too much to ask that live instruments be permitted to make room for more musicality?

marinek
marinek
10 years ago

TO CHARLES WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?THAT ONLY GREECE AND CYPRUS EXCHANGE VOTES?LET’S ALL SMILE NOW.SO, WHAT ABOUT SWEDEN, DENMARK AND NORWAY?WHAT ABOUT RUSSIA AND THE FAMILY COUNTRIES?WHAT ABOUT MOLDOVA,LITHUANIA,E.T.C. SO.YOU REALLY THINK THAT THE PROBLEM IS THESE TWO COUNTRIES AND NOT ALL THE OTHER BLOCKS OF THE MAP THAT HAVE CONNECTIONS WITH MORE THAN JUST 2 COUNTRIES? YOU HAVE TO WATCH CAREFULLY THE VOTING TIME AND YOU”LL SEE THAT YOU CAN REALLY GUESS WHERE EACH COUNTRY WILL GIVE IT’S 12 POINTS.SO SIMPLE.DON’T BE BIASED. AND FINALLY DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT RISE LIKE A PHOENIX WON FOR THE SONG OR… Read more »

Grisnotgoinganywhere
Grisnotgoinganywhere
10 years ago

So much jealously for Greece in here, it’s ridiculous! EBU doesn’t want Greece to withdraw coz Greece always brings something different to the table and breaks the monotony of the same-old-same-old all the other countries bring… So… live with that.

Bledar Leka
Bledar Leka
10 years ago

Charles: For once I actually agree with something you say! If the EBU was a family then Greece would be the pampered golden boy that gets the most attention whilst Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina would be the unloved children that get no attention and support

Charles
Charles
10 years ago

@MTD: Well said … after all Greece began this downhill spiral with their finances from the very beginning of the euro currency era, slowly and unspoken but still it did … plus, Greece means summer holidays for most brits and everybody in northern Europe who are desperate for some tan and sun … while the Greek people are unemployed and struggling for their lives… all in the same country. Including the Kardashians, who had the audacity to film one of their episodes in Greece while on holiday. This is worse than a bad taste Mexican soap opera … and Eurovision… Read more »

MTD
MTD
10 years ago

@Charles – ain’t EU as a whole, changing Greece’s diapers since ages? 🙂 ESC is just another toy that baby (Greece) is playing with.

Charles
Charles
10 years ago

@Cyprus: Are you afraid that you won’t get your 12 points next year??? lol

Charles
Charles
10 years ago

Greece the land of drama …and child support sarcastically! Greece the country that became the centrepiece of Eurovision’s televoting-only-wtf-days with songs that claimed to have ethnic elements but made their own true ethnic sound feel embarrassed. Yet everybody seems to look at Greece as some rescue life boat that leads to moments of fun, distraction and illusion while real life problems aren’t going anywhere after the fun is over … and Greece is still not facing their own music as far we all know. Nonetheless, EBU and fans alike are still changing Greece’s diapers everyday in despair and agony …… Read more »

Branko
Branko
10 years ago

Any of the writers here could please write to EBU and ask why Greece always gets special treatment compared to other countries and broadcasters? They always help some countries like for example Greece, but for other countries they seem to not care enough, e. g. Andorra, Slovakia, Monaco, Luxembourg, etc.

BIONDA
BIONDA
10 years ago

I REALLY LIKE GREEK SONGS.ALSO RISE UP, EVEN THOUGH THE JUDGES DIDN’T SUPPORT IT AND IT WAS A SHOCK.SO, OF COURSE EBU CAN ACCEPT NERIT THIS YEAR BECAUSE ANYWAY WE DON’T LIVE IN A PERFECT WORLD.FOR EXAMPLE WE HAVE EXPERIENCE FROM THE PAST WITH SCANDALS DURING THE TELEVOTING OR THE JURY VOTING SYSTEM.EBU MUST FIX THESE THINGS FIRST.
AND FINALLY IT’S A UNION THAT EARNS MONEY.IT WILL MISS A COUNTRY.IN A FEW WORDS IT’S ABOUT BUSINESS AND NOT MUSIC!

David
David
10 years ago

Perhaps the EBU is in favor of giving Greece a pass because they heard that the alcohol is free?

Jak
Jak
10 years ago

If EBU force NERIT to withdraw, so according to official rules they must ban the participation of countries like Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Greece is one of the classic Eurovision countries and when my country is not in the contest, I support them.
Please don’t force Greece to withdraw EBU. It is 60th year.
Good luck from Turkey.

Bledar Leka
Bledar Leka
10 years ago

It seems unfair that the EBU is breaking it’s own rules for Greece, but I bet if a less significant member like Moldova or Slovakia (if they still participated) was to be in the same situation the EBU would force them to withdraw

Xepher
Xepher
10 years ago

Why does Greece get special treatment from EBU a lot and not the other countries it seems like

David Thielen
10 years ago

The broadcasters in Azerbaijan, Belarus, & Russia announced that they are shocked that the government of Greece might have some influence over NERIT.

Cyprus
Cyprus
10 years ago

What will happen in Greece?they will participate or not?

D
D
10 years ago

Never liked any Greek entries, so I won’t miss their music, won’t miss them always doing well with bad songs, and won’t miss the automatic 12s to and from Cyprus. However, I still hate to see countries withdraw and I hope Greece can find a way to participate this year.

Alex
Alex
10 years ago

I find it interesting that all of this could have spiralled from the EBU sending a letter to Greece’s PM.

It’s not technically impossible that NERIT could join the EBU soon, but it’s incredibly unlikely. With Bulgaria, Cyprus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and possibly Serbia making a return, there will be plenty of countries around, so if Greece needs a year or two to sort things out, I’m fine with that.

Gz
Gz
10 years ago

If they withdraw, I will miss them. Also Oikotimes, Eurovisionary and Turesc reported this. I wish they don’t withdraw.