Editorial – As Eurovision 2011 approaches, artists are picked and songs are selected for Düsseldorf, the competition increases. Who will win and therefore host the Eurovision Song Contest in 2012? Fans of each country are desperate their country wins – national pride mainly, but it also makes it cheaper to go the next year! Others want their favourite country to win so they have a good excuse to go on holiday there.
But what about the broadcasters? They want to do well. Just look at the United Kingdom, who have finished last three times in the last eight years, much to the disappointment of the public in the UK. It looks bad to do badly, especially for a country that contributes significantly to the costs of Eurovision.
However, at the same time, not everyone wants to win. Winning the contest is great for national pride, but it comes at a cost – hosting the competition the next year. In 2010, Norwegian broadcaster NRK spent an estimated €25 million to host the contest, which was far less than Russia spent in 2009. It’s an expensive business. So just who can afford to host the Eurovision Song Contest in 2012, especially when money is still so tight across Europe?
Certainly it would seem that NRK are unwilling to host again so soon. Hosting Eurovision meant they couldn’t show the World Cup. The BBC in the UK is facing cuts and would also find it a financial burden, although there would be no question of them not hosting if the UK won. Many countries such as Hungary and San Marino struggle to afford to even send people to Eurovision, before even thinking about hosting the competition. Ireland, one of the most successful countries in Eurovision history, is in financial meltdown and RTE would surely not want the financial burden. Germany, however, seem to still be going for it, and Lena certainly seems determined to keep the Eurovision title.
So, who can afford to win this year? Or if the country that wins Eurovision can’t afford to host next year, which countries might be able to step in and host it instead?
ET: This is the first post of our new team member Noelinho. Good job! and thank you very much for your support!
ITV (Azerbaijan) would bend over backwards to host it.
In the past it’s been the UK and the Netherlands that would take over a contest if the winning country couldn’t.
Maybe I am wrong with this, but I think that these countries are on for hosting ESC 2012:
Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and United Kingdom
Doubtful:
Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Norway and Slovenia.
Certainly not:
Malta and San Marino (will be overtaken by UK, France or Italy?)
Malta would not have any problems hosting ESC. They would do it in Ta’ Qali.
Hi Toggie..:D
I dont get how it cant be so much expensive to hold ESC, since we dont have live orchestras and all competing countries are paying some money.. what are they spending money for?
I don’t really know, Roselil, but I guess that equipment and security are very expensive. And then you have to more or less completely transform the venue because you need f. e. 42 changing rooms (including showers) this year. No venue has this infrastructure. And after ESC the venue will be rebuilt to what it was before. We had a report on those necessary measures on NDR the other day.
Portugal would like to host the show, still RTP needn’t worry because hell will freeze over before my country manages to win ESC.
It may be expensive, but it may also be profitable for an enconomy that relies heavily on the tourism industry, such as the Portuguese one.
It is a good point – it would be interesting to know how much holding the ESC brings in to an economy, but also remember that the money it brings in goes to retailers and hotels, and not to the broadcaster who pays so much to host it.
don’t say that – cause we all said that about turkey and even finland and loos what happened? so i dont think that hell could freeze for the 3rd time!
Greece is really doubtful, so are Spain & Portugal. Maybe even more…
i really dont think any of them are doubtful – with how Greece really trying to send the best they got i am sure they will sell their mother if it will give them the money needed to host the show.
Loveswissmusic
I think Aserbaidjan could efford easily, they spent alot for promoting their entry last year
Doubtful on Azerbaijan? :p They spent a reported million on just Drip Drop promotion and if there’s a broadcaster that’s really lusting after that trophy it’s ITV.
I heard there was some episode on some sitcom how Iceland did want to risk winning Eurovision so they send really bad song…
and to me it seems that is what UK is doing throughout past decade. Despite their hissy fits (Euwope don’t want be fwiends with us, they no like us…), they aren’t really trying at all.
I heard that thing with the sitcom too,. A British girl told me, but in her version it was Ireland after having won 3 times in a row…
Otherwise, I think Azerbaijan would not let the opportunity slip through their fingers to present themselves to Europe. I think that is the main reason why they are even participating. It’s not in the Olympic but in the Capitalistic spirit. Eurovision brings attention and possibly tourists. When you watch CNn there’s a Azerbaijan- Land of fire commercial every few minutes.
For the BBC it might be impossible to host Eurovision if it was held in May as the Olympic Games in London 2012 are at the same time and the BBC is the host broadcaster and has to have cameras for every sporting event…
I hope a country will win where interest is low at the moment. Maybe France… A win would really boast Eurovision for some years over there. (Maybe if the send Shy’m…)
Countries to step in: Germany, Sweden, Austria, UK, Spain, BeNe, Slovakia (“-”)
*of course I meant boost interest in Eurovision… *god*
The Progamme your talking about is Father Ted it was set on fictional island in Ireland called Craggy Island. The programme was british and made by Channel 4. The programme actual feature UK commentator Graham Norton in number of episodes as Father Noel. The episode in question was called “Song for Europe”: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Song_for_Europe_(Father_Ted).
Wow thanks
Maybe I can find the episode somewhere..
youtube is priceless:
Although they got the Eurovision voting system wrong I quite liked it and it totally fits the title of this article
Honestly I don’t know much about Azerbaijan and their providing resources, but I would take this comprehension furthermore
.
Loveswiss, it’s all about oil I heard :p
BBC did a interveiw last year with EBU running build up to oslo and they ask them is credit crunch affected Eurovision and the allso ask them some countries carnt afford to host it and EBU said to BBC that if they enter Eurovision it means they can affored to host it they will face a fine and they told the BBC saying the entreys who are enterd lasy year can afford it EBU allso said that if they carnt afford it do bother entering thats what EBU said to BBC NEWS last year
I think if that was true San Marino would not participate… I mean they don’t even have enough people to hold a real televote, let alone host such an event..
If i had to pick who will host it will BE between UK NETHERLANDS FRANCE ITALY OR TRUKEY
i m italian and i think in esc 2011 Germany or Turkey can to win!My country want winner ,because Rai 2 want a new musical show,and substitute x-factor but i dont think Italy can win now…maybe in the future.I hope in 5°place for this moment.
It’s good to see Italy back. I hope they do well – wouldn’t mind a trip to Italy for Eurovision!
I don’t think many people would mind…
Well, Michele, I think that Italy may win in May. Italy has sent some gems to ESC and if they choose the right song, we may be planning a trip to somewhere in Italy in May 2012.
im quite sure i don’t agree much here
NRK did hate having to pay so much but they still enjoyed it there ; yet saying they don’t want to win is abusrd because they keep having the strongest possible line-up they can get for Melodi Grand Prix, what they said they cared for was music and whatever happens in eurovision happens…
on the other hand, i think germany’s plan is the smartest ever, what are the odds of lena winning it again? they’re so little that it’s a safe bet at not winning it again actually!
I don’t know if her chances are really so small. I think 12 from Austria and Switzerland are pretty secure… Scandinavians still love her and in Italy she will have the “Surprise effect” as they do not know her yet. I think if she has a very strong song she might do it again and then I say Mainz 2011
*2012 of course…
who would vote for the running champion? especially if the song is less provocative smart and fresh as “satellite” even a “AS GOOD” song would not get the same surprise effect… you say 12 are secure but nowadays with juries nothing is secure : Romania gave 12 to Denmark and only 10 to Moldova this year !
You’re right Noelinho. RTP are state-owned and Turismo de Portugal may regard ESC as a good investment opportunity nevertheless.
I’d say Azerbaijan would be the first to put their hands up.
They spent 1.5 million on Safura last year, and she came 5th. They obviously have the money (well they do have oil).
But do we really want a country that questioned citizens for voting for “the wrong song” in 2009 (43 that voted for Armenia) hosting a contest? They seem to take things too extremly.
I realy think it is true… National broadcasters and juries are for sure in some deal when juries votes are opposite of televotes…They dont send even good songs from NFs… Example Portugal last year:Canta por mim 12 televote+6 jury=18-first place Ha dias assim 7 televote+12 jury=19-first place… Portugal woud be in my top 10 that year, but instead it were bottom 5 (with Russia-do not understand,again,Crowning-second place were much better,than Estonia, UK, and Cyprus-second place again better)… Its my oppinion!
Oh sorry for mistake Canta por mim 18 points second place (first by televote)…