ESC 2011 – 4 months ago I published a post called “Will they return” in which I assessed the chances of Austria, Liechtenstein and Italy returning or debuting in Germany in 2011. Now, there have been new developments and we have more information. The chances thus need to be reassessed. There also is new information about possible returns of Andorra, Slovakia Hungary, San Marino, Monaco, Czech Republic and Luxembourg.

I was not very optimistic about Italy returning, as it was never for political voting or lack of success that RAI withdrew from the contest. They wanted to focus on their own San Remo-Festival rather than the Eurovision Song Contest. Germany’s victory didn’t change anything about that (as opposed to Austria). However, this summer the director of RAI announced that the winner of the casting show X-Factor would not, as in previous years, participate in the San-Remo Festival, but the Eurovision Song Contest. Since then nothing has been reported or announced. It is quite possible that the announcement was a PR gag or just a gaffe. Should Italy return, they would get Big4 status, turning them into a Big5. Italy’s return would also mean a gain in popularity of the Eurovision Song Contest and a better financial situation, that might enable smaller countries with financial troubles to return.
The chances of Italy returning in 2011:
4 months ago: 5%
now: 30%

There were many rumors about Liechtenstein’s participation in the last 4 months and the director of their television station even announced their participation in 2011. The EBU has even changed the rules (probably) for Liechtenstein: They don’t have to be necessarily a member of the EBU by the time they apply for a participation at the Eurovision Song Contest. 1FLTV is currently in negotiations with international partners to organize a selection process.
The chances of Liechtenstein debuting in 2011:
4 months ago: 80%
now: 80%

The chances of Austria returning in 2011:
4 months ago: 80%
now: 100%
Hungary
Duna TV is in negotiations with the EBU about participating in the contest. Hungary withdrew from the contest in 2009 after the previous broadcaster, Magyar Televízió (MTV), left the competition for financial reasons. DunaTV might benefit from the EBU’s decision to change the rules of application (see Liechtenstein)
The chances of Hungary returning in 2011: 60%
Slovakia
The Slovak television is obviously debating whether the financial effort needed to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest is worth it for the financially strained channel. At the moment they ask their viewers through a poll on their website, whether Slovakia should participate in 2011. At the moment the supporters make up more than 80%. It seems clear that the Slovak people want to participate. The channel’s decision might be influenced by this.
The chance of Slovakia participating in 2011: 50%
.
Andorra
The Catalan newspaper “Diari d’Andorra” reported yesterday, that Andorra will not return to the Eurovision Song Contest 2011. The director of the Andorran television channel RTVA, Jordi Marticella, told the paper that Andorra can’t participate due to a tense financial situation. As there have been cutbacks on the budget of the television station, they are not able to pay the participation fees. “a participation at Eurovision is a topic that we will always discuss, but currently we do not have an option”. 2011 will thus be the second year in a row without Andorra.
The chances of Andorra returning in 2011: 0%
.
Luxembourg, Andorra, San Marino, Monaco and the Czech Republic have announced that they have no intention of participating in 2011. Most of them name financial troubles as the reason for their withdrawal.
There is no information about Montenegro at this point!
Too bad for Andorra!
I hope soooooo much that Italy will return. I’d exchange Hungary and Slovakia and Austria for Italy ;)
I would exchange France for any other country… and by the way this big 4/5 rule is pretty unfair…
I want everyone to join!
The chance of Poland participating in 2011: 60% – TVP decision in November 2010
Does Poland’s television station have financial problems? That’d suck, if Poland would withdraw!!!
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I-TA-LIA
too bad for Andorra but most others would seem likely (except hungary and italy) and without luxembourg and monaco, we’re still not really on 100% (montenegro also seems weird about esc while serbia is doing so well and czech republic is rather hating esc)
but yay for all others
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My country come back!i think at 95%!The winner of x-factor going to Esc 2011!I think Davide Movagero can win the program and can rappresenting Italy next years in Germany.With security not going to SANREMO “festival.!!
How are you so sure? The director said ‘maybe’ and since then we haven’T heard anything!
…also the big italian magazine tv,sorrisi e canzoni write about the winner of x-factor going to eurofestival 2011!
Is that magazine reliable?
the reports about x-factor and sanremo not are very good in this moment,because for two time in 2009 and 2010 the winner of talenscout AMICI by Canale 5 has win Sanremo,and Marco Mengoni the winner of x-factor 2009 was only in 3°position.Security not going at Sanremo next years.
TV SORRISI E CANZONI is the BIG MAGAZINE IN iTALY,IS RELIABLE!IS A MAGAZINE FOR FAMILYE.!4 MILION OF PERSON AT WEEK LOOK IT.
FOR another news about the come back to Italy in esc all can look eurosongitalia.it/forum.
ThE italian magaizines write this week by Alessandra Amoruso the winner of Amici 2009, number 1 this week in italian chart with album “Il mondo in un secondo” go to sanremo festival 2011!Another cause because to x-factor winner for not go to next sanremo!!
the Prix for the young winner of x-factor this years ,will be the partecipation of eurofestival 2011in Germany.and allEurope can look and lissen your song!
ok ok ;) I really hope it’s true !
Probably at 30 november in x-factor final the ufficial annuncement for Italy come back!