The 2016 Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm will be the biggest contest for years with 43 participants, equaling the record set in both 2008 and 2011.
Ukraine will return to the contest after a one-year absence and Bosnia Herzegovina, which last competed in 2012, will also participate. Both countries have 100% qualification records to the Grand Final. Croatia and Bulgaria will return to the contest for the first time since 2013. Bulgaria successfully hosted the 13th Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Sofia last week, Malta won the contest for a second time.
Australia, which finished 5th in the Grand Final in 2015, will return to the contest. However, unlike 2015, they will compete in one of the Semi-Finals in Stockholm. The Eurovision Song Contest is an inclusive event and Australia’s participation again in 2016 is entirely reflective of this. 2016 participants
The following countries will participate in the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm:
читать дальше Albania (RTSH) Armenia (AMPTV) Australia (SBS) Austria (ORF) Azerbaijan (İTV) Belarus (BTRC) Belgium (VRT) Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHRT) Bulgaria (BNT) Croatia (HRT) Cyprus (CyBC) Czech Republic (ČT) Denmark (DR) Estonia (ERR) Finland (YLE) France (France Télévisions) FYR Macedonia (MKRTV) Georgia (GPB) Germany (NDR) Greece (ERT) Hungary (MTVA) Iceland (RÚV) Ireland (RTÉ Israel (IBA) Italy (RAI) Latvia (LTV) Lithuania (LRT) Malta (PBS) Moldova (TRM) Montenegro (RTCG) The Netherlands (AVROTROS) Norway (NRK) Poland (TVP) Romania (TVR) Russia (RTR) San Marino (SMRTV) Serbia (RTS) Slovenia (RTVSLO) Spain (TVE) Sweden (SVT) Switzerland (SRG SSR) Ukraine (NTU) United Kingdom (BBC)
Jon Ola Sand, Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest said, “We are proud to see broadcasters from 43 countries sign up for the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest. We have put a lot of effort into bringing together as many countries as possible and this number reflects that. To see all these different countries and cultures come together, despite the challenges Europe and the world faces today, shows the power of music and the enduring appeal of the Eurovision Song Contest.”
Turkish broadcaster TRT confirmed that the country will not return to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2016. The EBU maintains an open dialogue with all Member Broadcasters in the event that those which do not currently participate in the Eurovision Song Contest may do so in the future.
Tickets on sale today!
Tickets for the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest go on sale today at 10:00 CET at www.axs.com. Further information is available on the website of Stockholm Globe Arena (www.globearenas.se/en/events/detail/eurovision-...). It is strongly recommended that tickets are only purchased through official ticketing partners.
The draw to determine which countries will take part in each of the Semi-Finals will take place in January 2016.
History was made in Vienna earlier this year, when Australia debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest. Initially envisaged as a one-off to celebrate the event's 60th anniversary and Australia's long tradition of broadcasting the show, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Australian broadcaster SBS are proud to announce that Australia will participate again in 2016.
This morning, SVT revealed Stockholm as the Host City for the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest. The capital city's Globe Arena will stage the contest for the second time in its history.
The Semi-Finals will be held on 10 and 12 May, the Grand Final on 14 May 2016.
Geneva, Switzerland - Top artists from 39 countries – two more than last year! – will compete at the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. Cyprus, Czech Republic and Serbia are returning to the contest.
читать дальше Albania Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France FYR Macedonia Georgia Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Israel Italy Latvia Lithuania Malta Moldova Montenegro The Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Romania Russia San Marino Serbia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland United Kingdom
With an odd number of participants, the EBU also had to decide how many countries would be taking part in the first and second Semi-Final.
читать дальшеThe intensity of the competition will increase along the way, as 16 countries will take part in the first Semi-Final on the 19th of May, and 17 countries will take part in the second Semi-Final on the 21st of May. On the 26th of January, 2015, a draw will determine which countries will take part in which of the two Semi-Finals. The event, hosted by ORF in Vienna, will be streamed via Eurovision.tv, so you can follow the proceedings live.
From each Semi-Final, ten countries will proceed to the Final on the 23rd of May, joining the so-called ‘Big Five’ – France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom – and of course host nation Austria.
Close contact
In the lead up to the 2013 and 2014 contests, some raised concern over broadcasters having to pull out of the contest due to the impact of the economic crisis. After a drop from 42 in 2012 to 39 in 2013 and 37 this year, the EBU and Host Broadcaster ORF have managed to bring 39 on board for the 60th edition of the contest.
читать дальше“Throughout the year, we are in close dialogue with a number of the broadcasters, for example to work with them to strengthen the brand in their country, or to show them the potential in taking part in the contest,” says Jon Ola Sand, Executive Supervisor of the contest on behalf of EBU/EUROVISION. “ORF has been a great partner in helping to achieve exactly that,” he adds.
Ukrainian broadcaster NTU has unfortunately decided not to take part this year due to the challenges the country faces. Sand: “We have been in close contact with our colleagues in Kyiv, and we hope to welcome them back in 2016.” And despite high hopes from fans across Europe, Turkey’s broadcaster TRT decided not to return, after their last participation in 2012.
The first wave of tickets for the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest will go on sale on the 15th of December at 09:00 CET at Oeticket.com. Tickets will be available for all three live shows as well as two Dress Rehearsals of each show.
The visual identity, also known as the theme artwork, is a continuation of the slogan Building Bridges and is shaped like a sphere. It interprets the theme of a bridge in a visual language of connections and encounters that form over and over again.
The theme art work's use of spheres and its wave-shape symbolises being united as well as diversity. The colours reflect the individualism and at the same time building musical bridges, the diversity of the artists, variety of songs and also the diverse audience.
"It is a great logo, a strong sign with recognition value and endless possibilities," says Jon Ola Sand, Executive Supervisor of the contest on behalf of the European Broadcasting Union.
Национальная телекомпания Украины (НТКУ) в двусторонней договоренности с Европейским вещательным союзом приняла решение отказаться от участия в песенном конкурсе Евровидение–2015.
Как сообщает пресс-служба Первого национального, такое решение было принято в связи с тем, что нестабильная финансовая, политическая ситуация, военная агрессия с востока, аннексия украинских территорий – все эти процессы заставляют НТКУ сосредоточиться на главном: скорейшем построении общественного вещания в Украине. «В связи с этим приходится тщательно оптимизировать любые расходы», – пояснили в компании.
«Мы понимаем, что Евровидение – имиджевый проект, престиж. Но мы не имеем права делать что-то плохо. А на «хорошо» у нас банально нет денег. Если у кого-то есть желание нам помочь – мы будем только рады, но самостоятельно такой проект, боюсь, мы не вытянем. Поэтому было принято такое решение», – прокомментировал ситуацию генеральный директор НТКУ Зураб Аласания.
Однако в телекомпании надеются, что Украина не будет принимать участие в конкурсе только в течение одного года. И уже в 2016 году снова отправит своего представителя на Евровидение.