Over the last couple of months, so many reports have come out about countries that are back in the contest for Vienna, or have withdrawn, or who are maybe in and maybe out, that it may have been quite hard to keep track of exactly where things stand for the 2015 contest.
However, earlier today the EBU informed fans of the progress and how close we are to having a definite number for next year.
As things stand, 38 countries have officially confirmed their intention to participate with the EBU. According to the official Eurovision website, there may be more in the final tally, as the participation of Greece currently hangs in the balance. Last year, new Greek broadcaster NERIT was granted special permission to participate despite not yet being a full member of the EBU. This, however, was a one-off, and NERIT will need to have completed its application and be a fully active member by January in order to participate.
Whilst the article on the official site doesn’t make it crystal clear or name specific countries, it seems that beyond the 38 confirmed countries and Greece, there is one country yet to decide. Given that Turkey and Ukraine have gone on the record to say that they will not take part in next year’s contest, it seems that Bulgaria or Croatia, countries whom many had assumed to be out for 2015, could be thinking about taking part after all.
Two things at this stage are clear: one is that we are definitely up on last year’s 37-strong line-up, and another is that it could be months yet before we know for sure just how many will be on the starting blocks for the 60th Eurovision Song Contest.
