TVR reach agreement with EBU to guarantee Romania’s return in 2017

A few weeks ago, escXtra reported that Romania had submitted their application to participate in the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest. However, this was still subject to the European Broadcasting Union allowing them to participate following the unpaid debts that forced the EBU to disqualify Romania from the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest as well as from using various other EBU services. Nevertheless, Irina Radu, head of the Romanian national broadcaster, has confirmed that TVR and the EBU had reached an agreement that confirms that Romania’s Eurovision application has been accepted by the EBU and guarantees Romania will be present in Kyiv next May.
The statement from Irina Radu, published on Eurovision Romania’s Facebook page, reveals that TVR has now “reached a financial stability” and that the remaining 10 million euro debt will be paid off over the next three years. In addition, the broadcaster has already scheduled their future payments to the EBU up until 2022. This strategy put in place by TVR has been accepted by the EBU who, in turn, will now send a consultant to Bucharest next week to provide high level advice and support as TVR’s road to recovery continues.
41 countries have now announced their intention to participate in the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest, many of which have officially confirmed they will be present in Kyiv. As the final deadline to withdraw applications without penalty passed earlier this week, it is looking increasingly likely that at least these 41 countries will be participating at Eurovision 2017. Of 2016’s participants, we still await an announcement from Moldova and Australia. The latter’s participation could coincide with a change to Eurovision’s rules which, as recently investigated by escXtra, could potentially see Kazakhstan also be invited to participate. Finally, Slovakia and Turkey are still yet to announce their final decisions on participation which are both due imminently.
Are you pleased that Romania will be participating in Kyiv? Which artist would you like to see represent Romania on their comeback? Let us know all your thoughts in the comments below!