Could the microstate finally make its return to Eurovision after a 16 years and counting absence from the contest?
Delay in a potential return
Last week, Monaco Hebdo, one of the leading newspapers in Monaco, broke the news. The General Manager of Monte-Carlo Riviera TV, Salim Zeghdar in March 2022, announced that the delay of the launch of Monaco’s new public television channel, Monte-Carlo Riviera TV for about a year until around June-September 2023.
Importance of Monte-Carlo Riviera TV
Interest in the Monte-Carlo Riviera TV channel piqued late last year when reports from Monegasque news outlet L’Observateur de Monaco revealed that approximately €100,000 had been allocated to initiate a potential return to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023. Thus, this return would arguably be facilitated by the launch of Monte-Carlo Riviera TV. This would see Monaco participate for the first time since 2006, where Séverine Ferrer competed with the song ‘La Coco-dance’.
However, due to the proposed delay, a return is likely only possible in 2024 at the earliest. This is due to requirements needed to reinstate a Monegasque membership in the European Broadcasting Union.
Previous reluctance
Previously, Monaco’s fellow microstates, including Andorra and Luxembourg, have expressed their reluctance to return to the contest due to numerous factors. One factor are the high costs associated with participation. Another is the previous disdain for bloc voting between various countries that diminished chances for qualification for microstates. However, a return would clearly be more than welcome. Amongst its 24 participations, Monaco recorded a single win in 1971 and boasts a relatively strong track record.
Take a step back in time and revisit their one and only win by French singer Séverine, with the song ‘Un banc, un arbre, une rue’ below!
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