TVR the national broadcaster of Romania have confirmed they are making a comeback for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 taking place in Vienna, Austria next May. This comes amid the news that Bulgaria and Moldova are also returning to the contest.
🇷🇴 Romania ends two-year Eurovision hiatus
After a brief spell away, TVR have confirmed that Romania will participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. A meeting of board directors within the broadcaster, officially approved the Eurovision comeback. The last time Romania took part was during the Liverpool contest in 2023.
“We proposed the resumption of Romania’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest because, in the two years of absence, we had the opportunity to better understand what did not work in the relationship between TVR, the music industry and the artists.
We understood what we need to change from our side in order to have a more competitive selection process and a show matching the scale of the contest, so that we can consistently increase the quality of our presence in the final stage. Because participating in Eurovision is a team effort, we have spent a lot of time balancing the expectations and efforts of all those who need to collaborate in order for Romania to have the best possible representation.
Last but not least, we appreciate the understanding shown by the European Broadcasting Union, which has adapted its invitation to Romanian Television to return to the contest, taking into account the challenges facing our institution. It is the expression of a real interest for Romania’s presence in this global television event.
Through today’s decision, TVR reaffirms its commitment to support Romanian artists, to capitalise on the creative potential of the music industry and to promote Romania on one of the most prestigious international stages.”
Dan-Cristian Turturică, (President-General Director TVR)
At the time of writing, no further details have been shared as to the method of selection for the act that will represent Romania on the Vienna stage next May. Only once in its history has Romania used an internal selection process. Most typically, the Balkan nation uses the Selecția Națională format of selection organised by TVR.
Romania at the Eurovision Song Contest
Out of 23 total participations, Romania has never won the Eurovision Song Contest, but has appeared in the Grand Final 19 times. Their best results are two third place finishes – with Luminița Anghel and Sistem ‘s ‘Let Me Try’ in 2005 and Paula Seling and Ovi’s ‘Playing With Fire’ in 2010.
At the Liverpool contest, Theodore Andre represented with the nation with, ‘D.G.T. (Off and On)’. He finished in 15th place in the second Semi-Final with the dreaded ‘nil points’. The first time this has happened in Romania’s history.
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