Local Hungarian media are reporting that the recently restructured broadcaster MTVA are in negotiations with the EBU for a return to the Eurovision Song Contest 2027 taking place in Burgas, Bulgaria next May.
A lower participation fee and extended deadline to facilitate final decision
In the weeks following the recent Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, it was reported that newly appointed Prime Minister Péter Magyar was looking to bring Hungary back to the contest in Bulgaria next May. After an overall restructure of broadcaster MTVA, this ambition moves a step closer.
Recently, Hungarian media have reported that MTVA are deep in negotiations with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) over a return to Eurovision 2027. Current acting CEO Dr András Horváth has revealed to journalists that the EBU has granted MTVA a deadline extension until December 7 to make a final decision on Eurovision participation. At present, the deadline for broadcasters is September 15, with a month cooling period to withdraw without a financial penalty. Also included in the negotiations is a discount on the participation fee that MTVA would provide to the EBU.
Despite the promising nature of these talks, a final decision on Hungary’s participation requires approval from the independent Public Media Board. As well as the go ahead from the permanent management team of MTVA that have yet to be confirmed.
Hungary in the Eurovision Song Contest
After failing to qualify for the contest in 1993, Hungary made their Eurovision debut in Dublin in 1994. Friderika Bayer represented the country with “Kinek mondjam el vétkeimet?”, which finished in 4th place with 122 points. It remains as Hungary’s best result to date.
Absent from the contest from 1999 until 2005, Hungary didn’t make the top 10 again until 2007. Magdi Rúzsa took her “Unsubstantial Blues” to a ninth-place finish in Helsinki, after placing 2nd in Eurovision’s largest-ever semi-final a few days earlier.
Hungary’s last participation in the contest was in 2019 when Joci Pápai – who had previously represented the country in 2017 – returned to the stage with “Az én apám”. Despite his 8th place finish in Kyiv, Joci failed to make the final in Tel Aviv, placing in 12th place with 97 points in the semi-final.
Withdrawal from 2020 contest
Late 2019, long before the eventual cancellation of the contest due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MTVA the Hungarian broadcaster announced its withdrawal from Eurovision. No reason was given by the broadcaster. In a formal statement, the broadcaster simply revealed a reallocation of funds that would otherwise be spent on Eurovision participation. “Instead of taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2020, we will support the valuable productions created by the talents of Hungarian pop music directly.”
From 2012 to 2019 Hungary used its annual music competition A Dal (The Song) to select its Eurovision representative. To this day, the format still exists and is currently used as an opportunity to support local talent and offer wider media opportunities and financial prizes for the winning act.
Under the leadership of Orban the country increasingly leaned towards Christian-Conservative values and enforced greater restrictions on the LGBTQIA+ community following its withdrawal from the Eurovision Song Contest. Many observers in the nation at the time, celebrating the nations decision to not participate in the contest. Although denied by officials, it was assumed by international media that this hardline approach played a part in Hungary’s Eurovision exit.
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