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EBU express concerns over UA:PB under-funding

UKRAINE – The 2018 draft of state budget envisages providing only 775 mln UAH (approx. 25 mln EUR) for financing UA: PBC. The sum is around half of the budget defined in the Law on Public Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine.

The management board of UA: PBC regards the possible underfunding as a threat to the freedom of speech. It also sees it as a way of getting the broadcaster under control on the eve of a general election campaign.

EU representatives express their concerns with the possible underfunding of UA: PBC and demand from the Ukrainian government to fulfill its obligation toward UA: PBC.

The EBU was one of the first to express its position concerning under-funding financing of UA: PBC. The statement of the organization says that UA: PBC is the core of recent political reforms in Ukraine. A robust and independent public service broadcaster is a crucial tool in the fight against corruption, the respect of the rule of Law, and important step towards Ukraine’s European integration.

The European Broadcasting Union calls on the Ukrainian Government to ensure appropriate, fair and independent funding for UA: PBC in line with the Ukrainian Law and European standards.

“A sudden drop in its funding levels, would undermine the important process of reform UA: PBC has undertaken in order to operate as sustainable and independent public service media organization,” EBU Director General Noel Curran said.

We should not forget that there are pending two cases: how Ukrainian television will get the 15 million Euros deposited as guarantee and also to deal with the fine of EBU (200,000 Euros) for messing with Eurovision 2017 hosting.

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Tijana Dapsevic clears things with Belgrade Pride invitation

SERBIA – There seems to have been a misunderstanding and a fuzz with Belgrade Pride as Tijana Dapsevic forced to respond via Facebook about the issue occurred with her non appearance at the event. Tijana made clear that she didn’t refuse to participate but she was never invited, explaining why she preferred to be in Milan instead of Belgrade during the event. The reason for her trip there was family gathering. She also explains and reconfirms her beliefs towards diversity and endorsement to people regardless their faith, sexual orientation etc. Tijana participated in the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest edition not qualifying though to the Grand Final.

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Germany don’t want to win Eurovision!

GERMANY – In an interview to Süddeutsche Zeitung, ARD’s program director Volker Herres shocked probably most German Eurofans (and probably made the Swedish fans happier). In the interview he expressed his sadness that there is no artist in the recent years to score well in Eurovision despite the country’s participation directly to the Grand Final.

But the weird statement came later on. He said that during his term in the office of ARD he is not wishing Germany to win the contest as they will have to host and pay for it the following year.

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Now that would have been a great Eurovision kiss, Vaidas

LITHUANIA – Do you remember the Lithuanian duet in Eurovision 2015 where they kissed on stage during the song upon lyrics “one kiss”? Yes Vaidas Baumila and Monika Linkyte were the Lithuanian representatives. Since then a lot of people tried the same-sex kiss on the song and worked.

This time Vaidas Baumila, guest on a Lithuanian TV snow and despite his 18th place in Eurovision, performed the song but he needed someone to kiss. Vaidas calls the host, Justinas Jankevicius on stage and kisses him during the performance. Well that would have been quite successful for Vaidas and Lithuania if it happened on the Eurovision stage but still we are happy to see it happening here.

Back in Eurovision 2015 although Vaidas kisses Monika, the backing singers made of same-sex couples, kissed along the signers.

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Switzerland 2018: God Apollo worked his miracle; record of submissions reported

SWITZERLAND – High submissions in Norway, Sweden and now in Switzerland. SRF is excited to announced that 670 songs submitted to them for the 2018 national selection for the Lisbon Eurovision Song Contest.

It is no secret that the national broadcaster is eager to do better than the previous years and this is why SRF recently held a meeting with SVT’s Christer Björkman and Martin Österdahl to adjust the national final format into a successful outcome for the country in the Eurovision Song Contest.

International authors are now allowed and the emphasis is given to the singer. The broadcaster is also able to adjust the combination between song and singer if they wish to. International jury is also an option for them. Well in the very end it’s all about Melodifestivalen.

Out of the 670 submissions, the expert jury membered of 20 judges will decide the six finalists which will be added to the seventh wildcard chosen by the SRF producers. Then, on February 4th there will the national final, Entschiedungsshow in which the jury and tele voting will decide the winner.

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Eurovision in Concert 2018: venue changes, concept goes XL for its 10th anniversary

THE NETHERLANDS – Organisers of Eurovision in Concert began the preparations for the 2018 edition of the annual Eurovision party. Their huge announcement is the XL project. This means that a new venue is selected to get more people in and therefore rise the excitement to the next level.

The 2018 edition of Eurovision in Concert will take place at the AFAS LIVE which is considered one of the best venues for music events in the world. There is good transportation access to the venue and the organisers are optimistic that more than 6,000 autitors will enjoy the event more than ever.

Change from Mwlkweg arena in the city centre after many years is surely welcomed by most of us as the demand for the event was huge and somehow we struggled every time during the multi hour show we needed simple things like an extra drink or the bathroom.

The even will take place on April 14th and the ticket sales will begin next week (September 29) via regional ticket sales website.

The hosts of Eurovision In Concert 2018 will be Edsilia Rombley & Cornald Maas. The duo already hosted the event in 2015. Edsilia represented The Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1998 (“Hemel & Aarde”) and in 2007 (“On Top Of The World”)

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