Bosnia & Herzegovina: Participation in Vienna uncertain; deadline extended

by Sanjay (Sergio) Jiandani 4,591 views

BHRT, the Bosnian national broadcaster has announced today in a press release on its official website  that Bosnia & Herzegovina’s Eurovision participation next year is yet uncertain.

Due to the finacial difficulties the Bosnian broadcaster is currently facing the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) has granted BHRT a special extension until 14 November to make its final deliberation and make a final decision if its to participate or not at the forthcoming Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna.

BHRT has stated that its revenues from TV fees have decreased considerably by 2 million Bosnian marks in the first 9 months of 2014, thus making its Eurovision 2015 participation in Vienna uncertain. The broadcaster goes on to say that this does not diminish its quest to compete in the event and will look for various options to finance and fund its Eurovision project: ie sponsors etc.

The Bosnian broadcaster will now have to resolve the financial issues that will entail its participation at the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest and will have to find the funds to finance its participation. BHRT is working very hard in order to accomplish its goal to send a Bosnian representative to Vienna.

Earlier this month BHRT confirmed to ESCToday that Bosnia & Herzegovina had not withdrawn its application to participate at the forthcoming 2015 Eurovision Song Contest in Vinna, next year after initially submitting a preliminary application to the EBU last month.

BHRT had submitted a preliminary application to the EBU last month for competing at the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna.

Bosnia Herzegovina withdrew from the contest in 2013 due to financial reasons and applied to participate in 2014 but decided to opt out of the competition for a 2nd year in a row due to lack of funds and sponsors.

The last time saw Bosnia & Herzegovina on the Eurovision stage was in 2012 in Baku, when Maya Sar represented the country with her entry Korake Ti Znam. 

Bosnia & Herzegovina debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1993 with Fazla‘s Sval Bol Svijeta. The country is yet to win the event whilst its best placing at the Eurovision Song Contest was in 2006 when Hari Mata Hari achieved a 3rd placing with his entry Lejla.

The 2015 Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled to be held on 19, 21, 23 May at the Wiener Stadthalle, in Vienna.

Stay tuned to ESCToday.com for the latest news on Bosnia & Herzegovina the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest.