As reported by esctoday.com a few months ago, Austria will not take part in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2008, nevertheless the Austrian broadcaster, ORF, will broadcast the final of the contest on May 24th.
After disappointing results in 2004 and 2005, Austria withdrew from the competition in 2006but returned in 2007. When Eric Papilaya finished 27th (second last) with only four points in the semi final,this led to another withdrawal.
However, as ORF is broadcasting the Eurovision 2008 final, thismay allow Austria to possibly return to the contest in 2009.
Overall, despite a victory in 1966, Austria is one of the less successful countries in the Eurovision Song Contest: only 17 of the 43 Austrian entries finished in the first half of the scoreboard.
ORF will broadcast the Eurovision 2008 final on ORF 1 beginning at 21:00 CET.
