Icelandic broadcaster RUV has delayed the submission deadline for entry into Söngvakeppni 2009, the Eurovision Song Contest selection programme for one week. Artists and composers now have until October 20th to submit their entries.
The move comes after the small island nation was hit particularly badly by the global financial crisis. Two banks have collapsed and the island's currency has been hit hard, almost bankrupting the nation. As a result, the broadcaster has had to dedicate the majority of it's efforts on covering the crisis and it's own position in the turmoil. The national economy was saved from disaster by an emergency loan from 2009 Eurovision Song Contest host nation, Russia of € 5.4bn.
RUV has extended the deadline, initially set for 13th October by an extra week to allow record companies, artists and composers to finalise their entries and submit them for consideration in the final.
In 2008, Euroband won the competition and went on to become Iceland's first Eurovision Song Contest entry to qualify from a semi final.
