Mr. Enric Castellet, director of the Andorran public broadcaster RTVA is expected to take a decision concerning the country's participation or withdrawal from the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest today. As previously reported, quitting the competition is the most possible scenario for the broadcaster, given that their budget for 2010 will be cut down.
Nevertheless, although a withdrawal is very likely, the Andorran broadcaster could anyway submit their application to the European Broadcasting Union just in case the shareholders of the station change their minds and allow the country to participate in Eurovision. If finally RTVA quit, as expected, there would be no penalty for them if they withdraw their application within one month counting from this Sunday, November 13th, the deadline for applications submission set by the EBU.
Mr. Castellet has reminded that the economical difficulties are striking the broadcaster he chairs and next year's budget will not grant any funding for the Eurovision project. This is why the station's plans for 2010 do not include a Eurovision participation.
The likely decision to quit Eurovision has not been welcomed by the Andorran musicians, who argue that "the lack of money should not stop the country from participating", and also criticise the broadcaster for their entries in recent years, which are "not representative of the Andorran musical panorama".
UPDATE: Andorran broadcaster RTVA have decided to submit their application to the EBU not to dismiss the possibility to take part in the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest. Anyway, as it has been reported, the likelihood for Andorra to take part in next year's competition is very low owing to budget restrictions. Therefore, the most possible scenario is not to see Andorra participate in Oslo 2010.