RTL, Tele Letzebuerg the Luxemburgois national broadcaster has confirmed to ESCToday that Luxembourg will not return to the Eurovision Song Contest next year in Lisbon.

Thus Luxembourg joins the list of countries which will not return to the contest much to the dismay of Eurovision fans.

Withdrawal and financial strain

Luxembourg withdrew from the competition in 1994 and has not returned ever since, despite enjoying great success in the contest in its early years.

The Luxemburgois broacaster currently concentrates on news features rather than music and entertainment shows. A participation at the Eurovision Song Contest would be both a financial and organizational strain on the channel, taking into account its low financial budget. The broadcaster has no plans to return to the contest at the moment.

Luxembourg in Eurovision

The tiny European landlocked Duchy of Luxembourg was one of the founder members of the Eurovision Song Contest thus debuting at the very first Eurovision Song Contest in Lugano in 1956. The country has won the event 5 times ( 1961,1965,1972,1973, 1983). Luxembourg was last seen in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1993 in Millstreet when Modern Times represented the country with the song Donnez Moi Une Chance De Te Dire.

France Gall (1965 Luxembourg winner)

Eurovision 2018

The 2018 Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled to be held on 8, 10 and 12 May in Lisbon, Portugal.

The deadline for broadcasters to officially apply for Eurovision 2018 concludes by mid September. Hereafter, countries have a grace period to confirm their participation or withdraw their application without a penalty.

The final list of the 2018 Eurovision participating countries is expected to be released by the EBU later during the year.