In the wake of yesterday’s news regarding Ukrainian broadcaster UA:PBC’s current financial situation and threat of closure, ESCToday decided to investigate further and illuminate our readers with the latest developments and thus clarify if Ukraine’s Eurovision participation at the forthcoming 2018 Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon was really in jeopardy?
Yesterday saw the EBU release a news article on its official website stating that the Ukrainian broadcaster was under threat of closure due to its current financial afflictions and lack of funding. This set off the alarm in the Eurovision grapevine as the alleged closure of the Ukrainian broadcaster by April would endager the country’s Eurovision participation in Lisbon.
ESCToday contacted both the EBU and UA:PBC in order to clarify the matter and shed more light on the current situation. The EBU told ESCToday:
If a situation ever arose in which a broadcaster could not fulfil necessary requirements there are always contingency plans in place, as is normal when planning such a large event with many international stakeholders. However, the EBU continue to work hard with UA:PBC to secure a participation in The Eurovision Song Contest 2018 in Lisbon.
After the EBU’s answer we gather that the EBU will do its level best to ensure that Ukraine will compete at the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest.
Ukraine in Eurovision
Ukraine debuted in Eurovision in 2003 and has won the competition on two ocassions, namely in 2004 with Ruslana and in 2016 with Jamala.
The country is amongst the most successful countries in the contest and has never missed a Eurovision Grand Final since its debut, with the exception of 2015 when the country Ukraine withdrew from the contest. Ukraine has achieved a total of 9 Top 10 placings in its 14 year history in the event.
Ukriane has hosted the Eurovision Song Contest twice: 2005 and 2017. Melovin was crowned the winner of the 2018 Ukrainian national final and will fly to Lisbon to defend the Ukrainian colours at the upcoming Eurovision edition in Portugal.
Ukraine will compete in the Second Semi-final of the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest on 10 May in Lisbon.
