To date, 30 countries have subscribed for broadcasting Congratulations, the special Eurovision Song Contest 50th anniversary television show, organized on behalf of the EBU by Danish broadcaster DR. Congratulations will take place in Copenhagen on Saturday 22nd October 2005.
These are the 30 countries that have confirmed the broadcast of the 50th anniversary show so far:
1. Andorra (RTVA)
2. Austria (ORF
3. Belgium (RTBF/VRT)
4. Bosnia & Herzegovina (PBSBiH)
5. Croatia (HRT)
6. Cyprus (CyBC)
7. Denmark (DR – Host Broadcaster)
8. Finland (YLE)
9. FYR Macedonia (MKRTV)
10. Germany (NDR/ARD)
11. Greece (ERT)
12. Iceland (RUV)
13. Ireland (RTE)
14. Israel (IBA)
15. Latvia (LTV)
16. Lithuania (LRT)
17. Malta (MT/PBS)
18. Netherlands (TROS)
19. Norway (NRK)
20. Poland (TVP)
21. Portugal (RTP)
22. Romania (TVR)
23. Russia (C1R)
24. Serbia & Montenegro (YRT/RTS/RTCG)
25. Slovenia (RTVSLO)
26. Spain (RTVE)
27. Sweden (SVT)
28. Switzerland (SFDRS)
29. Turkey (TRT)
30. Ukraine (NTU)
Four of the fourteen songs selected to take part in the special 50th anniversary contest will thus not be covered by their own country's broadcaster. The national broadcasters from Italy (Domenico Modugno – Nel blu dipinto di blu), Luxembourg (France Gall – Poupée de cire, poupée de son) and the United Kingdom (Cliff Richard – Congratulations & Brotherhood of Man – Save your kisses for me) have not yet subscribed. Also France won't be broadcasting the show, resulting in only two Big Four countries supporting the event.
The European Broadcasting Union informs that the start of the ticket sales has now officially been set on 22nd August, one week later than initially scheduled. The company that is responsible for the ticket sales has postponed the sales since the ticket sales for a lot of other events in Denmark will be launched on 15th August.
