For months fans of the Eurovision Song Contest has been holding their breath regarding the Danish participation. Tight financial conditions at DR led to many worries that the Dansk Melodi Grand Prix and the Eurovision Song Contest would be cut off in order to save money.
DR’s financial problems are such that the broadcaster needed to cut down on many of its expensive programs, and when it was announced that this would affect the entertainment department many feared that a Danish withdrawal from the Eurovision Song Contest was on the way. However DR has now made it clear that this will not happen.
The financial situation at DR – which has now left big parts of the sports and entertainment departments suffering – stems from the construction of new buildings. The budget for the building program kept getting more and more expensive, and no one acted before it had become more-or-less a matter of survival for DR, the Danish public broadcaster.
DR will be selling out its rights for major sports events, and planned prime time entertainment programs have been cancelled. Music events like the Danish Music Awards and some jazz programs will be affected as well – but Dansk Melodi Grand Prix and the Eurovision Song Contest stays. The Nordic junior contest will not be affected either.
DR will have to save 187.5 million DKR (26 million euros) every year on the budget, and unfortunately it has also been needed to fire 300 people.
We can now hope that the only drama regarding Denmark and the Eurovision Song Contest will be concentrated on DQ's Drama queen in Helsinki. Due to the rest of Europe not twisting like Denmark did last year he will have to start in the semi-final on 10th of May.