Eurovision Song Contest

sábado, 18 de enero de 2014

37 countries represented at Eurovision in 2014 [Updated]

Geneva, Switzerland - Public broadcasters from 37 countries have confirmed participation in the 59th Eurovision Song Contest. Poland (TVP) and Portugal (RTP) are making a comeback in 2014, while the new Greek public broadcaster NERIT is set to continue the nation's participation after last year's closure of its predecessor.

This year's 37 participants are the broadcasters in Albania (RTSH), Armenia (AMPTV), Austria (ORF), Azerbaijan (Ictimai TV), Belarus (BTRC), Belgium (VRT), Denmark (DR), Estonia (ERR), Finland (YLE), France (France 3), Georgia (GPB), Germany (NDR), Greece (NERIT), Hungary (MTV), Iceland (RÚV), Ireland (RTÉ), Israel (IBA), Italy (RAI), Latvia (LTV), Lithuania (LRT), FYR Macedonia (MKRTV), Malta (PBS), Moldova (TRM), Montenegro (RTCG), the Netherlands (AvroTros), Norway (NRK), Poland (TVP), Portugal (RTP), Romania (TVR), Russia (RTR), San Marino (SRMTV), Slovenia (RTVSLO) Spain (TVE), Sweden (SVT), Switzerland (SRG SSR), United Kingdom (BBC) and Ukraine (NTU).
One more country kept Europe on their toes till the 17th of January till we could announce that Slovenia decided to join the contest in 2014.
"We see broadcasters from Poland and Portugal returning to the competition as they seem to be on their way to recovery from the financial crisis, while others are facing tough choices as they are being hit by severe budget cuts," says Jon Ola Sand, Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
READ MORE: Sand 'happy' to have Portugal & Poland returning

Substantial effort made

The EBU made a "substantial effort" working with Members to find solutions for financial and organisational challenges, yet Bulgaria, Cyprus and Serbia saw no option but opting out of the 2014 contest.
Croatia stays home due to organisational reasons, Bosnia & Herzegovina withdrew after initially signing up for the contest. Several broadcasters already expressed to the EBU their intention to return in 2015, when the competition celebrates its 60th anniversary.

As France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and the host country Denmark are automatically qualified for the Final, at least 30 countries will take part in the Semi-Finals. From each Semi-Final, ten countries will qualify for the Final.

This year's Eurovision Song Contest will be held at the B&W Hallerne in Copenhagen, Denmark, on the 6th, 8th and 10th of May and is hosted by the Danish EBU Member DR. Last year, the three shows reached some 180 million people across Europe, as well as in Australia, Kazakhstan and China.

Sand 'happy' to have Portugal & Poland back'

Geneva, Switzerland - Eurovision Song Contest organisers are are happy welcome Portugal and Poland back to the contest and are continuing discussions with more broadcaster for a return in 2015, Jon Ola Sand, the Executive Supervisor says.

There has been a lot of speculation about the list of participants for the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest over the past months. What happened?
We have over 30 broadcasters who are dedicated Eurovision Song Contest participants and consider it a highlight on their schedule. We are incredibly proud of that, and appreciate that commitment.
Over the years we have seen countries coming and going, and this year some broadcasters take a break to re-think their approach, others face financial difficulties.

Is it becoming too expensive for some broadcasters to participate?
A broadcaster that participates in the Eurovision Song Contest gets 7,5 hours of high quality live entertainment on prime time, bringing high ratings and a lot of excitement amongst the public.
We firmly believe they get high value for money. But we also understand that does not mean they can all easily afford it. It’s tough times and we see how public broadcasters in all corners of Europe have to deal with severe budget cuts.

What has the EBU done to get as many broadcasters as possible on board?
We are extremely sensitive to the big challenges faced by many of our Members. We have spent a lot of time working with those facing budget cuts and organisational challenges, and tried to find solutions so they can take part in Copenhagen.
The EBU froze participation fees for 2014 compared to last year. In 2013 we already shortened the rehearsal schedule with a day, cutting costs for delegations staying in the host city. This year, host broadcaster DR and their local partners negotiated sharp hotel prices.
Nevertheless, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Serbia had no other choice but staying home due to severe budget restraints. It is also unfortunate that after initially signing up, Bosnia & Herzegovina had to withdrawn, while Croatia has organisational challenges for not participating.
We are very happy to welcome back Poland and Portugal.

A question that's top-of-mind for many fans; Is there any chance to see Turkey returning to the competition?
We have made a lot of effort to bring back Turkey to the Eurovision Song Contest. But in the end, it's up to our Member Broadcaster TRT to decide if they want to be part of this unique pan-European cultural event. They are certainly welcome, and we know that many people across Europe would love to see them back. Therefor, we are continuing our talks with TRT.

What can we expect for the future of the Eurovision Song Contest?
Several broadcasters already expressed their interest to return in 2015, when we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest. We will also continue to work with broadcasters who are facing challenges. One thing is for sure: we need to adapt to reality.
As long as we are in close contact with our Member Broadcasters, listen to their challenges and are eager to find solution, this is something we can deal with. The next stop is Copenhagen, where our Danish colleagues are preparing a Eurovision Song Contest unlike ever before.

Aram Mp3 to represent Armenia in Copenhagen

Yerevan, Armenia - The night of New Year’s Eve is filled with presents and surprises. Having announced the representative in the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest, the Armenian public broadcaster AMPTV made the present to the whole Armenian nation and all Eurovision fans all over Europe. Aram Mp3, the famous singer, comedian and showman in Armenia will represent his country in Copenhagen.

Aram Mp3 has been announced in the Big New Year's Gala TV Show, broadcast on the Armenian First Channel. Aram Mp3 is one of the most beloved personalities of the Armenian show business. He is not only well-known as the singer but also as the comedian and showman in his country. The singer is mostly famous for his live performances. He has a very unique style of covering the international hits and comedies.

Meet Aram Mp3, the Armenian representatative

Check out the Full gallery

The Armenian broadcaster AMPTV has made this decision internally. Among other candidates, Aram Mp3 was the best and the strongest choice. In tonight’s show, the singer performed his famous cover version of Jealousy by Martin Solveig. Here you can listen to his hit If I Tried:

The song for the entry of Aram Mp3 in Copenhagen is still to find. Follow our news to find out about it soon.

Birgit and Ott work together on new track

Tallinn, Estonia - Earlier this month, Estonia's 2013 representative, Birgit Õigemeel, released her fourth album, Uus Algus. Here, she cooperated with 2012 entrant, Ott Lepland, on one of the tracks.

Birgit Õigemeel and Ott Lepland have been working together for some time including a series of Christmas Concerts in 2011. Now they are back as a duo on one of the tracks of Birgit's newly released album, Uus Algus. The ballad, Pea Meeles Head, demonstrates the voices and talent of both artists just as we remember them from the Eurovision Song Contest stage.
You can listen to Pea Meeles Head and the entire album on Spotify.

A new beginning for Birgit

It has been quite a year for Birgit Õigemeel, who not only won the right to represent her country at the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, she also gave birth to a baby boy back in October. Her new album, released earlier this month, is just the latest in a string of personal successes for the young artist this year.
Below you can see Birgit's live performance of the Estonian entry, Et Uus Saaks Alguse from the Grand Final of the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest:

Estonian language revival

As one of the judges in this year's Estonian final, Eesti Laul, commented, there is now a huge focus on Estonian language music, something that has also filtered through to their Eurovision Song Contest entries, which for two years in a row have been in Estonian.
In 2012, Ott Lepland achieved a very respectable 6th place in the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Baku with his ballad Kuula. He has since gone on to have a lot of success both at home and abroad. You can watch the performance below:

Looking at the participants of Eesti Laul 2014, many of the songs are in the Estonian language, meaning that a third entry in a row is a distinct possibility.
Estonia's national selection will take place on the 14th and 21st of February, with a Grand Final on the 1st of March 2014. Stay tuned to Eurovision.tv to see who will succeed Birgit in Copenhagen in May.

sábado, 11 de enero de 2014

2013 The year of Emmelie de Forest

Emmelie de Forest from Denmark won the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden in May this year. Let's look back at her best moments

Emmelie de Forest named "European of the Year"

Copenhagen, Denmark - For the first time, a winner of the Eurovision Song Contest has been named "European of the Year" by the Danish European Movement. This prestigious honour befell none other than 2013 winner, Emmelie de Forest.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Chancellor Angela Merkel, José Manuel Barosso and... Emmelie de Forest.
At first glance, you would not necessarily think that the winner of the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest, Denmark’s Emmelie de Forest, would fit into the above sentence, but she does!
Now, just like these three powerful politicians, Emmelie can now boast being ”European of the Year”.

European of the Year

2001 – Uffe Østergaard, 2002 – Holger K. Nielsen, 2003 – Anders Fogh Rasmussen, 2004 – Dorte Schmidt-Brown, 2005 – Mikhail Marnich, 2006 – Uffe Ellemann-Jensen, 2007 – Joschka Fischer, 2008 – Mariann Fischer Boel, 2009 – José Manuel Barroso, 2010 – Chancellor Angela Merkel, 2011 – Prince Henrik, 2012 – Günter Grass

Emmelie brings Europe together

The title was awarded to the singer by the Danish European Movement, who has handed out the price for the best part of ten years to those Europeans that have contributed the most to European development and cooperation across Europe.
”This year we think it was important to send a signal that the EU is not just politics but also culture and music. That’s where the Eurovision Song Contest is fantastic! It brings Europeans together and Emmelie’s victory shows that little Denmark can also both bring together and contribute in another aspect aside from politically”, says deputy leader of the Danish European Movement, Jens Bo Andersen.
He is also the EU boss at Dansk Metal and believes that Emmelie de Forest’s ability to get all of Europe to love one song is on a par with good EU-politics.

The Danish European Movement

The Danish European Movement is a bipartisan, national society that works for a closer cooperation between European states.
The society has approximately 1,500 members and originates from the Europa Movement.
Another core area is human rights and diversity.

The first Eurovision recipient ever

It is the first time in the prize’s history that it has been awarded to a winner of the Eurovision Song Contest, and for Emmelie de Forest it is a huge honour.
”I am so happy, proud and honoured. Some formidable people have previously won the prize so it means a lot to me. The Eurovision Song Contest embraces all of Europe and even though it is a competition, you can see that it gathers Europeans for a party”, says the singer.
As such, she agrees with Jens Bo Anders and is happy that the Danish European Movement now also places focus on music and culture.

Touring in March

Emmelie de Forest has, in addition to her victory at the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest, also been awarded the fan club’s ”Mylle Prize” this year. ”European of the Year” is therefore the third title the singer can boast about in 2013.
However, in addition to winning prizes, the singer has a lot to look forward to. She has travelled all over Europe since May, released an album and is currently writing another.
”As it looks now, the whole of March will be spent touring around Denmark. It’s going to be fantastic and I have already started rehearsing with the band! During the winter I am going to the USA to write new songs, which I hope I can release next summer and that I can preview in the spring”, reveals Emmelie.

Countdown: Top Searches of 2013

World Wide Web - As another year draws to an end, the internet search engine Google has published lists of the Top Ten subjects that users entered into their searches, and the Eurovision Song Contest, as well as various performers feature in a number of categories both globally and nationally.

A global hit with our clicks

Around the world the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 was number seven amongst the Top Ten Events that we searched for, with the Boston Marathon not surprisingly being top of the category.

Reaching the top in the Netherlands, Russia and Ukraine

Google also published Top Ten lists from various countries, and the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 featured in either the lists of Top Ten Events or Top Ten Tv Programmes, whilst in the Netherlands it made Number One under the list of Festivals and Concerts, with the Junior Songfestival reaching number five in the same category.
In Russia the Eurovision Song Contest occupied the number one slot under the Developments category, which reflects the subjects that saw the largest increase in volume since the previous period. It was also the third most searched subject in the country.
In Ukraine the contest was listed as the number one Event that was searched for, but also featured at number two in the Top Television Programmes category.

Just missing out on the top slot

In Spain, Switzerland and the aforementioned Ukraine the Eurovision Song Contest was the second most searched for item under Television Programmes whilst in Lithuania it took the same position under Events, and it was also the sixth most searched for topic under all searches within the country.

Popular at number three

The contest occupied the number three slot in a large number of countries, in Denmark and Ireland it was third under Television Programmes, whilst in Estonia, France, Finland and United Kingdom it took the same position under Events.

In the Top Ten

Elsewhere, the Eurovision Song Contest was number six in Romania under the Top Events section, and in Austria and Norway it was number seven in same category. In Latvia it ranked at the eighth most searched for subject in the entire country.

National Finals

It wasn't just the actual Eurovision Song Contest that made the Top Ten in various countries, some national finals throughout Europe also featured highly.
Melodifestivalen was in at number one in Sweden under Television Programmes, though surprisingly the actual Eurovision Song Contest failed to feature.
Melodi Grand Prix in Denmark was their number one searched for Television Programme, also proving to be a more popular search than the actual contest. at number three.
Eesti Laul in Estonia was the fifth most searched Event in the country, just one place behind the main contest.
The Norwegian Melodi Grand Prix was the ninth most searched for Event, just two places behind the contest in the same list.

Artists past and present

Several artist from the contest also proved to be popular names to search, with the winner of this year's contest, Emmelie de Forest being the number one name on the Top Musicians list in Denmark, as well as taking the number four position in the Top People list in her home country.
This year's host nation, Sweden, featured a number of performers in their Top Artists category, with the runner up in this year's Melodifestivalen taking the top spot. Even more surprsingly is that the United Kingdom's representative, Bonnie Tyler was the third mos searched for artist in Sweden, ahead of their own entrant Robin Stjernberg at number six. The late Monica Zetterlund ,who represented Sweden in 1963, also made the Top Artists list at number nine.
Two former Israeli entrants featured in a couple of categories in their country. Shlomo Artzi who represented the country in 1975 was the tenth most searched for Celebrity in Israel, whilst their entrant in 2002, Sarit Hadad, was the third most searched for Israeli Women.
In Hungary, Byealex was the third in their Top People list, and the Dutch entrant Anouk occupied the same position in the same category in the Netherlands. In Russia, their entrant, Dina Garipova was number five in their Top People list.
In Belgium, Roberto Bellarosa was the tenth most searched for Top Belgian, whilst Margaret Berger was the tenth most searched for artist within Norway.
Finally, the late Silvi Vrait, who sadly passed away this year, and was Estonia's entrant in their first appearance in final of the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994, was the tenth most searched for person on Google within Estonia.
Other internet search engines are of course available, and no doubt the Eurovision Song Contest 2014, and the participating artists will prove to be popular subjects to search for, and bring you here to the pages of Eurovision.tv!