The Ukrainian national broadcaster, UA:PBC is under threat of closure by the end of April unless a solution to inadequate funding can be found.
UA:PBC has stated that it may be forced to close at the end of April if it is unable to find an adequate level of funding to continue. The broadcaster revealed at a conference last week that so far it has received just half of the funding that it is allocated by Ukrainian law. The situation could see the broadcaster closed just over a year after it was opened.
The national broadcaster is currently undergoing a process of restructuring its 28 regional units throughout the country, reducing staff numbers and making the switch to digital. The broadcaster requires a short term solution for it to be able to continue in to the future.
Should UA:PBC close in April it would mean that the country would be forced to withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest, as no other Ukrainian broadcaster currently holds European Broadcasting Union membership.
Ukraine has selected MELOVIN to represent them at the Eurovision Song Contest 2018. MELOVIN is the first male solo artist to represent his country since Oleksandr Ponomariov in 2003, on the country’s debut. His victory in Vidbir also marked the first time in Vidbir history that there was no tiebreak for first place.
Source: EBU
Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest
Ukraine first participated in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2003, when Oleksandr Ponomariov performed “Hasta la vista”. The following year Ruslana brought the country their first win with the song “Wild Dances”. It was a feat that would be replicated in 2016 by Jamala with her song “1944”; her emotionally charged song scored a record 534 points to take victory in Stockholm. Last year O.Torvald represented the country on home soil with the song “Time”. The group finished in 24th place, Ukraine’s worst result at the contest to date.
If Ukraine withdraws, they’ll be in big trouble! 🙁
That’s terrible! 🙁