The budget required for the Latvian broadcaster to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 has not yet been agreed.
Latvian media reports that the budget required for LTV to participate in the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest has not yet been agreed. A total of €300,000 is required for the broadcaster to take part in the competition and to hold its related selection show for the competition.
Without the funding required for participation in Eurovision 2020, it is being suggested that LTV cut back the scale of its selection process. A one night selection show or an internal artist selection are being suggested.
LTV states that it has until mid-September to express their interest in participating in Eurovision 2020 to the EBU, before submitting the required paperwork and payments in early October.
Ivars Priede a member of the Board for LTV, explained to Parliament that there is a wider question currently about the adequate funding of public service broadcasting in Latvia. Mr Priede warned that should LTV’s budget be cut it would be forced to cut its output, and mainly show repeats.
Latvia was represented by the group Carousel at Eurovision 2019. They performed the song “That Night” and finished 15th in their semi-final with a total of 50 points. Latvia’s highest points came in the form of 12 points from the Lithuanian televote.
Source: NRA.lv
Latvia debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2000, being the last of the Baltic nations to join the contest. On their debut, Brainstorm finished in 3rd place with the song “My Star”. Latvia won the contest for the first and only time in 2002, with Marie N’s “I Wanna”. Latvia only participated in 2002 thanks to the withdrawal of Portugal from the contest, as Latvia’s poor result in 2001 had relegated them from the 2002 contest. Latvia struggled in to the contest after 2002, failing to qualify for the final for six years between 2009 and 2014. In 2015 and 2016 Latvia has finished 6th and 15th in the final respectively.
