Monte-Carlo Riviera TV the new public service broadcaster in Monaco is set to be launched in 2023.
The launch of the new Monegasque public service broadcaster has been delayed for one year until the summer of 2023. General Manager of the channel, Salim Zeghdar, told the Monegasque press in late March that the broadcaster plans to launch between June and September 2023.
Interest in the new Monegasque broadcaster has been heightened by reports that the channel could bring the nation back to the Eurovision Song Contest. L’Observateur de Monaco reported that the state budget for Monaco in 2022 includes an allocation of 100,000 Euros to “initiate the application of the Principality to the Eurovision 2023 competition”.
Should Monaco wish to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest using the new channel it would need to gain membership of the European Broadcasting Union. The latest it could be accepted into the EBU to compete in Eurovision 2023 would be December 2022.
Based on the delay in the launch of the channel, Eurovision 2024 would be the next contest the broadcaster could be eligible to compete in.
Image Source: SEPAC Stamps | Source: Monaco Hebdo
Monaco is one of a number of microstates to have participated in the Eurovision Song Contest. The Principality made its debut in the contest in 1959 becoming the twelfth country to take part in the contest. On their debut, Monaco finished last with just one point. Monaco’s only victory to date came in 1971 when Séverine performed “Un banc, un arbre, une rue” scoring a total of 128 points, 12 points clear of runners up Spain. Following the 1979 contest, Monaco withdrew from the contest until 2004. The Principality competed three times between 2004 and 2006 but failed to qualify for the final.
