Greek broadcaster ERT has contacted the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) over the Cypriot broadcaster’s decision to hold its Eurovision 2024 selection in cooperation with another Greek broadcaster.
Politis reports that the Greek public broadcaster has contacted the EBU, which organises the Eurovision Song Contest, to question why its Cypriot counterpart is allowed to hold its selection in Greece.
CyBC is cooperating with Star Greece on its selection for Eurovision 2024 using ‘Fame Story’ which is being organised in Greece to determine its representative. This is the first time that CyBC has co-operated with a broadcaster outside of Cyprus on its Eurovision selection.
However, because the show will be shot in a studio in Greece, ERT believes that Fame Story is against Eurovision rules as the national selection is being organised outside of Cypriot territory.
Reports say that ERT is concerned by Fame Story being produced in Greece to the point that they are threatening to withdraw from the EBU if Cyprus doesn’t change their plans. The EBU have sent a letter asking for an explanation, although they haven’t yet made a decision on whether Cyprus is breaking any rules.
If the EBU does uphold the Greek broadcaster’s complaint, however, Cyprus risks being banned from the Eurovision Song Contest if they do not make changes to their national selection format. It’s the first time that Greece has ever taken such a step against Cyprus, a country with which they have exceptionally strong political and cultural ties.
Broadcasters have opted to co-operate with private counterparts before on their Eurovision selection including in Ukraine between UA:PBC and STB, as well as in Germany between NDR and ProSieben. However, the last time an EBU member worked internationally on a selection was in 2004 when RTVA cooperated with TV3 in Catalonia on its first selection for Eurovision.
‘Fame Story’ will begin later this year in late September and will finish in December, which is when we will find out Cyprus’ artist who will represent them at Eurovision 2024 in Malmo. You can find out more about Cyprus’s national selection ‘Fame Story’ here.
Image source: EBU / Corinne Cumming | Source: Politis
Greece debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974 when they were represented by Marinella and the song “Krasi, thalassa kai t’agori mou” which finished in 11th place with 7 points. Three years later Greece earned their first top 5 finish with Paschalis, Marianna, Robert, and Bessy who finished in 5th place with “Mathima solfege”. In 2001 Greece achieved their first top 3 result with Antique and the song “I Would Die For You”. The song became a European hit and charted across the continent. In 2005 Helena Paparizou returned to the Eurovision stage as a solo artist and brought Greece their first, and to date only, victory. Her song “My Number One” won with 230 points, beating runners-up Malta by 38 points.
