The public broadcaster of Bosnia & Herzegovina has stated that it is considering returning to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2025.
BHRT the public broadcaster of Bosnia & Herzegovina has spoken about thoughts of returning to the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time since 2016. In a Program Plan for 2024, the broadcaster outlined its plans for the coming year with new programmes announced, discussions around target audience and the statement below:
“Also, we think it is high time to consider the possibility of returning BiH representatives to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2025.”
This is the first time in a number of years that BHRT has publicly spoken about a wish to return to the Eurovision Song Contest. BHRT last participated in Eurovision 2016 thanks to the support of private sponsorship.
The broadcaster had previously confirmed to Eurovoix in October 2023 that they remained sanctioned by the EBU and would not participate in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest. Resolving financial issues at the broadcaster and resolving payments to the EBU remains a critical barrier to participation in the Eurovision Song Contest.
The European Broadcasting Union first placed sanctions on BHRT in December 2016 when the EBU cut off BHRT’s access to the Eurovision News Exchange. BHRT was then restricted access to events and has been unable to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest since 2018.
Image source: Albin Olsson | Source: BHRT
Bosnia & Herzegovina debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1993, at the time the country was at war with Yugoslavia, with the singers having to leave Sarajevo under the cover of darkness to make it to Millstreet, Ireland. The countries best result in the Eurovision Song Contest came in 2006 when Hari Mata Hari made it to the final in Athens and finished 3rd with 229 points, the country received eight sets of 12 points, more than any other country. Bosnia last participated in 2016 where Dalal & Deen feat. Ana Rucner & Jala finished 11th in their semi final and failed to reach the final.
I’m sure this will happen if Croatia wins. It will be much more affordable for them to participate then…