Eurovision Song Contest Not Political

Michael Hedges - July 31, 2006

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) reacted swiftly and harshly to a suggestion that the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest just might be a great promotional device for the European Unions’ 50th anniversary.
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One simple line from Commissioner Margot Wallström’s eight page document on whatever sent the EBU – keeper of the Eurovision Song Contest – into a tizzy. Referring to next years’ 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome that created the European Union (EU) she said “the involvement of possible linkages with the Eurovision Song Contest could be seriously considered.”

That was sufficient to set the EBU communications department on fire. Careful not to lay blame on Commissioner Wallström, the EBU pointed at press reports suggesting that the European Commission was ready to take over the Eurovision Song Contest for a bit of celebratory propaganda next May in Helsinki. In its usual diplomatic way, EBU stated that the Eurovision Song Contest “will always remain independent from political ties.”

Delicately but clearly placed was a mention that EBU is the “rightsholder” of the Eurovision Song Contest. And the EBU is open to cooperation with the EU. Said Bjørn Erichsen, director of the EBU Television Department: “Should the European Commission wish to cooperate with the EBU in celebrating its anniversary, the EBU will be more than willing to approach its members to develop a specific programme for that purpose...”. That means: bring cash.

Mrs.Wallström “clarified” her statement saying she harbored no malicious intent toward the Eurovision Song Contest. Her statement of clarification, placed on her personal blog, did indicate a bit of surprise at the commotion. As a full-time resident of Brussels she can be excused scaring the daylights out of the EBU.

Needless to say, the EBU watches everything coming out of Brussels very carefully.

More than half of the normal participants in the Eurovision Song Contest are from outside the European Union. The EBU counts 74 members in 54 countries. At latest count the European Union had 25 member States.

Norwegians, twice rejecting EU membership, are already under stress about the dates of the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest falling on the same day as their national Constitution Day. A disaster, they said, if Norway wins next year and hosts the 2008 show.

If the Eurovision Song Contest gave birth to such reality star-maker shows like Pop Idol, the EBU isn’t taking any rights chances, lining up as many similar formats as possible. Games Without Frontiers (Jeux Sans Frontières) will be relaunched as a nine part contest show next year.

ftm Follow Up & Comments

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