Apparently Kazakhstan are negotiating with the EBU (I CANNOT say that abbreviation without doing so in the style of Lynda Woodruff!) to become members and, if they do, may be able to submit an entry in time for 2014. If so, they will become the 11th Ex-USSR state to become members.

 

Apparently they have been negotiating for a few years which has got me thinking... what is the criteria exactly to join the EBU?

Edited May 20, 201312 yr by ScottyEm

You have to be within the European broadcasting region, which is effectively a large square which covers Europe, North Africa, the Caucasus, and even parts of the Middle East. So far as I know, Kazakhstan are just on the edge of it (but then, a small bit of Kazakhstan west of the Caucasus is also technically in Europe)

I would prefer Morocco entering ESC (I don't know if they're already a member or not)

I would prefer Morocco entering ESC (I don't know if they're already a member or not)

 

Morocco have entered once in the 80s I think.

 

EDIT

 

In 1980, they came 18th with 7 points.

Edited May 20, 201312 yr by Bartholiver

In 1980 with Bitaqat khub. It flopped. It was also because Israel weren't entering that year, so I doubt it'll happen any time soon.

I would like something appropriately Kazakh and bizarre if they ever do enter. And anyone who complains that they aren't Europe doesn't REALLY have a leg to stand on, no-one complains when it's UEFA - and they have that bit that IS actually in Europe to back that up (which Israel and Armenia do not have). I doubt they'd even be a threat unless they take an Azeri approach to the contest, they seem far too culturally removed from the other ex-Soviet states for there to be much of a diaspora.

 

However I'd prefer Morocco back to be honest - and any state that is fully in Europe that has pulled out ahead of them. For appearances and all, we have enough idiotic naysayers denouncing Turkey, Israel and the Caucasus as 'not Europe' and imagine how that'd be blown out of proportion if Kazakhstan joined.

I'd be SO ON for Kazakhstan joining!

Next year should be a big year for us. The UK will learn it's lesson and do a national final again.

I'm sure all EBU countries (except the Vatican) will enter the 2015 contest.

I'm sure all EBU countries (except the Vatican) will enter the 2015 contest.

 

All 54 countries? :blink:

Yes, Andorra, Luxembourg, Monaco, Morocco, Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia will all come out of Eurovision purgatory to be humiliated in the BEAST of whichever semi-final they're in as a result.

 

Seriously though, that'd make the semis almost as long as the finals. Perhaps longer if we get Libya, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Kosovo, Lebanon, Jordan and Liechtenstein debuting (have I missed anyone?). I don't think I could take that much, as much as I'd like to see everyone back. And AS IF that'd ever happen.

I'd like as many countries as possible, I'd love having over 50 participants even though it would never happen! I think Liechtenstein are another country whose broadcaster has been trying to join the EBU for the last couple of years so that they can take part in Eurovision, hopefully it eventually happens!

 

According to Wikipedia, the broadcasters from Kosovo and Qatar also have pending applications to join the EBU as well as a new broadcaster from Morocco that all have ambitions to join the Eurovision Song Contest.

Has Egypt actually ever shown any interest in taking part?

 

 

Edited May 20, 201312 yr by Sabrewulf

Although having ABSOLUTELY EVERYBODY participating would make it harder for Azerbaijan to buy their way to the top.

 

And we hear these Liechtenstein/Morocco/Kosovo/Qatar rumours every year. I doubt this'll be the year more than any other. Portugal, Bosnia and Turkey coming back at best.

 

Has Egypt actually ever shown any interest in taking part?

 

I don't think so. I'm not TOO sure on their policy over Israel but it's probably that, just like it's kept every other North African/Middle East country out.

I supposed it is particularly interesting that Kazakhstan did broadcast both the 2013 semi finals and final this year, but then again according to Wikipedia they did in 2012 also along with Kyrgyzstan!

I say there is more room for new countries to join so I'm defo envisaging a new Ex-USSR state emerging. Also, anything for the usual anti-Eurovision British to say how policital it is while we think about which OAP to send with something irrelevant.

I think Kosovo has to be recognised as a country by everybody in Europe/Eurovision before they can join. (I may have strayed into a political minefield here inadvertantly, oops!)

 

TBH, I think 38-45 is probably the ideal number for the eurovision, any more and you'd have terrible situations like only 10 songs qualifying out of a 20+ song semi final!

Why is every North African country not taking part cause of Israel? Did I miss something?

Why is every North African country not taking part cause of Israel? Did I miss something?

Pan-Arab alliance. None of them (with a few exceptions, like Egypt) recognise the existence of the state of Israel.

 

Egypt wouldn't want to sign up anyway - they aren't in the EBU and I doubt they have any cultural desire to do Eurovision, especially now the Muslim Brotherhood are in charge there.

Also, the king of Morocco said after they flopped that Morocco would never enter again, so until he carks it, that.

Pan-Arab alliance. None of them (with a few exceptions, like Egypt) recognise the existence of the state of Israel.

 

Egypt wouldn't want to sign up anyway - they aren't in the EBU and I doubt they have any cultural desire to do Eurovision, especially now the Muslim Brotherhood are in charge there.

 

I thought they were.

 

The Egyptian Radio and Television Union (ERTU), formerly the Arab Radio and Television Union, is the public broadcaster of Egypt, operated by the Egyptian government. It is a member of the European Broadcasting Union.