from ESCToday

 

Latvian broadcaster LTV has confirmed to esctoday.com that they have withdrawn from the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow. The broadcaster will not face any penalty for the withdrawal and are already working to return to the competition in 2010.

In an email to esctoday.com, LTV confirms "The reason for withdrawal is that our government decided to cut down LTV's budget for 2,4 million Lats (3,5 million EUR) and LTV's board decided to close several entertainment programmes including the Eurovision Song Contest 2009."

 

The international coodrinator for Eirodziesma, the Latvian Eurovision Song Contest project has also stated to esctoday.com that they are hoping to return to the competition in 2010.

 

With Latvia and San Marino's participation in doubt, the decision by Georgia to remain in the competition and Slovakia's return, it now seems that the final number of competing nations will be 42. That could still fall as Lithuania's national broadcaster LVT has cast doubt on whether they will appear on stage in Moscow.

 

I'm disappointed by this, Latvia don't do exceptionally well in ESC, aside from Marie N in 2002 of course, but they always take risks with their songs and I respect them for that...

 

2001: yodelling cheese-pop

2002: striptease cod-latin

2003: pop

2004: rock

2005: acoustic teen duo peace ballad

2006: acapella boy-band

2007: opera

2008: novelty pirates

 

you can't accuse them of not changing their sound! for that reason I will really miss them :cry:

That's sad :(

Who will we give 12 points to? :cry:

Who will we give 12 points to? :cry:

 

:lol: Maybe the song you like best, for once? :)

 

Sad to see Latvia go. Even though their winner was one of the worst winners of recent times (only beaten by 2001 and 2008) they always do something different as gooddelta says, and I liked them last year :)

I was upset at this news, before remembering that they are by far my least favourite country in this contest. Yay for Russia :heart:

And when did Georgia make the decision to remain in the contest? :mellow:

I was upset at this news, before remembering that they are by far my least favourite country in this contest. Yay for Russia :heart:

 

Mine was FYRO Macedonia - until last year :wub:

:lol: Maybe the song you like best, for once? :)

 

Lol. I always vote for a good song. The song that I voted for most was Slovenia 2007. :heart:

 

:lol: Maybe the song you like best, for once? :)

 

Sad to see Latvia go. Even though their winner was one of the worst winners of recent times (only beaten by 2001 and 2008) they always do something different as gooddelta says, and I liked them last year :)

 

I'm the only person that likes 2001's Everybody it would seem :heehee: my favourite winning song ever in fact :heart:

 

Marie N was so much worse because she beat the magnificent Ira Losco :( and Jessica Garlick/Sahlene of course, but they were miles behind

I was upset at this news, before remembering that they are by far my least favourite country in this contest. Yay for Russia :heart:

 

really, I always look forward to see what they come up with next, same with Germany, the music innovators that they are!

 

I mildly enjoyed Latvia's entries in 2003, 2005 and 2008 but the others were awful...

 

what I really want 2009 to bring is for Estonia to go back to their mid-90's-2002 glory days

Germany actually do good innovation though :( Latvia are just a p***-poor Germany tbh...

yet do better in the results table every single year :(

 

apart from 2003, but Lou was a legend :wub:

Who will we give 12 points to? :cry:

 

Malta probably! :lol: :P

With Latvia gone and Lithuania considering Withdrawel (or so I've heard) voters in Ireland will be truly lost when it comes to the voting in May! :o

With Latvia gone and Lithuania considering Withdrawel (or so I've heard) voters in Ireland will be truly lost when it comes to the voting in May! :o

 

Well, the Irish people won't find it difficult at all :P With the Jury vote, too, it'll be quite unpredictable. :dance: