About private boardcasters: It is not impossible for them to get EBU-membership, but I think it's pretty hard and more of a exeption then a rule. Prime example: Luxembourg. But it's important to say that their constitution doesn't allow them to have a public boardcaster. Their offshoot of RTL (which is a huge boardcasting-group with channels in many european countries that has a big HQ in Cologne, Germany) has a public boardcasting-mandate and these kind-of boardcasters are also allowed in the EBU.
Wow. Up until now, we've had every number of participants, ranging from 36 to 43, except for 38. So, it's great to see that number as well. I mean, I don't get why it had never been 38 before. Why not. On the other hand, it's a pity not to see Andorra, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania and Türkiye come back.
I'm sad that North Macedonia aren't in, especially since they do participate in Junior ESC. Hopefully the EBU can work something out for these smaller countries that struggle financially. Of course I'd love to see Romania an Bulgaria back as well. And maybe most of all Hungary, since they were pretty consistently good.
I wonder, given what's happening in Georgia at the moment, whether we may see a Georgian withdrawal or disqualification - especially as crackdowns on free speech, protests and independent media continue to grow...
@@ESCTom honestly, I could see it, but I feel like the way it would happen would be similar to Belarus 2021 (i.e. try to send a blatantly pro-government song and not be allowed to get away with it)
@wilyriley_ I can entirely see that happening - or else the public broadcaster turned into a state propaganda channel which in theory is against EBU’s rules and values
Sad Romania isn't going in. But, as someone who does in fact live there, things aren't going great, especially not in terms of politics. Maybe next year...
After last year's pervading rancour, I am happy with 38 participants. I miss Turkiye the most, but don't see them returning anytime soon. Romania and North Macedonia often send entries I like, so, for me, they need a speedy return to the contest.
I'm bulgarian so obviously really sad we aren't participating again, but it's really not surprising. I've noticed Eurovision has become a lot less popular here in recent years (especially for rich people lol), but i do hope something comes to fruition next year!
My personal theory: so Yagody was in the longlist for Vidbir artists. Yagody published a folk banger called "Chornomorets" ("Black Sea") on November 21. COINCIDENCE?? I really hope that's their song and they make the final Vidbir list!!! 💙💛💙💛
it would have been a delightful surprise if Romania was here, but things are a total political clustereff at the moment so I didn't expect it. let's hope things are in better shape for next year. i think there are actually a number of bigger names that would take the chance to participate if they had the chance - it's just such a great platform!!
Excited for Estonia. Tommy will be up there if he can charm the jury. Lelek Croatia may surprise with the right song and I’m sure a few hidden surprises yet to come. Sweden guaranteed a top 3 if Mans gets through with his reputation I always think mid Jan to mid march is the best time for Eurovision barring the big day itself. The unveiling of each country is exciting Thomas is the best analyser folks Just saying
So if all of this year's countries return and the four countries we might reasonably expect to come back soon also enter (Monaco, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Romania), we'd have 42. If we add the three countries that have not entered for reasons of funding and/or interest (Andorra, Bosnia, Slovakia), we'd have 45. If we add countries that have never participated but might be willing to were they to join the EBU (Liechtenstein, Kazakhstan) we'd have 47 - 48 if you include Kosovo, which would require an unlikely but not impossible political settlement with Serbia. If different governments are eventually elected in Hungary and Turkey, we could then have 50 countries competing. If there was somehow a rapid rapprochement between the west and Russia, then Russia and Belarus could come back, bringing us to 52. Add an even less likely thaw in Arab-Israeli relations and Morocco could come back, along with Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon, bringing total participation to 58. With 52 countries competing in the semifinals for 20 spots, the competition would be *extremely* fierce
lol true, but theres so many "Ifs" there 😂 Conceptually if so many countries entered, they would have to make the final a little longer and have more countries in it
Im so sad that Romania, North Macedonia & Bulgaria arent coming back. Romania in particular always add a certain flavour to the competition and a lot of fun. Im also still holding out all hope for a Bosnia & Herzegovina return at some point in the near future. I miss their print on the competition. Would also love to see Turkey return too.
B&H are now 10 million in debt to the EBU so that isnt happening soon 🥲 Erdogan's says hes leaving politics in 2028 so theoretically they could come back then
@ESCTom HOW MUCH?! 🤯🤯🤯 Is that through being allowed to participate without paying the fees but promising to do so? I'm so confused! Erdogan needs a night out "In The Disco"
Omg lol I’ve no idea. I’ll check it when I get home. I often cut out 2013 when analysing results so I might have copied and pasted the years from those stats. Thanks for pointing it out!! 🙏🏻
The thing people need to remember is that Eurovision is a chance to see beyond hate and divisions. Whether you support or are against Israels government, the civilians who live there should still be treated with respect and acceptance. Same for countries like Russia too. I think it's important to embrace the joy of Eurovision without bringing political bias into the fold
I actually think that all of the southeast european Countries (Romania,Bulgaria and N. Macedonia) arent competing bc there is a political reasons behind their decison. Maybe their have Financial struggle to funding the esc but in you really Want someone who represents your Country you have Mandy options to do that, Even with a low Budget!
saddest about North Macedonia by far - while they didn’t usually get the best results, I usually liked their songs, and I hope they come back soon so I can defend their song only to watch as it once again doesn’t qualify
@ there was also that one proposed budget that allocated _some_ extra money to ESC compared to last year but not enough to pay for a participation - I think MRT just saw those numbers and then pretended it wouldn’t be a problem and procrastinated making a final call (which honestly, mood)
@ We need to start an ESC Fan Fund for Bulgaria maybe a JESC Fan Fund while we are at it. All funds go to Bulgaria (and other countries in Bulgarias situation) so they can go to Eurovision
I think it wouldn't feel right for Israel not participateing due to Kan being privatized, I am worried how them participateing this year will effect the contest. Also I don't know much about Romanias broadcasters but I now kinda hope Germanys new system might work and maybe will inspire some smaller countries to work out similar systems to maybe enable them to participate.
Me waiting and eating popcorn for Israel's participation and the drama their delegations will cause (and their bullying of competing artists) and the "changes" EBU made to just make no real difference whatsoever.
Would muchmuchmuchmuchmuch rather only having 37 and no israel, as even if somehow you support them you can agree it only makes things worse all around
The last time we had 38 countries in the contest. It lead to a separation of a country. Let's hope nothing as extreme happens this time. 😂
I am the saddest about Romania. I really, REALLY thought they're gonna be back...Eurovision 2026, hopefully
About private boardcasters: It is not impossible for them to get EBU-membership, but I think it's pretty hard and more of a exeption then a rule. Prime example: Luxembourg. But it's important to say that their constitution doesn't allow them to have a public boardcaster. Their offshoot of RTL (which is a huge boardcasting-group with channels in many european countries that has a big HQ in Cologne, Germany) has a public boardcasting-mandate and these kind-of boardcasters are also allowed in the EBU.
Wow. Up until now, we've had every number of participants, ranging from 36 to 43, except for 38. So, it's great to see that number as well. I mean, I don't get why it had never been 38 before. Why not. On the other hand, it's a pity not to see Andorra, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania and Türkiye come back.
So exciting to have so much Eurovision news, feels like half living from June - November
I think, in a few years, we will be able to hit the 40 again 🙏
I'm sad that North Macedonia aren't in, especially since they do participate in Junior ESC. Hopefully the EBU can work something out for these smaller countries that struggle financially. Of course I'd love to see Romania an Bulgaria back as well. And maybe most of all Hungary, since they were pretty consistently good.
the best thing to get these countries back would be to host in Eastern Europe
I wonder, given what's happening in Georgia at the moment, whether we may see a Georgian withdrawal or disqualification - especially as crackdowns on free speech, protests and independent media continue to grow...
i really really hope not
@@ESCTom honestly, I could see it, but I feel like the way it would happen would be similar to Belarus 2021 (i.e. try to send a blatantly pro-government song and not be allowed to get away with it)
yeah, sorry but this is because of the georgian dream party
@@bacongamer14 yep, exactly 😔
@wilyriley_ I can entirely see that happening - or else the public broadcaster turned into a state propaganda channel which in theory is against EBU’s rules and values
Tom, thank you for the information. Eurovision and Strictly - my two favourite contests!
Sad Romania isn't going in. But, as someone who does in fact live there, things aren't going great, especially not in terms of politics. Maybe next year...
Im so sad about Romania, Monaco and Bulgaria not to participate. And I wanna know when Kazahkstan will be able to participate.
i dont think they'll want to because of the time difference, the show is on too late
thank you so much for all the information, Tom
38 is a cool number. 16 semifinalists each semifinal plus the 6 autoQs.
28th January is the semi-final allocation draw
Saddest about Romania 🇷🇴. Hopeful for Ireland 🇮🇪. Excited about the Baltic states and the Netherlands 🇳🇱.
Great that we have more countries than last year, hopefully soon we can hit 43 again!
After last year's pervading rancour, I am happy with 38 participants. I miss Turkiye the most, but don't see them returning anytime soon. Romania and North Macedonia often send entries I like, so, for me, they need a speedy return to the contest.
I'm bulgarian so obviously really sad we aren't participating again, but it's really not surprising. I've noticed Eurovision has become a lot less popular here in recent years (especially for rich people lol), but i do hope something comes to fruition next year!
We need to win back those billionaires 😭
I also wanted Romania because the language is one of my favourites.
at least there's always a chance we'll hear it from Moldova :)
My personal theory: so Yagody was in the longlist for Vidbir artists. Yagody published a folk banger called "Chornomorets" ("Black Sea") on November 21. COINCIDENCE?? I really hope that's their song and they make the final Vidbir list!!! 💙💛💙💛
Granted, the song is 4 minutes but songs can be shortened!!!
I was really hoping for a come back to Monaco. I do still miss Bulgaria and Romania too
it would have been a delightful surprise if Romania was here, but things are a total political clustereff at the moment so I didn't expect it. let's hope things are in better shape for next year. i think there are actually a number of bigger names that would take the chance to participate if they had the chance - it's just such a great platform!!
yea of course, Romania has MUCH bigger issues right now 😵💫
Excited for Estonia. Tommy will be up there if he can charm the jury.
Lelek Croatia may surprise with the right song and I’m sure a few hidden surprises yet to come.
Sweden guaranteed a top 3 if Mans gets through with his reputation
I always think mid Jan to mid march is the best time for Eurovision barring the big day itself. The unveiling of each country is exciting
Thomas is the best analyser folks
Just saying
Espresso Macchiatto from Tommy, for the win!
Still waiting for Bosnia's return to the contest, even though I know it will take a long ass while 😭🇧🇦💙
I am so sad about Monaco I was really expecting them 😢
Maybe 2026
@gothiclight8048 i really lost the hope actually same with Andorra 😭
@@brechthaerynck1238 Maybe they just can’t fund it though
@gothiclight8048 Andorra maybe but is monaco not one of the richest countries in the world?
@ But maybe their broadcaster isn’t so rich and is just finding its feet
So if all of this year's countries return and the four countries we might reasonably expect to come back soon also enter (Monaco, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Romania), we'd have 42. If we add the three countries that have not entered for reasons of funding and/or interest (Andorra, Bosnia, Slovakia), we'd have 45. If we add countries that have never participated but might be willing to were they to join the EBU (Liechtenstein, Kazakhstan) we'd have 47 - 48 if you include Kosovo, which would require an unlikely but not impossible political settlement with Serbia. If different governments are eventually elected in Hungary and Turkey, we could then have 50 countries competing. If there was somehow a rapid rapprochement between the west and Russia, then Russia and Belarus could come back, bringing us to 52. Add an even less likely thaw in Arab-Israeli relations and Morocco could come back, along with Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon, bringing total participation to 58. With 52 countries competing in the semifinals for 20 spots, the competition would be *extremely* fierce
lol true, but theres so many "Ifs" there 😂
Conceptually if so many countries entered, they would have to make the final a little longer and have more countries in it
Im so sad that Romania, North Macedonia & Bulgaria arent coming back.
Romania in particular always add a certain flavour to the competition and a lot of fun.
Im also still holding out all hope for a Bosnia & Herzegovina return at some point in the near future. I miss their print on the competition. Would also love to see Turkey return too.
B&H are now 10 million in debt to the EBU so that isnt happening soon 🥲
Erdogan's says hes leaving politics in 2028 so theoretically they could come back then
@ESCTom HOW MUCH?! 🤯🤯🤯
Is that through being allowed to participate without paying the fees but promising to do so? I'm so confused!
Erdogan needs a night out "In The Disco"
@@ESCTom as a Turkish American, I’m praying (PRAYING) that erdogen leaves ASAP. He is awful to say the least
he said he'll be leaving in 2028
Tragic that Vatican City won't debut 😢
BTW Tom, what happened to 2013 on your bar chart? The number of entries that year was 39, just for the record!
Omg lol I’ve no idea. I’ll check it when I get home. I often cut out 2013 when analysing results so I might have copied and pasted the years from those stats. Thanks for pointing it out!! 🙏🏻
The thing people need to remember is that Eurovision is a chance to see beyond hate and divisions. Whether you support or are against Israels government, the civilians who live there should still be treated with respect and acceptance. Same for countries like Russia too. I think it's important to embrace the joy of Eurovision without bringing political bias into the fold
I actually think that all of the southeast european Countries (Romania,Bulgaria and N. Macedonia) arent competing bc there is a political reasons behind their decison.
Maybe their have Financial struggle to funding the esc but in you really Want someone who represents your Country you have Mandy options to do that, Even with a low Budget!
For me, it's Hungary, when not returning. I loved so many of their songs
Am I the only one who is triggered by Tom's Germany flag heart not being at an angle. It's in every video😂
Urgh I’ve been meaning to fix it. But then that also means that you haven’t noticed another one of the flags has a glitch in it 👀
Urgh Czechia
nope 😂
28/1 allocation draw
saddest about North Macedonia by far - while they didn’t usually get the best results, I usually liked their songs, and I hope they come back soon so I can defend their song only to watch as it once again doesn’t qualify
the quotes i saw really made it look like theyd totally forgotten about it and then brought it up for discussion way too late
@ there was also that one proposed budget that allocated _some_ extra money to ESC compared to last year but not enough to pay for a participation - I think MRT just saw those numbers and then pretended it wouldn’t be a problem and procrastinated making a final call (which honestly, mood)
hahaha no one is out (from last year) but yes velkommen Montenegro!
Is there any realistic chance of Bulgaria coming back or are they just teasing us
yea, if someone offered to pay for it, theyd go
@ We need to start an ESC Fan Fund for Bulgaria maybe a JESC Fan Fund while we are at it. All funds go to Bulgaria (and other countries in Bulgarias situation) so they can go to Eurovision
montenegro to nina zizic😊 its grat song
I think it wouldn't feel right for Israel not participateing due to Kan being privatized, I am worried how them participateing this year will effect the contest.
Also I don't know much about Romanias broadcasters but I now kinda hope Germanys new system might work and maybe will inspire some smaller countries to work out similar systems to maybe enable them to participate.
I don’t think anyone wants to work with TVR
No Vatican City? 👿
I wish
Israel participating will just revive all the problem issues. Let's hope they withdraw quietly.
they wont. the current government are very aware about the soft power of doing well in the televote
If they join, I hope most countries will withdraw and ESC will be cancelled for ever.
I dont want Sweden to win..no again...please
Well they're sending Måns Zelmerlow again I know it's shocking
Why is Israel even allowed full stop!!!!
Me waiting and eating popcorn for Israel's participation and the drama their delegations will cause (and their bullying of competing artists) and the "changes" EBU made to just make no real difference whatsoever.
Would muchmuchmuchmuchmuch rather only having 37 and no israel, as even if somehow you support them you can agree it only makes things worse all around
37 countries supporting a warlord
Didn't israel wanna withdraw in like 2017? Tf happened to that 🤡
That was false reporting, the original ESC broadcaster 'IBA' was shut down and replaced by the new ESC broadcaster 'KAN'
@@sav0001 oh lmao