September 15th has come and gone. That was the date for broadcasters to notify to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) if they wish to participate in the 68th Eurovision Song Contest next May in Malmö, Sweden.
So what do we know?
While the EBU knows the final number of participating countries, the announcment each year tends to get released via their official social media channels sometime in November. Broadcasters are not obliged to announce once they have applied, although often many do.
To that end, as of right now, we have heard public confirmations from the following 33 countries‘ broadcasters:
- Albania 🇦🇱
- Austria 🇦🇹
- Azerbaijan 🇦🇿
- Belgium 🇧🇪
- Croatia 🇭🇷
- Cyprus 🇨🇾
- Denmark 🇩🇰
- Estonia 🇪🇪
- Finland 🇫🇮
- France 🇫🇷
- Georgia 🇬🇪
- Germany 🇩🇪
- Greece 🇬🇷
- Iceland 🇮🇸
- Ireland 🇮🇪
- Israel 🇮🇱
- Italy 🇮🇹
- Latvia 🇱🇻
- Lithuania 🇱🇹
- Luxembourg 🇱🇺
- Malta 🇲🇹
- Moldova 🇲🇩
- Netherlands 🇳🇱
- Norway 🇳🇴
- Portugal 🇵🇹
- San Marino 🇸🇲
- Serbia 🇷🇸
- Slovenia 🇸🇮
- Spain 🇪🇸
- Sweden 🇸🇪 (host)
- Switzerland 🇨🇭
- Ukraine 🇺🇦
- United Kingdom 🇬🇧
Who haven’t we heard from yet?
| Armenia 🇦🇲 | AMPTV has not commented on participation in Malmö. |
| Australia 🇦🇺 | Could the Aussies just be building suspense? Australia signed on to Eurovision until 2023. Has the contract been renewed, and does SBS want to come back? We’ll find out soon! |
| Bulgaria 🇧🇬 | Signs point to Bulgaria sitting out for a second consecutive year, but no announcement has been made. |
| Czechia 🇨🇿 | Often among the last countries to confirm participation, ČT has to balance small viewing figures with its decent results in the last few years. |
| Hungary 🇭🇺 | Last participated in 2019 and is unlikely to return in 2024, though nothing has been announced. |
| Montenegro 🇲🇪 | RTCG seem eager to return in 2024. Montenegro broadcast the 2023 Contest, but did not take part due to financial constraints. |
| North Macedonia 🇲🇰 | MRT’s budget hints at a return after a one-year break. Nothing official has been announced yet. |
| Poland 🇵🇱 | While nothing has been confirmed, Poland seems sure to soon publicly confirm. There have been whispers of an internal selection for 2024. |
| Romania 🇷🇴 | Romania’s return is pending budget approval at TVR. |
| Turkey 🇹🇷 | Last participated in 2012 and is unlikely to return in 2024, though nothing has been announced. |
Who won’t be back?
| Belarus | Currently banned from participating. |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina 🇧🇦 | BHRT has already confirmed the country will not return in 2024. |
| Monaco 🇲🇨 | With a new Monegasque broadcaster operating, there were hopes the micronation would rejoin the Eurovision family, but ESCToday has confirmed Monaco will not return in Malmö. |
| Russia | Currently banned from participating. |
| Slovakia 🇸🇰 | Looking to return in 2025, pending funding. |
Last minute drama
As the deadline loomed on 15th September, some countries made announcements or had information leaked. Broadcasters still have until 13th October to solidify their participation and for payment of fees.
Croatia confirmed their participation today via national broadcaster HRT who also confirmed another year of the selection show Dora.
Estonia formally opened submissions today for another series of Eesti Laul, the show that will choose the Estonian act for Malmö.
Georgia intends to make its 16th Contest appearance in Malmö. Broadcaster GPB confirmed today that it will send an artist to Malmö, but no details were released about how they will be chosen.
Greece made its intention to participate in Malmö known today. This comes as no surprise after their formal complaint to the EBU over Cyprus’ planned Eurovision selection format earlier this summer.
North Macedonia‘s broadcaster’s budget has been released, and allocates 1.5 million denar (€24,345) towards Eurovision. Pending approval, North Macedonia should return to the Contest this May.
Slovenia intends to take part in Malmö according to Evrovizija.com’s sources that say broadcaster RTVSLO will compete in 2024.
Who are you most looking forward to seeing in Malmö? How many countries will we see in May? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
