Credits
Written by
Published
Source(s)
News
Interview with eurovision-spain.com
Svante spells it out... Again!
However, Mr Stockselius also stressed that no official decision would be made by the Reference Group until the deadline for registration had passed, leaving the situation still open for discussion. A lively debate has already started around the topic of possible relegations, with the five-year rule being just one of the options, amongst other strategies such as performance-based relegation - a system employed throughout most of the 1990s.
A new draw process?
Svante was also drawn to talk about the draw process, after the elaborate system which was used for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest draw this year, to the surprise of many fans. "The draw [for the Eurovision Song Contest] won't be like that, at least this year" Svante reassured. But changes are not ruled out; "the Reference Group will make that decision". Urged to talk a little about that Reference Group, Svante explained that of its eight members, three are national producers - currently Finland, Greece and Ukraine - three members are elected by all participating countries, and in addition there is a president of the group, along with the Supervisor of the UER.
Much-improved official site
One big change for 2007 will be the all-new, revamped official website, eurovision.tv, which former esctoday.com Chief Editor Sietse Bakker took a lead on this Summer. About the site, Svante confirmed "I'm convinced we'll have a much improved portal, with new content and a modern design". But for now, the official languages on the site and within the EBU will remain as English and French, disappointing Spanish-speaking fans around the world who are waiting for a Castillian version of the official site.
As Svante pointed out, fans will have to wait for the answers to many of their questions, although with the approach of important deadlines, those doubts should not last much longer. New kids on the block such as last year's debutante Armenia, and the hopeful first-timer the Czech Republic, will be waiting anxiously for the very same answers.
Related polls
Go directly to the reactions
Recent news about Albania
Albania: Final dates set - Olta and Anjeza back? 60
Albania: Anjeza Shahini releases debut album 58
Albania: First country to pick song for ESC again 117
Day 3: Lithuania, Albania and Switerland 62
Netherlands: Radio International interviews eurostars 15
Recent news about Armenia
Boaz, Jelena and Sirusho to record together 17
Armenia: Sirusho to appear at Lemesos in Cyprus 21
Armenia: There will always be a voting imbalance 89
System of a Down for Armenia in 2009? 96
Monika Manucharova from Armenia goes to Limassol 14
Recent news about Austria
Austria : Global Kryner to release Live in Luxembourg 9
Austria: Self-appointed ambassador Alf Poier presents Satsang 19
Austria: No return to Eurovision in 2009 78
Austria & Monaco back in 2009? 67
EDC: Austria selected their dancers 7
Recent news about Belgium
France: Lara Fabian to cover her own favorites 2
Belgium: Katerine to release second album 13
Kate Ryan wins World Music Award 14
Belgium: Kate Ryan to reach gold with the help of a daily 12
Belgium: Kate Ryan’s success story continues 12
Recent news about Bosnia & Herzegovina
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Dino Merlin tours Western Europe 3
Bosnia & Herzegovina: BHRT opens national selection 17
B & H: Laka in Belgrade for a big live concert 4
B & H: Laka wins MTV Best Adria act Award 14
B&H: Laka nominated at MTV Europe Awards! 27
Recent news about Czech Republic
Czech Republic: Tereza Kerndlova releases a new album 15
Czech Republic will be there in 2009 79
Czech Republic: Broadcasting both semi finals 8
Day 7: Czech Republic, Belarus and Latvia 14
Czech Republic: Tereza speaks to esctoday.com 9
Recent news about Denmark
Denmark: national selection will be bigger than expected 8
France: Malene Mortensen live in Paris 12
Denmark: 684 songs submitted for national final 33
Denmark: Olsen Brothers' Respect climbs the charts 18
Denmark: One-day Melodi Grand Prix in 2009 21
Recent news about Estonia
Estonia: New name, new format, new dynamics 23
Estonia: Heidy Purga takes over Eurolaul production 27
Estonia will participate in 2009 Eurovision! 54
Svante to Estonia: Eurovision is a non political event 229
"Latvia shouldn't boycott", says composer 70
Recent news about FYR Macedonia
FYR Macedonia: Plans for 2009 Eurovision selection 27
FYR Macedonia: MRT in search of a new selection method 23
Stars sing in tears for Toše 48
Antonija Šola donates €20,000 prize to monasteries documentary 12
FYR Macedonia: Broadcaster faces uncertain future 157
Recent news about France
France : Natasha St-Pier official godmother 1
France: David supporting possible Eurovision candidates 21
France: OGAE meeting with Eurovision stars 2
France: another part of the 1970 televised final broadcast 4
France : Marie Myriam sings Christmas carols 0
Recent news about Georgia
Georgia wins Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2008 214
Georgia will not participate in Moscow Eurovision 182
Day 4: Georgia, Hungary and Malta 116
Eurostars in Malta video interviews and performances 26
Georgia: 'Peace Will Come' video available 35
Recent news about Germany
OGAE Germany: Annual club meeting with Eurovision stars 1
Germany: Lights out for Texas Lightning 17
Germany: Live show with Eurovision hits and voting 5
Germany: Johnny Logan and Katrina Leskanich in a Big Party 2
Germany: Rosenstolz back with new album 11
Recent news about Greece
Moldova: Sergyo, Natalia Gordienko and the Eurovision 4
Greece: Sakis Rouvas' new album and single 29
Serbia: Zeljko Joksimovic song released in Greece soon 8
Greece: Dimitris Korgialas covers Kwan hit Tainted Love 4
Greece: Anna Vissi to cover Madonna 33
Recent news about Ireland
Ireland: Announcement before the end of the month 27
Ireland: Dana becomes a talent show judge 7
Ireland: "We will participate at Eurovision 2009" 62
Germany: Johnny Logan and Katrina Leskanich in a Big Party 2
Ireland: New TV show for Dustin? 15
Recent news about Israel
Boaz, Jelena and Sirusho to record together 17
Israel: Shiri Maimon takes part in Global One project 4
Israel: Teapacks splitting up 12
Shiri Maimon places third in MTV Europe Music Awards 59
Listen to Shiri Maimon's song at MTV awards 27
Recent news about Lithuania
Lithuania: 4Fun and Walters & Kazha sing together 9
Lithuania: "Lietuvos Dainu Daina" participants announced 15
Lithuania: Changes in national Eurovision selection 39
"Latvia shouldn't boycott", says composer 70
EDC: Karina and Saulius to Glasgow 20
Recent news about Luxembourg
France: Lara Fabian to cover her own favorites 2
OGAE Luxembourg: Eurovision fun and glamour 11
France : Sara Forestier will be France Gall 3
Portugal : Vânia live on Luxembourg's portuguese Radio Station 7
New version of Eurovision winner to premiere at OGAE Lux Gala 6
Recent news about Montenegro
Boaz Mauda, Tamara and MioDio in Budva festival 81
Day 5: Montenegro, Israel and Estonia 33
Day 1: Montenegro, Israel, Estonia and Moldova 73
Montenegro: Stefan Filipovic in Serbia 24
OGAE Montenegro: 12 points to Switzerland 100
Recent news about Norway
Norway: Surferosa and Tone Damli Aaberge in Melodi Grand Prix 15
Norway: First two Melodi Grand Prix names revealed? 19
Norway: Maria Haukaas Storeng will co-host Melodi Grand Prix 16
Norway: Maria's first performance in Grease tonight 0
Norway set to reveal artists 5
Recent news about Portugal
Portugal: Online voting to select finalists 3
Portugal: Open call for songs for 2009 national final 18
"Winning Eurovision is not impossible, but it’s very difficult" 73
Portugal: António Calvário celebrates 70th birthay 3
Portugal : Vânia live on Luxembourg's portuguese Radio Station 7