Should RTE withdraw from Eurovision 2016 ?

Orange Pants

I think they should for cost reasons, also there has been a noticeable decline of interest in the Eurovision amongst the general public the past 2 or 3 years.

lertsnim

How much does it cost them? How much would it cost to replace the Eurovision with 3 or so hours of prime time Saturday evening programming?

Orange Pants

lertsnim wrote: »

How much does it cost them? How much would it cost to replace the Eurovision with 3 or so hours of prime time Saturday evening programming?

Last I heard it costs about 250k to send an act there. They could still broadcast the contest and have Marty do the commentary but from Dublin

Elmo

Orange Pants wrote: »

Last I heard it costs about 250k to send an act there. They could still broadcast the contest and have Marty do the commentary but from Dublin

I think it is a small issue to really be worth changing there are so many other problems with RTE (and Irish TV in general) that have to be fixed.

Last years Eurovision had 318,000 Adult viewers, The average of the two semis had 224,000 adult viewers (15+)

And it boost the Late Late Show figures with 686,000 viewer watching in 2013.

But it does need to be taken away from TLLS.

Orange Pants

Elmo wrote: »

I think it is a small issue to really be worth changing there are so many other problems with RTE (and Irish TV in general) that have to be fixed.

Last years Eurovision had 318,000 Adult viewers, The average of the two semis had 224,000 adult viewers (15+)

And it boost the Late Late Show figures with 686,000 viewer watching in 2013.

But it does need to be taken away from TLLS.

Very poor ratings for the semi finals, 10 years ago it was getting 700k viewers.

Elmo

Orange Pants wrote: »

Very poor ratings for the semi finals, 10 years ago it was getting 700k viewers.

Average over 2 nights not sure how well it did when the Irish entry was part of the semi-final.

RTE prob have to consider the 250,000 they spend. Though relatively cheap for 9 hours of TV.

Harry Palmr

I think RTE are old fashioned enough to think the Eurosong is a matter of prestige

Sam Russell

Elmo wrote: »

Average over 2 nights not sure how well it did when the Irish entry was part of the semi-final.

RTE prob have to consider the 250,000 they spend. Though relatively cheap for 9 hours of TV.

The only benefit for sending an entry is to boost the viewership, and that will only work if they get through to the final. They get to show the nine hours either way as they are members of the EBU.

Strazdas

Elmo wrote: »

I think it is a small issue to really be worth changing there are so many other problems with RTE (and Irish TV in general) that have to be fixed.

Last years Eurovision had 318,000 Adult viewers, The average of the two semis had 224,000 adult viewers (15+)

And it boost the Late Late Show figures with 686,000 viewer watching in 2013.

But it does need to be taken away from TLLS.

There is a large drop off in viewing figures in any country that fails to qualify for the final.

They definitely need to remove it from the Late Late Show and have it as a standalone national final in a different venue. The LLS format has just delivered four bad results in a row including non qualification for two years running (that's one of the worst records of any country in Europe : I think only a tiny number of nations failed to qualify in both 2014 'and' 2015).

Elmo

Strazdas wrote: »

There is a large drop off in viewing figures in any country that fails to qualify for the final.

They definitely need to remove it from the Late Late Show and have it as a standalone national final in a different venue. The LLS format has just delivered four bad results in a row including non qualification for two years running (that's one of the worst records of any country in Europe : I think only a tiny number of nations failed to qualify in both 2014 'and' 2015).

Yeah they should adopted TG4's way of selecting the JESC contestant. Though we only reached 12 place out of 17. But maybe make an event of it, TG4's comps need a refresh, produced for Adare for RTE for TG4 BTW.

MarkK

As a public service broadcaster, it's not just about the number of viewers, some of us really enjoy it.

Strazdas wrote: »

The LLS format has just delivered four bad results in a row ...

I don't know about that.
Linda Martin vs Billy McGuinness was TV gold

Strazdas

Elmo wrote: »

Yeah they should adopted TG4's way of selecting the JESC contestant. Though we only reached 12 place out of 17. But maybe make an event of it, TG4's comps need a refresh, produced for Adare for RTE for TG4 BTW.

It's not clear what the format will be next year but if it's the same old story again and yet another bad result, then all those involved need to walk away from Eurovision for good and let someone else organise the picking of the entry.

The TG4 way of doing it was very interesting and the standard of songs was very good overall.

Mr Sea Wolf

At least we don't have to go through the late late show nonsense this year.

I wear socks

They should have. What were the ratings this year ?

Elmo

We won't know until next week.

AwaitYourReply

I was one of those who used always enjoy the Eurovision Song Contest each year but I've fallen out of love at the way it is now run.

RTÉ, on behalf of Ireland and as a long time member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) had built up a great deal of valuable experience in staging a number of past finals but it's stance in recent years seems to have been a case of just fulfilling their basic requirements of selecting an entry and sending them to represent Ireland in the semi-finals. Since around 2000, countries like Ireland are required to first qualify in a semi-final unlike France, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom and Italy who are guaranteed with automatic qualification to the Eurovision Final on the Saturday evening.

That said, I have NOT admired the way RTÉ has messed around with what used to be called: The National Song Contest, Euro-Song etc; to presenting various acts on The Late Late Show and then just no contest to choose Ireland's entry - it's just going to be a free plug for Nicky Byrne to launch his own solo singing career as his National Lottery Show gig had not worked out in the end. Incidentally, Marty Whelan got his regular TV commentary gig and Sinéad stepped in for Nicky Byrne to confirm the results of the Irish jury this year.

I'm not sure if it has really been a "Song Contest" for many years and the widest of geographic expansions over the years which has meant that countries such as: Israel, Azerbaijan, Russia, Australia etc; would suggest this event will do anything to generate more & more commercial revenue even if it means allowing countries that are on the outer fringes of Europe or even completely outside Europe altogether in some cases are allowed to enter the competition. I understand that the event was televised in the USA last night for the first time so; perhaps USA will enter Eurovision in years to come if Australia is anything to go by.

Turkey withdrew from the Eurovision a numbers of years ago when they saw that it was developing into a very different event and that there was no longer the same equality across all participating nations. RTÉ, on behalf of Ireland should have joined Turkey at that time and it should have publicly criticised the inequality between some of the Bigger Vs Smaller nations within the competition in recent years. Right now, I'm not sure if Ireland could ever expect to win the competition again or even be in with a chance whether or not we had a heavyweight song & performer in the future as the odds are stacked against us in the current scheme. I just cannot see another Dana, Johnny Logan, Linda Martin, Niamh Kavanagh etc; having a similar chance.

We do not seem to be understood or even appreciated any more in this current bigger Europe despite various Irish governments being very pro-active in terms of ensuring that there was an open door policy on migrants coming in from Eastern Europe (which was often criticised too, I might add) since day one unlike some of the other EU states.

RTÉ has absolutely no balls despite our nation winning the most number of contests for a record X 7 times in it's history so; they must have some clout and respect! RTÉ may be just one single EBU member but it seems that our national public service broadcaster is just not willing to upset Eurovision by expressing anything negative or remotely controversial in case it causes some offence in certain quarters like in one of the bigger nation EBU members such as the BBC etc; However; what RTÉ fails to realise is that the BBC no longer has the deep pockets it once had as they are now being forced into massive cutbacks due to changes in British Government policy on who ultimately funds the TV Licence Fee for the Over-75's. Answer = The BBC itself! The Beeb is not finished with all it's cutbacks yet but some examples include the recent closing of BBC three on TV (now BBC II!) less UK news output on the BBC News channel etc;

Sam Russell

It ceased to be a song contest when they got rid of the orchestra and replaced it with a backing track. Next they will allow the lip-synch dancers to 'perform'.

It is twenty years since we won.

Elmo

One of the major issues about Broadcast TV was and is the idea of Quantity over quantity. I would say that BBC, ITV and Channel all fell into this problem with their extra channels. The Extra channels should just be that with some small amount of original programming that can be repeat on the main channel. This has changed in the last few years with BBC, ITV and Channel 4 all investing in major dramas.

Audience for Eurovision on RTE

RTE2 Semi-Final 2 - 296,000 adult viewers
RTE ONE final - 267,000 adult viewers
RTE2 Semi-Final 1 - 130,000 adult viewers

IMO each county (all 32) should have a county final follow by a major show. Involving all of the regional radio stations.
The regional finals could air each night over the course of March and April with 5 songs each.
TG4/RnaG should enter an Irish Language song.
33 song final.
Then no one could blame RTE.

Winning county hosts next years final. 50:50 split tele-voting and jury.

Elmo

Also on presenting the votes on the night.

RTE used to change the presenter each year AFAIK up until Nicky Byrne started doing it, Last year Panti presented the votes so Sinead didn't take over from Nicky AFAIK.

Pat Kenny having presented the Eurovision in 1988 became the commentator up until he took over from Gay Byrne on the Late Late Show. During which time You're a Star selected the entry for 3 years followed by the Late Late taking over the EuroSong/National Song Contest due to Pat's association with the show.

Marty Whelan took over from Pat Kenny when Pat took on the Late Late Show.

Ray D'Arcy hosted the last National Song Contest, when Dustin went on to rep Ireland.

I wear socks

It had the lowest ratings ever this year.

Sam Russell

I wear socks wrote: »

It had the lowest ratings ever this year.

And the lowest number of votes = none.

AwaitYourReply

Sam Russell wrote: »

It ceased to be a song contest when they got rid of the orchestra and replaced it with a backing track. Next they will allow the lip-synch dancers to 'perform'.

It is twenty years since we won.

The removal of the live orchestra element was also a bone of contention for me at the time. For many years, the national public broadcasting service of the host country charged with presenting that year's Eurovision Song Contest always had their concert orchestra present to add to the occasion. The recorded backing track is a bit like "Stars In Their Eyes" or the X-Factor/Britain's Got Talent formula we have become accustomed to from Simon Cowell/Syco etc;

The fact that we have not won since 1996 and the huge changes that have since taken place would suggest that we may never win this contest ever again or even come anywhere close as the odds are stacked against us.

AwaitYourReply

Elmo wrote: »

One of the major issues about Broadcast TV was and is the idea of Quantity over quantity. I would say that BBC, ITV and Channel all fell into this problem with their extra channels. The Extra channels should just be that with some small amount of original programming that can be repeat on the main channel. This has changed in the last few years with BBC, ITV and Channel 4 all investing in major dramas.

Audience for Eurovision on RTE

RTE2 Semi-Final 2 - 296,000 adult viewers
RTE ONE final - 267,000 adult viewers
RTE2 Semi-Final 1 - 130,000 adult viewers

IMO each county (all 32) should have a county final follow by a major show. Involving all of the regional radio stations.
The regional finals could air each night over the course of March and April with 5 songs each.
TG4/RnaG should enter an Irish Language song.
33 song final.
Then no one could blame RTE.

Winning county hosts next years final. 50:50 split tele-voting and jury.

There is some merit in your proposal in terms of song entries chosen and competing in a domestic national final. My only concern is that even if we had a very strong entry to emerge from a National Contest in Ireland, I still think that it will have an uphill battle to reach critical acclaim or gain sufficient traction at Eurovision these days.

RTÉ deserve much credit for the very high standards they set and maintained right up to 1996/1997 period. Sadly, RTÉ have just not strived hard enough to stand up for Ireland since that period. I am a realist and accept that RTÉ just can no longer afford to host Eurovision as they would have to foot the large bill in staging this huge event however; I cannot understand why successive Irish governments have not made it abundantly clear to RTÉ that although; the organisation must reign in it's overall costs and not run up unnecessary debts across the board - the Irish Department of Tourism will always look very favourably towards the idea of funding Eurovision if and when it is staged by Ireland on the sole condition that they can showcase Ireland as a must see Tourist destination during various national postcards prior to each country's individual song performance and as a key element during the interval act.

However; RTÉ must first join Turkey (the country, not Dustin!) by boycotting all future Eurovision Song Contest event finals and this needs to go right back to basics as it has become hijacked by too many corporate interests in letting all and sundry participate even if they are nations not really based in what most people consider Europe. We also need a return to a more level playing field amongst all participating nations be they small, medium or large to give every country an equal chance of success every now and again. I do not think we would win right now even if we had a winning song/performance and I'm not convinced in the whole complex voting system either.

Those very low audience TV viewing figures must be the lowest ever for the main Saturday night finals on RTÉ One here in Ireland!

Strazdas

Elmo wrote: »

One of the major issues about Broadcast TV was and is the idea of Quantity over quantity. I would say that BBC, ITV and Channel all fell into this problem with their extra channels. The Extra channels should just be that with some small amount of original programming that can be repeat on the main channel. This has changed in the last few years with BBC, ITV and Channel 4 all investing in major dramas.

Audience for Eurovision on RTE

RTE2 Semi-Final 2 - 296,000 adult viewers
RTE ONE final - 267,000 adult viewers
RTE2 Semi-Final 1 - 130,000 adult viewers

IMO each county (all 32) should have a county final follow by a major show. Involving all of the regional radio stations.
The regional finals could air each night over the course of March and April with 5 songs each.
TG4/RnaG should enter an Irish Language song.
33 song final.
Then no one could blame RTE.

Winning county hosts next years final. 50:50 split tele-voting and jury.

Are those this year's figures?? They are absolutely disastrous if true and show that RTE made a monumental mistake in picking Byrne (ie. zero interest or engagement from the public with the Irish entry and the song flopped in the charts).

They need to have a radical revamp of the national final next year to reignite public interest or else risk killing off Eurovision for good in Ireland.

Sam Russell

Strazdas wrote: »

They need to have a radical revamp of the national final next year to reignite public interest or else risk killing off Eurovision for good in Ireland.

Dustin, and Jedward did that already. But do we care?

STB.

Strazdas wrote: »

Are those this year's figures?? They are absolutely disastrous if true and show that RTE made a monumental mistake in picking Byrne (ie. zero interest or engagement from the public with the Irish entry and the song flopped in the charts).

They need to have a radical revamp of the national final next year to reignite public interest or else risk killing off Eurovision for good in Ireland.

"anyone would think you'd want Ireland to lose the Eurovision"



Its no longer a song contest, its about politics.

BoJack Horseman

Anyone know how much RTE pay into the EBU or into the contest specifically?

Strazdas

Sam Russell wrote: »

Dustin, and Jedward did that already. But do we care?

Jedward were a hit, had huge TV ratings and had the biggest commercial success in the European charts of any entry that year.

The repeated non qualifications are clearly hitting Eurovision's image and credibility in Ireland. Ratings are dropping and the audience are becoming more hostile to the contest. It would be a real shame if RTE's utter incompetence in selecting an entry every year effectively killed off Eurovision here.

Strazdas

BoJack Horseman wrote: »

Anyone know how much RTE pay into the EBU or into the contest specifically?

Yes, the entry fee is in and around €60,000.

Many would say that is a bargain though, they get around eight hours of live TV for it during that week.

BoJack Horseman

Strazdas wrote: »

Yes, the entry fee is in and around €60,000.

Many would say that is a bargain though, they get around eight hours of live TV for it during that week.

Indeed!

I thought it would be much higher.

So, it's just Marty in front of a microphone & that's it.

More money would be spent in Montrose on Colombian pure in a month than that entrance fee.

AwaitYourReply

Strazdas wrote: »

Yes, the entry fee is in and around €60,000.

Many would say that is a bargain though, they get around eight hours of live TV for it during that week.

I'm not sure if it is entirely accurate to suggest that RTÉ gets around eight hours of live TV content during Eurovision week by linking it solely to the €60,000 entry fee payment referenced.

I've also seen a €250,000 figure referenced somewhere in relation to Ireland and the Eurovision which may or may not include the €60,000 entry fee which leaves me wondering about the following:

What is the Total Overall Cost paid directly & indirectly by RTÉ each year?

Does it currently represent excellent value for money taking into account all of the TV viewer ratings breakdown for each of the broadcasts carried?

Have all the radical changes to the Eurovision competition rules such as the removal of Ireland's automatic right to qualification introduced some years ago gone down positively with the audience here in Ireland?

Would the Irish TV Licence Fee payer welcome a return to Ireland having automatic entry again to the Saturday Night Final just like the 5 big nations currently enjoy?

Have changes to the whole voting system to include SMS text entries meant that smaller nations like Ireland will find it more difficult to ever win again?

Is the Eurovision still upholding the core values of the founding competition or has it become too much of a commercial venture determined to generate revenue by some of the following elements:

Too willing to admit countries even from the far outer fringes of Europe and even beyond if you consider Israel, Azerbaijan, Australia to name but a few. In the case of Australia which is situated in the Asia-Pacific region they were allowed to return again in 2016 and who knows if the USA will seek to follow suit after it televised the event for the first time in 2016.

Introducing commercial breaks into the format - disrupts the flow and atmosphere and encourages the TV viewing public to switch channel or go off and do something else.

Right now, I do not think Nicky Byrne deserved to win as it happens. But let's say for argument that we did have an amazing song/performance act to represent Ireland at Eurovision, I still do not believe that anyone here would qualify and even if they managed to get through to finals night, they would have little hope in finishing in the top three due to the way this competition has developed. I fear that Eurovision as a competition has surrendered it's values and it's been allowed to evolve into a very big commercial entity.

Italy had stayed away from the Eurovision for quite some time but when they eventually returned this country was guaranteed qualification to the finals as an incentive for returning to the competition after a number of years of not participating at all.

RTÉ on behalf of Ireland should join Turkey and boycott Eurovision as it is time to register our opposition to what Eurovision has become. Then in a few years time, they may offer Ireland an olive branch (We only went and won a record X 7 times the most by any country in the history of the competition).

Strazdas

AwaitYourReply wrote: »

I'm not sure if it is entirely accurate to suggest that RTÉ gets around eight hours of live TV content during Eurovision week by linking it solely to the €60,000 entry fee payment referenced.

I've also seen a €250,000 figure referenced somewhere in relation to Ireland and the Eurovision which may or may not include the €60,000 entry fee which leaves me wondering about the following:

What is the Total Overall Cost paid directly & indirectly by RTÉ each year?

Does it currently represent excellent value for money taking into account all of the TV viewer ratings breakdown for each of the broadcasts carried?

Have all the radical changes to the Eurovision competition rules such as the removal of Ireland's automatic right to qualification introduced some years ago gone down positively with the audience here in Ireland?

Would the Irish TV Licence Fee payer welcome a return to Ireland having automatic entry again to the Saturday Night Final just like the 5 big nations currently enjoy?

Have changes to the whole voting system to include SMS text entries meant that smaller nations like Ireland will find it more difficult to ever win again?

Is the Eurovision still upholding the core values of the founding competition or has it become too much of a commercial venture determined to generate revenue by some of the following elements:

Too willing to admit countries even from the far outer fringes of Europe and even beyond if you consider Israel, Azerbaijan, Australia to name but a few. In the case of Australia which is situated in the Asia-Pacific region they were allowed to return again in 2016 and who knows if the USA will seek to follow suit after it televised the event for the first time in 2016.

Introducing commercial breaks into the format - disrupts the flow and atmosphere and encourages the TV viewing public to switch channel or go off and do something else.

Right now, I do not think Nicky Byrne deserved to win as it happens. But let's say for argument that we did have an amazing song/performance act to represent Ireland at Eurovision, I still do not believe that anyone here would qualify and even if they managed to get through to finals night, they would have little hope in finishing in the top three due to the way this competition has developed. I fear that Eurovision as a competition has surrendered it's values and it's been allowed to evolve into a very big commercial entity.

Italy had stayed away from the Eurovision for quite some time but when they eventually returned this country was guaranteed qualification to the finals as an incentive for returning to the competition after a number of years of not participating at all.

RTÉ on behalf of Ireland should join Turkey and boycott Eurovision as it is time to register our opposition to what Eurovision has become. Then in a few years time, they may offer Ireland an olive branch (We only went and won a record X 7 times the most by any country in the history of the competition).

The full figure is up and around 160-180,000 Euros but that includes the costs of the Eurosong competition (which wasn't used this year) and the travelling costs and staging in the actual Eurovision.

Withdrawing because you're not happy with your results would be seen by most other countries as just throwing the toys out of the pram. Returning with a stronger singer and song the following year would be the simple solution.

Sam Russell

Strazdas wrote: »

The full figure is up and around 160-180,000 Euros but that includes the costs of the Eurosong competition (which wasn't used this year) and the travelling costs and staging in the actual Eurovision.

Withdrawing because you're not happy with your results would be seen by most other countries as just throwing the toys out of the pram. Returning with a stronger singer and song the following year would be the simple solution.

A stronger singer and song - now there's the rub.

AwaitYourReply

Strazdas wrote: »

The full figure is up and around 160-180,000 Euros but that includes the costs of the Eurosong competition (which wasn't used this year) and the travelling costs and staging in the actual Eurovision.

Withdrawing because you're not happy with your results would be seen by most other countries as just throwing the toys out of the pram. Returning with a stronger singer and song the following year would be the simple solution.

If I came across as being upset because of how we finished in 2016 only, then perhaps you would have a fair point. But it is not just about 2016 for me at all.

This has been a gradual trend for quite some time now.
We did not win since 1996 - which is now 20 Years ago.
Are we just no longer nurturing talented songwriters and performers?
Somehow I think it is much deeper than that.

Take Nicky Byrne this year, a member of a major successful pop act in Westlife who cannot even get through the qualification stages then "Houston we have a problem" as someone like him would tend to have had a lot more public profile beyond these shores amongst a certain age demographic unlike say a new emerging Irish artist who would have more of a battle to face in showcasing their presence on a big intimidating stage watched by millions. We have tried sending Dustin, Jedward twice and Nicky Byrne but for some reason Ireland cannot do as well in the current format. Yet you could have something obscure winning 1st place from some countries.

All I am saying is that this we are not going to enjoy a similar chance of success these days as the competition has radically changed and I would like to think that if and when we do have a strong song and decent performance ever again up on stage at Eurovision, then I would hope we would have a good chance but I think we are at a huge disadvantage and I think the low audience figures here may be due to an Irish audience losing all faith in the whole direction and spirit of the way Eurovision has drifted in more recent times.

IMO Nicky would not have been a 1st place winner this year as the song itself was only average and catchy at best, but I often wonder how Ireland and all those countries who end up relegated in a given year would otherwise have finished in the placings if they had been all allowed to participate on the Saturday night final which used always been the case some years back. The only reason they had to introduce the semi-final qualifications stage was because they kept accepted more & more countries entering the competition which was fine if it was a country regarded as being physically in Europe.

Right now, I think Eurovision is far too big and is no longer all just about Europe which should be it's raison d'etre but once they started including countries as far away as: Russia, Australia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Israel etc; as well it becomes something other than that. Where do we stop as it seems to have become more of a global competition and may so they may as well change the name and every core value altogether.
That to me, is a pity.

AwaitYourReply

Sam Russell wrote: »

A stronger singer and song - now there's the rub.

Of course, you can have some ghastly entries that end up as Winner and for me "Lordy" comes to mind. For me, it was daft and almost funny at the same and probably comes up a lot in terms of Pub Quiz trivia. How was Lordy allowed to even qualify from it's own national qualification process anyway!

Elmo

I think you have to take RTE overall membership of the EBU. It provides them with more than just the Eurovision. It has in the past been helpful to RTE when it comes to sporting rights and also some news footage, I as far as I know each of the members provided footage to each other for use on their services.

lertsnim

AwaitYourReply wrote: »

Of course, you can have some ghastly entries that end up as Winner and for me "Lordy" comes to mind. For me, it was daft and almost funny at the same and probably comes up a lot in terms of Pub Quiz trivia. How was Lordy allowed to even qualify from it's own national qualification process anyway!

Ghastly entry? Oh please. You are coming across as a bit of a musical snob.

mansize

42 countries.

I enjoy it. We just need to make more of an effort than send a backing dancer (sitter) from a defunct boyband

Red Kev

We need a good song and singer; it's as simple as that.

It has nothing to do with politics, certainly now that the jury vote is involved as well there's no reason to blame "bloc voting". Put up a good, catchy song like Lena in 2011 or Alexander Rybak in 2010 and you have a winner, or damn near it providing you aren't usurped by a Lordi or Conchita Wurst effort. Last years song was good, but probably won on the simple but highly effective visual effects and not a wolf, burning piano or trapeze in sight.

Some people have said that there's too many countries involved that aren't "European", well it's not about being European, it's about being a member of the EBU, an organisation which is a lot more than just the Eurovision. So instead of complaining about it we just ave to deal with it.

If it's a case that RTE don't want the gig due to budgetary issues (and it looks like they don't want it) then the government needs to accept that it's a 3 hour free advertisement to Europe, and they should guarantee a certain budget and personnel to cover the costs of it. Either way, RTE need to get the finger out and start to show the competition some effort and respect.

KingBrian2

The public still like to watch it so no keep it on air.

An Tarbh

Elmo wrote: »

Also on presenting the votes on the night.

RTE used to change the presenter each year AFAIK up until Nicky Byrne started doing it, Last year Panti presented the votes so Sinead didn't take over from Nicky AFAIK.

No Nicky Byrne definitely presented the votes last year, sadly it wasn't Panti, last year or this.

AwaitYourReply

KingBrian2 wrote: »

The public still like to watch it so no keep it on air.

I don't believe we would have had viewing figures for Eurovision anywhere near as low as this back in the 80s/90s.

AwaitYourReply

An Tarbh wrote: »

No Nicky Byrne definitely presented the votes last year, sadly it wasn't Panti, last year or this.

This is what I seem to recall alright.
Panti was getting quite a lot of TV press from the Same Sex Referendum held 12 months ago so; maybe that's how this was mentioned.

AwaitYourReply

Red Kev wrote: »

We need a good song and singer; it's as simple as that.

It has nothing to do with politics, certainly now that the jury vote is involved as well there's no reason to blame "bloc voting". Put up a good, catchy song like Lena in 2011 or Alexander Rybak in 2010 and you have a winner, or damn near it providing you aren't usurped by a Lordi or Conchita Wurst effort. Last years song was good, but probably won on the simple but highly effective visual effects and not a wolf, burning piano or trapeze in sight.

Some people have said that there's too many countries involved that aren't "European", well it's not about being European, it's about being a member of the EBU, an organisation which is a lot more than just the Eurovision. So instead of complaining about it we just ave to deal with it.

If it's a case that RTE don't want the gig due to budgetary issues (and it looks like they don't want it) then the government needs to accept that it's a 3 hour free advertisement to Europe, and they should guarantee a certain budget and personnel to cover the costs of it. Either way, RTE need to get the finger out and start to show the competition some effort and respect.

Well RTÉ have no real cause for worry about the hosting costs as Ireland does not have a strong prospect in the current scheme. I hear what you are saying about the wider EBU but one wonders how some countries particularly Australia across the other side of the world can gain entry to the European Broadcasting Union because allowing countries outside into the EBU seems pointless if it is intended for European broadcasters.

It's a bit like Australia or Japan joining the EU but you know what nothing would surprise me on that either if it was to happen and then afterwards, people wonder why the institution has radically diluted it's core values and founding principals while still being called the old institution name.

AwaitYourReply

mansize wrote: »

42 countries.

I enjoy it. We just need to make more of an effort than send a backing dancer (sitter) from a defunct boyband

Leaving aside Nicky Byrne, it's a bit more than just the Westlife backing singer this year...There have been a few reasonable efforts (not too many mind you, but a few) - Nothing to show for it since way back in 1996 is hardly all down to this year's entry though to be fair.

AwaitYourReply

lertsnim wrote: »

Ghastly entry? Oh please. You are coming across as a bit of a musical snob.

Looking back at just some of the media coverage after they had won and I think you will find it was highly unlikely. People into their style of music did not typically stay in and watch the Eurovision Song Contest to be fair.

Some media coverage after Lordi won back in 2006:

http://warp.povusers.org/lordi.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4998186.stm

http://www.spin.com/2006/05/unlikely-band-wins-eurovision-song-contest/

mansize

AwaitYourReply wrote: »

Leaving aside Nicky Byrne, it's a bit more than just the Westlife backing singer this year...There have been a few reasonable efforts (not too many mind you, but a few) - Nothing to show for it since way back in 1996 is hardly all down to this year's entry though to be fair.

France haven't won since 1977!

Sam Russell

mansize wrote: »

France haven't won since 1977!

But they insist on singing in French.

patrickmooney

Sam Russell wrote: »

But they insist on singing in French.

With an English chorus (this year).

An Tarbh

Sam Russell wrote: »

But they insist on singing in French.

They've had English songs before.

Sam Russell

An Tarbh wrote: »

They've had English songs before.

We are talking 39 years since they last won, so maybe they are getting desperate (as we are) and now trying anything.