Respite

AVROTROS will be given extra time to decide on participation in the Eurovision Song Contest next year. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has granted the broadcaster an extension until 1 November, an AVROTROS spokesperson confirmed to ANP.

AVROTROS has been in talks with the EBU for several weeks about the Netherlands’ participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. The broadcaster has previously expressed doubts, partly because of the disqualification of Joost Klein and the unpleasant atmosphere behind the scenes.

The broadcaster still believes that the disqualification of the Dutch participant in Malmö was unnecessary and disproportionate. Klein is the first artist to be excluded from participation while the Song Contest was already underway.

The singer is said to have made a threatening gesture towards a camerawoman. The Swedish judiciary decided to discontinue the investigation into the incident in early August. The judiciary could not establish that Klein had made his “threatening gesture” with the intention of causing the camerawoman “serious fear”.

“The talks are constructive, but still ongoing,” says the spokesperson for AVROTROS about the talks between the broadcaster and the EBU. “To give this constructive dialogue a chance to succeed, AVROTROS has requested a postponement for the decision on participation. The EBU has granted this postponement until 1 November, for which we are grateful.” 

The EBU says it is pleased with the talks. “And we sincerely hope that AVROTROS will participate in Basel in May,” says a spokesperson. 

The original deadline for registration was 15 September. Countries can then withdraw for a period free of charge. Source: nu.nl