Spain: FORTA submits application for EBU membership
The Federation of Organisations of the Autonomous Radio and Television (FORTA), has applied for membership of the European Broadcasting Union.
According to Eurovision Spain report, FORTA ( Federación de Organismos de Radio y Televisión Autonómicos -The Federation of Organisations of Autonomous Radio and Television broadcasters) has submitted application in order to pursuit membership of the European Broadcasting Union. FORTA is the representative of public broadcasters from Spanish regions or communities and autonomous cities and has so far a 30 year history.
FORTA’s case resembles that of United Kingdom Independent Broadcasting, which gives the right to ITV, STV, UTV and its associated regional channels to be members of the EBU. Channel 4 and the Welsh language broadcaster S4C have followed the same steps. In case the federation is accepted within the EBU entity as a full member then when the Spanish national broadcaster of RTVE does not take part in Eurovision events the following broadcaster will be able to participate:
- Andalusia – Radio y Televisión de Andalucía
- Aragon – Corporación Aragonesa de Radio y Televisión
- Asturias – Radiotelevisión del Principado de Asturias
- Balearic Islands – Ens Públic de Radiotelevisió de les Illes Balears
- Basque Country – Euskal Irrati Telebista
- Castilla-La Macnha – Radiotelevisión de Castilla–La Mancha
- Catalonia – Corporació Catalana de Mitjans Audiovisuals
- Canary Islands – Radio Televisión Canaria
- Galicia – Corporación de Radio Televisión de Galicia
- Madrid – Radio Televisión Madrid
- Murcia – Radiotelevisión de la Región de Murcia
- Valencian Community – Corporació Valenciana de Mitjans de Comunicació
Among these regional broadcasters Catalan broadcaster has shown in the recent past increased interest in participating in Eurovision contests.
Source: Eurovision Spain
