Ukraine: UA:PBC’s termination of analogue broadcast raises EBU’s worries
Worries and strong concerns has caused to EBU UA:PBC’s termination of its analogue broadcast throughout the country due to its debts.
UA:PBC has been forced to cut off its analogue broadcast due to its stiff debt and lack of government funding.The Ukrainian broadcaster’s analogue transmission has been suspended as of Tuesday 25 September.
The state-owned Broadcasting, Telecommunications and Television Company of Ukraine cut-off analogue distribution of UA:PBC across the majority of the country due to the broadcaster’s debts.
The EBU has been leading calls to secure appropriate funding for UA:PBC in line with Ukrainian law and European standards. This year the broadcaster, which already has one of the smallest budgets in Europe, only received around half the budget defined by national law.
In its press release the EBU stated:
It is critical that citizens have access to independent, pluralistic news and information. This is especially important in the run up to next year’s Presidential and Parliamentary elections in Ukraine.
Mr. Noel Curran (EBU Director) says:
We are dismayed that the authorities have taken the decision to deprive the Ukrainian people of this important public service.
We urge the authorities to restore transmissions immediately and allocate the necessary funding to allow public service media to fulfil its critical role to society and to democracy in Ukraine.
The funding problems were known from early this year. The country had initially announced to withdraw from Junior Eurovision during the summer due to these issues but at last minute got back on the train.
Is Eurovision 2019 participation in jeopardy?
Just a couple a days before the country confimed its participation in in Tel Aviv. A total break down of the Ukrainian broadcaster will of course affect an Eurovision participation. However EBU officials and UA:PBC’s administrative team are looking on the issue so as one of the most successful countries in the contest doesn’t face any further complications.
THE EUROVISION STORY SO FAR
Ukraine debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2003 with Oleksandr Ponormayov‘s Hasta la vista, and has won the competition twice in 2004 (Ruslana) and 2016 (Jamala). The country has hosted the contest twice in its majestic capital Kyiv in 2005 and 2017.
Ukraine is one of the most successful countries in the Eurovision Song Contest and has so far not missed out competing in the Grand Final while has been abcent only the 2015 edition. The country has made it 9 times in the top 10 during its 15 years of ESC participations, including 2 victories ( 2004, 2016), 2 2nd placings (2007, 2008), 1 3rd placing (2013) and 4th placing (2011).
In 2018 Ukraine was represented by Vidbir 2018 winner, Melovin with his entry Under the ladder, achieving a 17th place in the Grand Final.
