:: Eurovision 24 :: Oslo 2010

From ESC TODAY .... The Director General of the European Broadcasting Union has issued an official statement regarding the investigation of whether Azeri citizens were questioned by the Ministry of the Interior in Azerbaijan over their decision to vote for Armenia at the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest. Azeri broadcaster Ictimai has also responded to the EBU investigation. The official statement on the EBU website tonight says: The European Broadcasting Union has received responses from Azerbaijan regarding allegations that telephone voters in Azerbaijan who voted for the Armenian song in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest were interrogated by security police. Ictimai, the EBU’s Azeri Member which broadcast this year’s Song Contest from Moscow in May, has confirmed its commitment to free and fair voting. While two individuals had been invited to the Ministry of National Security, Ictimai said, the Ministry of National Security had given assurances that nobody had been questioned, either

Someone has these on Facebook, had to put them here. What an opening to opening to the Eurovision Song Contest of 1996 in Oslo, Norway on May 18th when Morten Harket performed his song "Heaven's Not For Saints". Also included is Eimear Quinn, winner Ireland 1996 singing "Norwegian Wood". -

The Turkish broadcaster responsible for the events in relation to the European Broadcasting Union namely TRT have denied the participation of the Turkish superstar Tarkan at the Eurovision Song Contest. The news comes just days after his participation was "confirmed" by several Turkish newspapers who reported that some sort of pre-agreement which was said to have been formalised after the return of Hadise from Moscow where she reached a credible fourth place. Source: oikotimes.com -

The European Broadcasting Union have said that an investigation is underway regarding the questioning of Azerbaijan residents that voted for Armenia at the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest by the Ministry of the Interior. Media reports claim that the 43 members of the Azeri public that voted for neighbouring Armenia were traced and taken for questioning about their actions. tensions between the two countries remain high after a war fifteen years ago. "The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is aware of the rumours and accusations made in the media and started last week to investigate the matter. The investigation will involve our technical partners and also gives our Member Broadcasters the chance to respond. Until this investigation is completed we cannot comment further on these rumours and accusations," said Svante Stockselius, Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of the EBU. Source: ESCTODAY -

According to Sabah newspaper, Tarkan has agreed with Turkish Radio Televison (TRT) to participate forTurkey in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010. He is reported to have agreed to sign a contract of intention with the national broadcaster this week. According to several leading newspapers in Turkey, today, Tarkan will represent Turkey in 2010 Eurovision Song Contest. Tarkan said that he agreed with TRT last Thursday but still negotiations are ongoing. He added that the contract will be signed this week and next week there will be an official briefing for the media. The Turkish super star also stated that an agreement has been reached withTRT about a music program in the new music channel of TRT. ESCTODAY.COM -

Over ten million televotes were received during the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow, the European Broadcasting Union and its voting partner Digame reveal today. With 8,825,527 calls and text messages received in 2008, this year's Eurovision Song Contest saw an increase of over 20 percent. During the two Semi-Finals and the Final, 6,162,749 text messages came in and 4,517,933 calls were made to cast a vote. During this year's Final alone, over 1,5 million more calls and text messages came in compared to last year. Over the past years, the number of incoming calls has been relatively stable, while the amount of incoming text messages has significantly increased year after year. In just five years, the number of text messages sent out to cast a vote has nearly tripled. Televoting revenues are being distributed back to the participating EBU Member Broadcasters, thereby partly compensating participation fees. Source: EBU. -

A campaign to bring back a live orchestra to the Eurovision Song Contest has been launched through social media website, facebook. More than 3,750 people have already signed up in support of the move. The Eurovision Song Contest has not used an orchestra since the 1998 contest in the United Kingdom. It did use an orchestra for the 50th anniversary show in Denmark in October 2005. With the rapid development of music technology, producers, writers and production methods make backing tracks a better alternative. It also means more space for the stage and audience in the Eurovision Song Contest arena during the shows. With the rapid growth in the number of countries participating at the Eurovision Song Contest, orchestras would need to learn more than 40 songs, as opposed to around 20-25 the last time an orchestra was used at the competition. This makes a return to the use of an orchestra unlikely. Despite this, Jan Fredrik Heyerdahl of the Norwegian Radio Orchestra (KORK), said that they

The popular Irish website was re-launched today at www.allkindsofeverything.ie ready for the Eurovision 2010 contest. They have also launched a Twitter feed aswell -