:: Eurovision 24 :: Oslo 2010

The Norwegian broadcaster hosting the 2010 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest has adjusted their original estimate on how much the arrangement is going to cost. The revised sum is now estimated at 211 million Norwegian kroner (ca. €24 mill.), when the original sum quoted was closer to 150 million (€17 mill.) that NRK say it cost YLE to host the contest in Helsinki in Finland in 2007. Last year's contest in Moscow cost reportedly $40 mill. (ca €27 mill.) More from ESC Today -

Liechtenstein's only television broadcaster 1FLTV has launched an apply of admission to the EBU. Being a member of the European Broadcasting Union is obligatory to be allowed to take part in the Eurovision Song Contest. The country is ready to have its debut in the competition in the near future. 1FLTV director Peter Kölbel has stated that the negotiations with the EBU are progressing. He also revealed that it might be possible for Liechtenstein to take part in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2010 already. However, this would demand a change of the regulations: the membership will not be confirmed before December although the number of participating countries in the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest has to be definite in November. Kölbel stated that the EBU is therefore considering a change of the regulations, but nothing has been confirmed yet. Source: ESC Today -

During his recent visit to Belarus, Bjorn Erichsen, Director Eurovision TV, told local press that ONT, the broadcaster announced to be taking over the country's Eurovision Song Contest participation from BTRC, do not have the right to do so as they are not officially members of the EBU yet. ONT have applied for membership but their application will be discussed in December whereas country subscriptions for the 2010 contest must be submitted by mid November at the latest. Under the circumstances, the Belarussian call for songs by ONT seems invalid. -

The Eurovision Song Contest Reference Group that met in Oslo on 10th September did discuss Spain's breach of Eurovision Song Contest rules by broadcasting the semi final on a time delay, rendering a televote impossible. It has also concluded it's investigation into whether Azeri broadcaster Ictimai deliberately blocked or distorted the picture to blur out the voting number for Armenia. More from ESC Today

Daniel Jablonski, spokesman at the Polish national broadcaster, TVP, has confirmed that the country will participate at the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest, to be held in May in Oslo (Norway). The details regarding the procedure to select a singer and a song to represent Poland in Oslo have not been disclosed yet. They are due to be released in October. Source: ESC Today -

Although the jury has somewhat returned to the contest, it has not changed Austrias mind as it has now been officially confirmed that Austria will not return to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2010. ORF executive Wolfgang Lorenz stated that high costs are the reason considering that the contest has been "ruined by the regulations". -

It has been announced that the Telenor Group have officially become a Presenting Partner for the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 to be held in Oslo in May next year. The Telenor Group is one of the leading mobile operators in the world and have been granted pan-european association, media and new media rights with the event to be held in Oslo next year. As a result of these sponsorship rights, the Telenor Group is entitled to produce and market the Official Eurovision Song Contest Mobile Phone across all its participating markets. -

Terry Wogan has announced he is to step down as presenter of BBC Radio 2's breakfast show. The 71-year-old told his listeners shortly after Monday's 0800 news bulletin, calling his decision to go "the hardest thing I have ever done". "It touches me deeply that I've played a part in your lives for, it seems, like generations," Terry said. Terry left his job as commentator for the BBC for the Eurovision Song Contest last year. -

In somewhat surprising news, according to media reports, Steve Schmit, manager of RTL Télé Lëtzebuerg, considers Luxembourg's return to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2010. The country has not been taking part in the competition since 1993. Smitt told the website wort.lu that after a very long time, they had a meeting with the EBU and the broadcaster considers submitting an entry in 2010, although any decision has yet to be made. The biggest issue appear to be the expenses considering the small budget of the broadcaster. The final decision has to be taken until December. Luxembourg was one of the seven countries to take part in the first Eurovision Song Contest in 1956. Over the years, the small country won the contest on five occassions and produced international hit songs like Poupée de cire, poupée de son by France Gall (1965) and Après toi by Vicky Leandros (1972), Parlez-vous français by Baccara (1978) and L'amour est bleu (1967). Based on victories, Luxembourg is the seco

It has been reported that Graham Norton is to leave the BBC later this year to return to former broadcasting home, Channel Four. The entertainment front man commentated for the British public at the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest, replacing veteran Terry Wogan. He also hosted the selection show, Your country needs you in January. Graham Norton is set to quit the BBC to return to Channel Four later this year. His lucrative contract ends and he is set to reject a new deal to take over the Paul O'Grady talk show at his former stomping ground. Should he remain at the BBC, he is set to move his talk show from BBC2 to BBC1. Norton is said to be unhappy at the BBC after his latest Saturday Night show Totally Saturday flopped and was later pulled by the BBC. He also hosts the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical reality shows that select lead artists for his stage shows, but with the Lord, who wrote this year's British Eurovision Song Contest entry, now in a battle to end his BBC contract and tak