Eurovision 2023 - BBC

[natashajacobs]

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I assume the EBU covers most the financial cost now - after all the Big 5 is a thing after all. 

No, most of the cost comes locally. The City of Rotterdam funded quite a fair chunk of 2021, Israel's broadcaster only just managed to fund it alone after the government refused to provide funding in 2019.

It's worth remembering that the 'Big 5' are the biggest financial contributors to the EBU not specifically the song contest.

According to the FAQs funding from EBU members comes via a participation fee rather than direct from the EBU, but either way they are the biggest contributors other than the host country.   The EBU stump up $6.2m and the host broadcaster is expected to find $10-$20m, with further funding from the host city.

How is the Eurovision Song Contest financed?
The Eurovision Song Contest is a non-profit event, mostly financed by:

• contributions from the Participating Broadcasters (the so-called participation fee), adding up to €6.2 million combined. This fee is different for each country based on the solidarity principle that the strongest shoulders carry the most weight. It is at the sole discretion of each Participating Broadcaster to decide if they wish to make public the financial details of their participation;
  
• a contribution from the Host Broadcaster, which is generally between €10 and €20 million, depending on local circumstances and available resources.
  
• a contribution from the Host City, either financially or 'in kind' (e.g. covering expenses of city branding, side events, security, etc.);
  
• commercial revenue from sponsorship agreements, ticket sales, televoting and merchandise, which varies from year to year.
  

On average, over 90% of all available funds are being earmarked for the TV production and event organisation. Approximately 5% of available funds represent the budget for the EBU's Eurovision Song Contest team and its partners. Any remaining funds are being reimbursed to the Participating Broadcasters, for as long local legislation allows such reimbursement. The budget is overlooked and approved by the Reference Group, on behalf of all Participating Broadcasters, on an annual basis.

https://eurovision.tv/about/faq

Financially you have to wonder if the Ukrainian broadcaster can afford it (heck, we're all wondering if the BBC can too!) and I would imagine the EBU are probably helping to fund the current sustain service as it is anyway.   Not sure how the Ukrainian PSBs are usually funded but you'd imagine any kind of licence fee or advertising funding has significantly reduced, though governments of course fund their broadcasters during times of war as they are crucial.

Way more than I thought it cost, especially when the host city/authority must be providing venue, security, hospitality etc. all for free as it indicates. I imagine getting crew and kit for the full period of time must be expensive. But still, 20 million?!