Ukrainian private broadcaster STB will no longer will be part of Ukraine’s participation in Eurovision Song Contest in future. This means that STB will no longer organise Vidbir or help fund Ukrainian entries in Eurovision Song Contest.
STB also states that UA:PBC has agreed to take over Vidbir and continue having Ukrainian national selections process.
Agreement between STB and UA:PBC was signed in 2015 and lasted three years before extending next 3 years.
Managing director Lyudmila Semchuk commented the end of both broadcasters partnership:
“The national selection for Eurovision was a very important project for STB and StarLightMedia. To make the national selection the main musical event — this is the goal we set ourselves six years ago, starting a partnership with the public broadcaster, and we clearly adhered to it.This was our contribution to raising the country’s image in the international arena, supporting national talents and the development of the Ukrainian music industry, so it was very important for us to take part in every stage of the country’s preparation and performance at Eurovision.We have achieved many great successes and set a high bar for the national selection. Today we end our participation in the selection of the representative of Ukraine for the song contest. We thank the team, all viewers, the media, artists and partners for making the national selection for Eurovision the main star of Ukrainian television together.”
Natalia Freanchuk who represents STB commented as well:
”In six years, we have discovered a lot of new Ukrainian music, lit up new names, and shown new musical styles. We give the National Selection a high note and wish him to keep this bar. Thanks to the team, Serhiy Prytula, Ruslan Quinta, Kostya Meladze and all the members of the jury for living with this project together with STB.”
One of believes that large motivation that ending the partnership is that Suspline budget has increased over the years which they could afford to fund Go_A performance and staging props at Eurovision 2021 and not being sponsored by STB.
Last time winners of Vidbir was GO_A with song ”Solovey” and meant to represent Ukraine at Eurovision 2020.GO_A represented Ukraine again in Eurovision 2021 with song ”Shum”.
Currently we got 25 countries confirmed in Eurovision 2022 and these are:
Albania
Australia
Belgium
Bulgaria
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Israel
Italy (Host Country)
Lithuania
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Romania
San Marino
Serbia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Ukraine
Eurovision Song Contest 2022 is set take place in May but the dates has not been announced yet
