TURKEY – Following the reports from the local media, EBU confirmed today negotiations with TRT. When EBU makes statements to issues like this the decision seems final and we are closer than ever to seeing Turkey back to the contest.

“Although the EBU’s Turkish Member TRT hasn’t participated in the Eurovision Song Contest since 2012 we know there is still huge interest in Turkey in the Contest underlined by a large amount of engagement on our social channels from Turkish fans. With that in mind, we are in contact with TRT with the aim of bringing them back into the competition. TRT has made a huge contribution to the Contest in the past, including hosting the event in Istanbul in 2004, and we would very much welcome them back should they decide to participate again.”

The previous fee of TRT is needed and the country’s TV ratings can give a serious boost to the TV ratings. TRT left the contest after participating in the Baku edition in 2012 supporting the brother nation. Since then the Finnish kiss in 2013 and Conchita in 2014 alongside the problematic jury voting (for that one we also agree) turned TRT away from the contest.

Following the success of Cyprus in 2018 and Greece in 2021, Turkey needs also some international media spotlight to focus on arts, music and entertainment rather than the insane politics of Mr Erdogan we are all used to the last few years.

🇹🇷 Turkey and EBU discuss TRT's return to the contest#oikotimes #eurovision #euro2020 #esc2021 #esc2022 #jesc #sanremo #festivaldacanção #icardeurovisionbg #nrkmgp #melfest #songvakeppnin #eurovisiongr #umk #euroviisut #eestilaul #pabandomišnaujo #dmgp

— OIKOTIMES (@theoikotimes) June 24, 2021

TURKEY IN EUROVISION

Turkey has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 34 times since its debut in 1975. Since the introduction of the semi-finals in 2004, Turkey has only failed to qualify for the final once, in 2011.

Turkey won the contest once in 2003 and hosted the 2004 contest in Istanbul.

Turkey finished last on its debut at the contest in 1975 and went on to finish last with nul points in 1983 and 1987.

They reached the top ten for the first time in 1986. Şebnem Paker achieved the country’s first top-five results in 1997, finishing third with the song “Dinle”.

The country went on to achieve five more top-five placements after the introduction of the free language rule and televoting, with Sertab Erener giving Turkey its first victory in 2003 with the song “Everyway That I Can”, narrowly defeating Belgium by two points.

Turkey’s other top-five results are Athena (2004), Kenan Doğulu (2007), Hadise (2009), who all finished fourth, and the nu-metal band maNga (2010), who finished second.

The Turkish broadcaster TRT announced in December 2012 that they would not participate in the 2013 contest in Malmö, citing dissatisfaction with the rules of the competition.

2013 was the first time since 1973 that there was no television broadcast of the Eurovision Song Contest on TRT.

In September 2013, TRT stated a return is unlikely for the 2014 contest, citing the same reasons.