🇦🇱 Albania: RTSH Agrees Debt Payment Plan With EBU Ensuring Eurovision Participation

Albanian media reports that RTSH has agreed on a payment plan with the European Broadcasting Union to settle debts owed by the broadcaster.

RTSH and the EBU have reached an agreement on debt payments to the EBU, which ensures that Albania will remain able to compete in EBU competitions, including the Eurovision Song Contest. Earlier this month, The head of RTSH, Albania’s public broadcaster, Eni Vasili, confirmed that RTSH had not paid some international obligations since January 2024, with the EBU stating RTSH risked being cut off from EBU services.

Balkan Web reports that the EBU and RTSH have reached an agreement for a payment plan which will see the debts repaid over an extended period of time. This agreement ensures that RTSH keeps access to EBU services and can participate in EBU competitions such as the Eurovision and Junior Eurovision Song Contests.

Had RTSH been sanctioned by the EBU for its debts, it would have been the fourth broadcaster in the past ten years to have services cut back and Eurovision Song Contest participation removed. BHRT of Bosnia & Herzegovina remains unable to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest due to debts, TVR of Romania had to withdraw from the 2016 contest due to debt, while MRT of North Macedonia had to settle debts before they could compete in 2018.

Image Source: Sarah Louise Bennett/ EBU | Source: Balkan Web

Albania made its debut at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2004. Albania succeeded in their first showing with Anjeza Shahini’s “The Image of You”, finishing 7th in the final. Albania has competed in the Eurovision Song Contest every year since its debut. Since the success of their first appearance, they have reached the grand final a further 11 times. They bettered their 2004 score in 2012 with Rona Nishliu’s song “Suus”, which finished in 5th place with 146 points. This was their first time reaching the top 5 and their best placing to date.

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