As the excitement builds for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, Romania's national broadcaster TVR has confirmed it will not air this year’s event. This announcement comes just days before the grand final set to take place on May 17, 2025, at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland. This year marks a significant moment for the contest, with 37 countries participating, yet Romania will be notably absent from the broadcasts.
TVR's decision not to broadcast the contest this year is part of a broader trend, as financial difficulties have led several countries to withdraw from Eurovision. Romania last participated in the contest in 2023, where Theodor Andrei finished in last place in the semi-final with a disappointing score of 0 points. This lack of success seems to have contributed to the broadcaster's decision, as the country has historically struggled with financial stability regarding its participation.
Romania's Eurovision history began in 1994, and the country has experienced both highs and lows since then. The nation made its debut in the contest that year, with Dan Bittman finishing 21st in the final, scoring just 14 points. Romania's best results came in 2005 and 2010, when it achieved third-place finishes with Luminita Anghel & Sistem and Paula Seling & Ovi, respectively. However, the nation missed the 2016 contest due to TVR being removed from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) over debts.
Meanwhile, the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 is set to be an exciting affair, especially following Switzerland's victory in 2024 with the song "The Code" by Nemo, which scored a remarkable 591 points. This victory secured Switzerland the hosting rights for this year’s event, and anticipation is high as fans speculate about potential winners.
Sweden is currently the frontrunner, aiming for a record-breaking eighth Eurovision victory with the song "Bara Bada Bastu" by the Finnish-Swedish trio KAJ. This quirky, comedic entry celebrates sauna culture and has already garnered over 20 million streams on Spotify. Betting odds place Sweden at 11/10 to win, reflecting their strong position in the competition.
Austria follows closely behind with JJ's emotional ballad "Wasted Love," which combines operatic vocals with modern pop elements, currently priced at 5/2 to win. France’s entry, "Maman" by Louane, is also gaining momentum, climbing to joint-third favorite at 9/1. Other notable entries include Israel's "New Day Will Rise" by Yuval Raphael and the Netherlands’ "C’est La Vie" by Claude, priced at 10/1 and 16/1, respectively.
The United Kingdom's entry, the girl band Remember Monday with their country-pop track "What The Hell Just Happened?", is seen as an underdog at 66/1. Despite their growing popularity on TikTok, they face tough competition from stronger contenders.
As the final approaches, the excitement surrounding Eurovision 2025 is palpable. Fans are eager to see how the voting will unfold, which combines national jury votes and public voting, ensuring a blend of expertise and popular opinion. Each participating country awards points ranging from 1 to 12, with the top pick receiving 12 points. Interestingly, countries cannot vote for themselves, and the EBU independently verifies the votes to maintain fairness.
In the midst of this competitive atmosphere, Spain's Melody has emerged as a notable entry for Eurovision 2025. Having won the Benidorm Fest, she will represent Spain with the song "Esa Diva," which is about embracing divahood. Melody, who began her music career at the young age of 10 with her hit "El Baile Del Gorila," expressed her excitement about representing her country, describing the experience as a "fantasy." She has hinted at some changes to the song to ensure it resonates more with the European audience.
Melody is 34 years old and hails from Dos Hermanas, a town just south of Seville. Co-written alongside notable songwriters including Joy Deb, who co-wrote Sweden’s 2015 winner "Heroes," and Thomas G:son, known for his work on Loreen’s two Eurovision victories, her entry aims to make a significant impact.
Spain has a rich Eurovision history, having won the contest twice in 1968 and 1969. However, they faced disappointment in 2024 when their entry, Nebulossa, finished in 22nd place with only 30 points. With Melody at the helm this year, Spain hopes to reclaim its glory on the Eurovision stage.
The 69th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest promises to be an exciting spectacle, showcasing diverse musical talent from across Europe and beyond. As fans gear up for the event, the absence of Romania's TVR adds a bittersweet note to the festivities, highlighting the challenges faced by some countries in participating in this beloved annual competition.
As the date approaches, all eyes will be on Basel, where the grand final will unfold. Will Sweden secure their eighth victory, or will another country surprise everyone? With the stakes high and the competition fierce, Eurovision 2025 is set to be a memorable event filled with music, excitement, and unexpected twists.
