The new Greek public service broadcaster NERIT was accepted as an active member of the European Broadcasting Union community at the opening day of the 73rd General Assembly. The new broadcaster was set up after the Greek government shut down the former EBU member ERT on June 11, 2013, due to financial pressure. The EBU’s acceptance of NERIT means that Greece can now officially join the Eurovision song contest in Vienna, Austria.

Sakis Rouvas in 2004 in Istanbul

Greece’s participation had depended on whether NERIT would be an EBU member as its participation in the last contest was the result of an exemption. EBU’s strenuous work to re-establish a functioning public service media (PSM) for Greek audiences has paid off and NERIT can now take part in the contest in Vienna!

Sarbel in Helsinki in 2007

“What we’ve seen is that it takes a very short time to close down a public broadcaster and the process of establishing a new trusted and well-functioning PSM is painful, lengthy and expensive,” said EBU Director General Ingrid Deltenre. “NERIT has far to go. But we believe we can be of greater support to a broadcaster functioning from within rather than outside the Union.”

Koza Mostra at Malmo in 2013

“We’re glad to have Greece joining the 60th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. Their dedication to the biggest music event in the world has been impressive throughout the years,” said Jon Ola Sand, Executive Supervisor of the contest.

Kalomoira in Belgrade in 2008

Greece has been one of the most successful countries at the Eurovision Song Contest in the last decade, winning the contest in 2005 and qualifying for the Final every year since the introduction of the Semi-Finals.

Helena Paparizou won Eurovision with the winning song “My Number One” in Kiev in 2005 –