National selection for Eurovision: UA:PBC in search of new format after terminating deal with STB

That’s according to the website of UA:PBC, Ukrinform reports.

“This year, the three-year memorandum between the Public Broadcaster and STB expired. As the parties had different views on the further conditions of cooperation, at this stage they decided to terminate such cooperation. UA:PBC is grateful to STB for the years of joint work on the national selection,” the statement reads.

As noted, UA:PBC  is currently working on various options for the national selection for ESC2022: both independently and with partners. "Regardless of the chosen format, the Public Broadcaster will definitely ensure a high level of Ukraine's participation in the international Eurovision Song Contest," UA:PBC assures.

The first three-year memorandum between UC:PBC and STB was signed in 2015. In 2018, the parties decided to continue cooperation on the Eurovision national selection and signed another three-year memo until 2021 inclusive.

According to ESCUnited, a platform covering Eurovision news, STB used to run the national final, Vidbir, while UA:PBC managed and prepared the entry and artist for Eurovision. 

In 2021, UA:PBC was able to independently fund the entire Eurovision process without co-sponsorship from STB, and this change in approach likely comes from a budget increase for UA:PBC.

Ukraine has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 16 times since, having joined the show in 2003. Ukraine has won ESC twice: in 2004 with Wild Dances by Ruslana, and in 2016 with 1944 by Jamala, becoming the first Eastern European country to win the contest twice, as per Wikipedia.

Last year’s entry, Shum by Go_A, sealed the fifth spot.

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