According to ESC Spot, the newly established Slovak public broadcaster STVR is evaluating a return to the Eurovision Song Contest after a 12-year hiatus.
Why is a return more possible now?
STVR’s new management has signalled a shift in priorities. The broadcaster noted that past Eurovision participation faced high costs, including licences, production, and logistics, that outweighed the benefits. Now, bolstered by a refreshed strategy and possible private or sponsor funding, STVR is ready to reassess the opportunity.
What STVR said
Spokesman Filip Púchovský explained the decision isn’t driven by nostalgia but by practical considerations. As a public institution, STVR must prioritise original programming, news, and youth development, while weighing Eurovision as an option should conditions be right. He added that Slovakia has yet to utilise private or sponsor support, unlike other small European broadcasters. That may change amid these discussions.
Slovakia’s Eurovision journey
Slovakia last participated in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2012. Their best result came in 1996 with Marcel Palonder’s “Kym nas mas”.
After taking an extended break from the contest in the 2000s, Slovakia returned in 2009 to less success, failing to qualify for the final for four consecutive years before withdrawing again. Their final entry in 2012 was Max Jason Mai’s “Don’t Close Your Eyes”, which finished last in its semi-final. One of their best-remembered entries from this era is Kristina Pelakova’s “Horehronie”, which finished 16th in its semi-final in 2010 and is a regular fixture on the year-end ESC 250 chart.
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News Source: ESC Spot
Photo Credit: eurovision.tv
Rory Gannon 
Euan T