🇦🇱 RTSH faces “catastrophic” debts, Eurovision participation at risk

Albania’s public broadcaster RTSH is facing a financial crisis that could put its participation in the Eurovision Song Contest in jeopardy.

Eni Vasili admits debt crisis

Speaking to BIRN, RTSH’s new director general Eni Vasili, who took over on 9 April 2025, described a “catastrophic situation of debts and obligations” at the broadcaster.

“I thank all the journalists, authors and moderators of March–June 2025 projects for their understanding regarding delays in RTSH payments. Of course, it is not their responsibility that they were promised projects that could not be paid for – but this does not make the new management responsible, which has found itself in a catastrophic situation of debts and obligations and is trying to do its best to manage it,” Vasili told BIRN.

RTSH’s Board of Directors has confirmed that the broadcaster is currently around €6 million in debt, while lawsuits linked to the mass dismissal of 150 employees by former director Alfred Peza have already cost €1.8 million.

Eurovision obligations prioritised

Vasili underlined that international commitments are being prioritised, with payments to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) among the broadcaster’s most urgent expenses.

“Of course, there is a prioritisation of payments at this moment, and we are trying to pay some international obligations first, some of which have not been paid since January 2024. Such non-payments would put RTSH in the position of losing its partnership with the EBU, and participation in Eurovision, or the loss of many television rights”

She also warned that failure to meet these obligations could expose RTSH to “international courts for non-payment of contracts with foreigners.”

Albania has already confirmed it’s Eurovision 2026 participation in June. However, the broadcaster’s Board of Management is expected to review its internal debts in the coming weeks.

Albania’s Eurovision journey

In 2004, Albania made their debut into the Eurovision Song Contest with Anjeza Shahini with “Image of You”, which placed 7th in the final. Since their debut, Albania has participated 20 times, and made the final 10 times. They achieved their best result in 2012, where Rona Nishliu placed 5th with “Suus”.

Shkodra Elektronike represented Albania in the 2025 Contest in Basel with “Zjerm”. The duo made it to the Grand Final, where they ultimately finished in 8th place with 218 points. 173 of these came from the televote, while the remaining 45 points came from the jury.

What are you hoping to see from Elhaida’s second year at the helm? As always, please let us know what you think by getting involved in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Threads, tumblr, and Bluesky for more information about Eurovision 2026!

News source: Balkan Insight

Photo credit: Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU