Czech broadcaster ČT has revealed it has spent a total of €240,000 on its participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. It comes as questions are raised regarding Czechia’s participation in the Contest next year.
Full breakdown provided by ČT
Responding to a freedom of information request, lawyer Jaroslav Mlateček gave a full breakdown on ČT’s expenses at Eurovision 2026. The total cost of Czechia’s participation came to a total of 5,805,216 korunas, equivalent to €239,978.92. The full breakdown was as follows:
- Preparatory work on the project – 458,927 Kč
- International routes – 551,913 Kč
- Costs for stage presentation and technical production – 2,312,765 Kč
- Costs for costumes, make-up, and preparation of the performers – 100,000 Kč
- Costs for promotional and marketing activities – 106,000 Kč
- Travel and accommodation costs of the Czech Television delegation and performers – 1,255,061 Kč
- Personal costs / remuneration of involved employees and external collaborators – 1,020,550 Kč
On top of this, the national broadcaster was asked when a decision on participation in next year’s Contest will be made. ČT explained that the final decision will be made public in October.
It comes as concerns continue to be raised over the future of Czechia’s participation in the Contest. During the summer, it was revealed that a new funding programme for the broadcaster would see a drastic reduction in the broadcaster’s budget. Now being entirely funded by the government and not through licence fees, ČT will be given a fixed budget for the next year totalling 5.74billion korunas (€236.65million), with an extra 2.065billion (€85.1million) being given to the radio department. This is just the latest in a number of large drops in ČT’s funding, as its budget for the 2025/26 year came to 7.5billion korunas.
Czechia’s Eurovision journey
Czechia made their debut in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2007, with Kabát’s “Malá dama”; however, their debut entry finished last in a 28-song semi-final, scoring only 1 point. This kicked off three consecutive non-qualifications, with their best result coming in 2008, finishing in second-last place. Having withdrawn in 2009 due to poor results, Czechia returned to the Contest in 2015. In 2016, Czechia qualified for the first time with Gabriela Gunciková’s “I Stand”.
Czechia continued its internal selections for Eurovision 2026, selecting Daniel Zizka with “CROSSROADS”. The song was able to qualify for the final from the second semi-final, and ultimately finished in 16th place, scoring 113 points. Of these, only 9 came from the televote, whilst the remaining 104 points came from the jury.
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News Source: El EuroRicón
Photo Credit: Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU
Thomas James