Skopje, December 7 — Macedonian Radio Television has decided not to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest next year.
"Such a decision is in the best interest of the citizens, bearing in mind that next year, the public service, with all its capacities, will focus on celebrating the great jubilee - 80 years of Macedonian Radio and 60 years of Macedonian Television. The activities to mark the great jubilee will take place throughout 2024", the Macedonian Radio and Television announced.
In the meantime, they have announced that they will broadcast the event, the two semi-finals, and the grand final on their services.
Next year's Eurovision Song Contest will take place from May 7-11 in Malmö, Sweden.
Macedonia did not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest this year either, due to, as it was stated at the time, "the economic and energy crisis and the high costs".
Since its official debut in 1998, Macedonia has taken part in the contest 21 times. The country has reached the grand final nine times.
Macedonia achieved the highest place (7th) in 2019 with the song Proud by Tamara Todevska.