Loss of money – Photo nlpc.org

The ‘National Audit Office’ in Denmark has been called in to investigate the finances of Denmark’s Eurovision 2014 expenses. To add to the woes it has been announced today that there are to be redundancies of 10% at ‘Wonderful Copenhagen’ to raise necessary funds following the 77 million Kroner shortfall in this year’s contest budget.

According to Fyens, PAC (Public Accounts Committee) will ask the National Audit Office of Denmark to investigate both who and why there was an overspend on the contest in Copenhagen.

Kristian Jensen (Liberal Party Auditor) said

“Eurovision ended in a Bermuda Triangle of responsibilities. Neither the City of Copenhagen, Capital Region or Wonderful Copenhagen will take responsibility for the million deficit. Therefore, we need to get it examined”

Is the matter serious that the National Audit Office should be called in?

“Yes. It’s pretty serious. It has not been possible to get someone to take responsibility. The only thing that has emerged was the resignation of Michael Morch, chairman of Wonderful Copenhagen” says Kristian Jensen

Today in the Copenhagen Post it was announced that ‘Wonderful Copenhagen’, the tourism organisation entrusted with organising the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen, is to cut its permanent staff by 10 percent.

The Wonderful Copenhagen board said these redundancies are part of a streamlining plan aimed at balancing the books after they went 77 million kroner over budget organising Eurovision.

“It’s regrettable that we have to let people go, but it’s the quickest and easiest way to save money. They have to make savings because of the massive loss suffered at Eurovision” Per Roswall, a Wonderful Copenhagen board member, told Jyllands-Posten newspaper.

The financial shortfall at Eurovision 2014 seems to show no signs of disappearing and will in fact become a vast investigation with the Danish authorities.

I am sure that broadcasters across Europe will be watching this situation for lessons that can be learnt should they find themselves in the fortunate position of hosting the contest.

Will this see smaller scale productions by broadcasters going forward?

Author/Editor in Chief Garrett Mulhall

Source : Copenhagen Post and Fyens.dk