RTÉ’s €400,000 Eurovision Gamble Pays Off: Bambie Thug Secures Ireland’s Best Finish in Over Two Decades

In a year when Eurovision came with its usual flair and spectacle, Ireland’s national broadcaster RTÉ made headlines for its hefty investment in this year’s entry—nearly €400,000. But for Bambie Thug, the punk-pop sensation who stormed the stage in Malmö with Doomsday Blue, the financial gamble was well worth it. The performance marked Ireland’s most successful result in 24 years, placing sixth overall and rekindling a nation’s hopes after years of disappointing outcomes.

A Eurovision Resurgence

For Ireland, a country with a storied Eurovision past but one that hasn’t reached the top-10 since Jedward’s energetic eighth-place finish in 2011, the pressure was palpable. Bambie Thug, known for their bold performances and unapologetic style, brought a breath of fresh air to the contest, shattering expectations with their highest finish since the year 2000. And with it, RTÉ’s ambitious investment has shown that betting big can lead to big rewards.

16 Days in Sweden: The Costs

Details released by RTÉ last night revealed the impressive scale of Ireland’s Eurovision operation. With a delegation of 21 people sent to Malmö, including Bambie Thug, dancer Matt Williams, and executive producer Michael Kealy, the Irish presence in Sweden was significant. Some of the team spent up to 16 days in the country, racking up a €61,927 hotel bill and €13,694 in subsistence costs. Flights, all booked in economy class, came to a relatively modest €7,087. Ground transport added another €2,745 to the tally, while RTÉ’s fee to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the organizer of the event, amounted to €101,090—securing broadcast rights for over seven hours of Eurovision magic across three nights.

Beyond logistical expenses, production costs for Ireland’s dramatic and visually striking performance totalled €73,438. The total bill for RTÉ’s Eurovision adventure came to an eye-watering €389,999—a hefty price tag, but one that the broadcaster feels justified given Ireland’s resurgent success.

Record-Breaking Audiences

The financial outlay didn’t go unnoticed by Irish viewers. On the night of the grand final, over 695,000 people tuned in to watch Bambie Thug take the stage—representing 53% of the available audience. The semi-final attracted a 35% share of viewers, with 415,000 tuning in to RTÉ2 on Tuesday, May 7. In total, RTÉ’s Eurovision coverage has amassed over 226,000 streams on its digital platform RTÉ Player.

A spokesperson for RTÉ emphasized the significance of this year’s result, stating: «Bambie Thug’s performance was Ireland’s most successful result in 24 years… Their sixth-place finish was the best since 2000, reigniting Irish Eurovision pride after a long drought.«

Is the Investment Worth It?

For years, Eurovision had seemed like a fading dream for Ireland, a country once famed for its dominance in the contest during the 1990s. With financial constraints and dwindling results, many questioned the value of continuing to invest in the competition. However, Bambie Thug’s success in 2024 could signal a turning point. As RTÉ’s Eurovision budget for the year shows, the broadcaster took a calculated risk, but the payoff was significant: a revitalize interest in Eurovision and a renewed sense of national pride on the international stage.

Whether this will lead to further heavy investment in future entries remains to be seen. But for now, Ireland can celebrate a Eurovision rebirth, and Bambie Thug’s Doomsday Blue will go down in history as the song that brought Ireland back into Eurovision’s spotlight.

Source: Irish Mirror

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