Euro crisis hits Eurovision

Amidst the depths of concern about where the Greek crisis and the eurozone might take us, can I offer a lighter note. Putting aside UK contingency planning to deal with mass immigration and Bankia’s request for a 19bn bailout, perhaps the ultimate indicator of the crisis is the news that Spanish TV has instructed their entrant to the Eurovision Song Contest that she is not to win.

If Pastora Soler wins with her ballad Quedate Conmigo (Stay With Me), then according to the rules of the contest the public broadcaster of the nation that wins must host the following year. And Spain’s broadcaster TVE cannot afford that at the moment.

Surely this explains how/why countries choose their Eurovision entry, and is a great example of game theory which we should use in the classroom?