Morocco in the Eurovision Song Contest

Morocco
Member station	SNRT(1980) 2M TV(2012-)
Appearances
Appearances	1
First appearance	1980
Last appearance	1980
Best result	18th: 1980
Worst result	18th: 1980
External links
Morocco's page at Eurovision.tv

Morocco entered the Eurovision Song Contest for the first, and so far only, time at the Eurovision Song Contest 1980 with the song "Bitaqat Hob", performed by Samira Bensaïd in the Arabic language. Morocco have announced their possible participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 though the decision has not been officially made yet.

Participation

The Moroccan broadcaster, Société Nationale de Radiodiffusion et de Télévision (SNRT), made the country's debut in 1980, becoming the first African and Arab country to enter the contest. Their debut entry also marked the first time that Arabic was performed in the contest.

Their song for the contest was "Bitaqat Hob", performed by famous Moroccan singer Samira Bensaïd. The song only received 7 points, all from Italy, and she placed 18th, ahead of only Finland.

Withdrawal

After their poor placing in the contest, SNRT announced that they would be withdrawing from the 1981 contest, and have never returned since.

Future

A rival Moroccan broadcaster to SNRT, 2M TV, has expressed their intention to join the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). 2M TV, a source of free speech and taboo-breaking in Morocco and for the Moroccan diaspora around Europe, could give the Moroccan people another way of competing at Eurovision. 2M TV, is currently applying for EBU membership and should this be granted, the broadcaster would have the option of entering the contest.^[1][2][3]

In an interview with the French delegation in 2011 it was revealed that Morocco were "likely to return" to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2012.^[4][5]

Contestants

Year	Artist	Title	Final	Points	Semi	Points
1980	Samira Bensaïd	"Bitaqat Hob" (بطاقة حب)	18	7
2012

Voting history (1980)

Morocco has given the most points to...

Rank	Country	Points
1	Turkey	12
2	Germany	10
3	United Kingdom	8
4	Switzerland	7
5	Sweden	6

Morocco has received the most points from...

Rank	Country	Points
1	Italy	7

References

1. ^ "Commercial channel interested to join Eurovision Song Contest". Oikotimes. 2007-07-12. http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=398. Retrieved 2008-10-17. 
2. ^ Kuipers, Michael (2007-07-12). "Morocco to return in the next few years?". ESCToday. http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/8972. Retrieved 2008-09-05. 
3. ^ "Commercial channel interested to join Eurovision Song Contest". Oikotimes. 2008-08-31. http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=4003. Retrieved 2008-09-06. 
4. ^ http://www.oikotimes.com/eurovision/2011/07/29/bruno-berberes-forsees-morocco-returning/
5. ^ pour-tout-savoir-sur-eurovision

External links

• Points to and from Morocco eurovisioncovers.co.uk