Mr Sean McAusland 
Via email: [FOI #617 email]   
 
16 July 2008   
 
Dear Mr McAusland 
 
Freedom of Information request – RFI20080552 
 
I write further to my letter of 4 July 2008, following your request under the Freedom of 
Information Act 2000 for information regarding the Eurovision Song Contest.   
 
I write to further clarify the response that was previously provided to you and to advise that the 
amount that the BBC paid to be part of the Eurovision Song Contest this year was £221,000.  The 
amount quoted to you in our letter of 4 July 2008 (£211,000) was the budgeted figure for the 
Eurovision Song Contest, however, due to foreign currency fluctuations at the time of payment, 
this amount increased slightly.  As well as the 3 hour final programme that this provides to 
viewers, this figure contributed to the two semi finals, which were each 2 hours in length. 
 
To reiterate, this part of your request is outside the scope of the Freedom of Information Act 
2000 (“the Act”) because the BBC and the other public service broadcasters are covered by the 
Act only in respect of information held for purposes “other than those of journalism, art or 
literature” (see Schedule I, Part VI of the Act).  However, on this occasion we’re happy to 
volunteer the above information. 
 
As you have previously been advised the BBC does not offer an internal review when the 
information requested is not covered by the Act, as is the case with the above information.  
However, if you are not satisfied with the response, you do have the right to appeal to the 
Information Commissioner.  The contact details are: Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe 
House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF, telephone 01625 545 700, 
http://www.ico.gov.uk 
 
Yours sincerely, 
 
Richard Curwen 
Head of Legal & Business Affairs
 

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