Azerbaijan at the contest

Azerbaijan made its debut at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2008, after Azerbaijani Public Television (ITV) became an active member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). ITV had broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest in previous years, purchasing broadcasting rights from the EBU.

Previously, another broadcaster, AzTV, wanted to participate in 2007, but EBU rules did not allow this as AzTV was not an active member of the EBU. AzTV was denied active EBU membership on 18 June 2007, as it was considered too connected to the Azerbaijani government. On 5 July, ITV became a full EBU member, and on October 15 it was given permission to take part in the contest by EBU .