A few years back, in 2012 to be precise, when the BBC thought fit to bring out that family heirloom, better known as Englebert Humperdinck, to prove his terpsichorean powers in the Eurovision Song Contest (he returned with a total of 12 points), questions were asked by the public as to whether it was all worth it.

One of those members of the public thought good to ask the BBC how much that little foray into the pop world cost the licence payer.

After a considerable wait (approximately three months), the BBC came back with an answer of sorts. But not before pointing out that it is not obliged to give out this information as this is specifically excluded from the Freedom of Information Act.

Having said that (and perhaps because it realised that this answer was going to please no one), the BBC proffered some information: namely that in order to ‘skip the queue’ as it were and to go straight to the final (better known as ‘The Big Five’), the BBC contributed approx €400,000 towards the production of that year’s show.

However, the BBC did not give any other details. It did not include, for example, artist fees, all the various hangers on, costumes, TV presenter, and so on.

Something similar seems to be happening in 2016 in Malta.

Last week when Tonio Portughese, the PBS chairman, was asked point blank what was the cost of Malta’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest this year and over the previous two years, his answer was pretty succinct: “I am sure that you appreciate that these budgets are of a commercially sensitive nature”.

He went on to say: ”We confirm that Malta's participation in the context of the Eurovision Song Contest television production is sustained through a successful commercial operation and business partnerships”.

It’s not so much a case of musicians snubbing the Eurovision, as much a case of musicians being snubbed

It was a view which was reflected by PBS CEO Anton Attard who said: “An artist like Ira Losco attracts many commercial companies who are ready to invest more in terms of advertising and sponsorships. In fact, the amount of advertising which PBS managed to generate from this event was unprecedented.”

Attard went on to assure journalists that the funds did not stem from public service obligation (funds advanced to the broadcaster by the government).

Well, that’s alright then. Except that frankly no it isn’t.

As I hinted last week, rumours had been circulating for some time that a large amount of dosh was being thrown at this event which is why journalists were asking questions.

So questions were indeed asked. One journalists mentioned a ballpark figure of €1.5 million which Attard was quick to deny. He was however, as cagey as his chairman Portughese when another journalist suggested half a million euro. “I’ll get back to you,” was Attard’s curt answer

But really at the end of the day, what’s half a million between friends.

Well quite a lot actually. If you consider that in 2012 the BBC spent approx €400,000 to skip the queue, to which it added say another €200,000 for commissioning the song (the BBC does not have to bother with a national song festival) - that would still bring it in at €600,000. Adjust for inflation over the last four years and it’s a fair assumption to think that this year the BBC picked up a tab of approximately €1 million to participate in the competition.

Now consider Malta’s tab of at least half a million (and possibly twice that) and yes it is time to ask questions.

Which is why Ira Losco was hurriedly rolled out to meet the prime minister for placing… 12th, and why she urged singers not to snub the Eurovision.

The only problem is, that without the support musicians have been asking for for years (have you found any rehearsal rooms yet, Willie?) it’s not so much a case of musicians snubbing the Eurovision, as much a case of musicians being snubbed.

So if PBS cannot get over its commercial sensitivity, perhaps they can tell us, as Malta’s prime broadcaster responsible for gold standard entertainment, how they plan to help grow the standard of local music.

No wait. I forgot. They need to save their money for the next foray: the Junior Eurovision Song Contest.

At least they seem to have learnt their lesson there. This year’s competition will be on a smaller scale, held in the Mediterranean Conference Centre. Which is just as well as, so far, only six countries have agreed to participate.