In 2008 , the EBU introduced two semi-finals to the contest , hoping that spreading countries out by random draw would prevent the kind of bloc voting that had warded Austria off . Additionally , they reintroduced juries to determine 50 % of each country 's result in 2009 ( albeit not in the semi-finals , in which all but one of the qualifiers were decided entirely by televote ) . However , Edgar Böhm , director of entertainment for ORF , said that the semi-final format " still incorporates a mix of countries who will be politically favoured in the voting process " and " that , unless a clear guideline as to how the semifinals are organised is made by the EBU , Austria will not be taking part in Moscow 2009 " . ORF decided not to participate in the 2009 contest , but did broadcast the final as in 2008 . The EBU announced that they would work harder to bring Austria back to the contest in 2010 , along with former participants Monaco and Italy . It was , however , confirmed that Austria would not participate in the 2010 Contest in Bærum . In July 2010 , the chairman of ORF , Alexander Wrabetz , stated that Austria would return for the 2011 contest , due to it being held in its neighbour Germany . In 2011 , Austria reached the final for the first time since 2004
2009 contest
Eurovision Song Contest 2009
Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest