Ukraine: Andriy Danylko refuses to be a judge in the national finals

Ukraine: Andriy Danylko refuses to be a judge in the national finals

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Andriy Danylko, the mastermind behind Ukraine's Eurovision character Verka Serduchka, criticizes the country's national selection, refusing to return as a judge until changes are made. Andriy Danylko, the creative force behind Ukraine's iconic Eurovision character Verka Serduchka, has publicly criticized the country's national selection process for the Eurovision Song Contest. Danylko, who served as a judge for the competition from 2016 to 2020 and returned this year after a three-year hiatus, has announced he will not reprise his role until substantial changes are implemented. The Ukrainian star expressed disappointment with the current format of the national selection. In an interview for the Ukrainian program "I Gryanul Grem," Danylko stated, "I won't sit there anymore; I don't want to. There's nothing to judge right now. When they chose over three weeks, there was some conflict about who would make it to the final, some intrigue. But here, they've already chosen the artists. What is there to discuss? They're all...
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Ireland: RTÉ reforms threaten future of Eurovision hosting

Ireland: RTÉ reforms threaten future of Eurovision hosting

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); RTÉ's drastic cuts threaten its ability to host Eurovision in the future, leaving the selection process for the Irish Eurovision representative uncertain. Ireland's national broadcaster, RTÉ, is facing heavy criticism over proposed reforms that could jeopardise its ability to host major events like the Eurovision Song Contest. Concerns are mounting regarding the potential impacts on production capabilities and iconic shows. The recent announcement by Kevin Bakhurst, the new CEO of RTÉ, has sent shockwaves through Ireland's media landscape. Bakhurst's reform plans include significant budget cuts, selling off parts of the RTÉ campus, and outsourcing many productions. These changes have raised alarms about RTÉ's future role in hosting large-scale events such as the Eurovision Song Contest. A long-time broadcast engineer at RTÉ expressed deep concern, stating, "The role of RTÉ as a full public service broadcaster would be gone forever" under these new plans. The new RTÉ won't have the teams, the equipment, or likely even the funding to host...
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Latvia: Songwriting camp set for Eurovision 2025 in Riga

Latvia: Songwriting camp set for Eurovision 2025 in Riga

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Latvia is preparing for Eurovision 2025 with a songwriting camp in Riga from August 26-29. This collaborative initiative with Swedish artists aims to enhance Latvia's chances in the competition. The Latvian broadcaster LTV has confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2025 and will use the Supernova contest for the tenth year. The songwriting camp will serve as a platform for artists to create new music. It will be hosted at the "Auss" studio, known for its advanced recording facilities, allowing artists to collaborate and produce songs for Supernova 2025. Registration for the camp opens on August 20. This camp highlights the importance of collaboration in the music industry, providing a space for artists to network and share ideas. As Latvia prepares for the competition, the songwriting camp represents a significant opportunity to create compelling music that resonates with audiences. The selection of artists for Supernova will be determined by a panel of judges from the Latvian music industry and international...
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Albania: Festivali i Këngës 63 submissions open from September 27 to 29

Albania: Festivali i Këngës 63 submissions open from September 27 to 29

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); From September 27 to 29, RTSH will accept song submissions for the 63rd edition of Festivali i Këngës, aiming to discover Albania's next hit. The Albanian broadcaster RTSH has announced that the song submission window for the 63rd edition of Festivali i Këngës will open from September 27 to 29. Aspiring artists can submit their entries via email to [email protected], marking an exciting opportunity for musicians to showcase their talent. It remains unclear if this will be the selection method for Albania's representative at Eurovision 2025, as RTSH has yet to confirm participation. Submission Guidelines Artists must adhere to specific guidelines for their submissions, including a final version of the song, lyrics, and a brief biography. Submissions should be sent to [email protected] during the submission window. Elhaida Dani, who represented Albania in Eurovision 2015, has been appointed as the Artistic Director for this year’s festival. Her leadership is expected to enhance the festival’s artistic quality, drawing inspiration from international events...
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