Photo: Screenshot from HaKokhav HaBa for Eurovision 2025, courtesy of Keshet 12.
Just under a week ago, Yuval Raphael was chosen to represent Israel in Eurovision 2025, and now the amount “Keshet 12” will finance for the Israeli Eurovision delegation to Basel has been revealed: 3.5 million shekels! All details in the article.
Last week’s finale of “HaKokhav HaBa for Eurovision 2025” recorded a five-year peak rating for “Keshet 12”. Yuval Raphael was chosen to represent Israel at Eurovision 2025, which will be held in Basel on May 13, 15, and 17, in hopes of bringing Israel its fifth win in the contest. Under the agreement between Keshet and the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation “Kan”, Keshet will finance the delegation at a cost of approximately 3.5 million Shekels (almost 1 million Euros)!
The funding covers the entire delegation, including the necessary security for such an event amid war and rampant antisemitism, alongside the production of the song for Eurovision and the financing of the special broadcast on Kan 11 channel where the song representing Israel will be revealed. For Kan 11, this means saving millions of shekels, which can be redirected to original productions. Keshet 12’s revenues from the last season of ‘HaKokhav HaBa‘ are estimated at about 25 million Shekels (more than 6.5 million Euros).
Under the agreement, the “Kan” receives an advertising package worth several million Shekels on Keshet 12, both around Eurovision and around the corporation’s original content. A similar agreement was signed last year, which promoted several original programs of the corporation. According to data from “Yifat Media Monitoring”, throughout the season, advertisements and sponsorships were sold in the amount of 25 million shekels, excluding reruns. The amount is based on the fact that it is a super prime-time program broadcast twice a week, meaning there is high advertising effectiveness.
The Relationship Between Kan 11 and Keshet 12
The connection between Kan 11 and Keshet 12 is maintained for the second year after the corporation issued a call for proposals concerning Eurovision. The corporation faced two alternatives: to hold an internal committee and take care of the costs itself – or to issue a call for another company to hold a singing competition. Since such a competition exists only in Keshet, the choice was obvious (in 2022 the collaboration was with “X Factor” of Network 13). Two years ago, the corporation waived cooperation, and Noa Kirel was chosen to represent Israel in Eurovision 2023, with all costs being the public broadcast. Last year, Keshet financed the delegation costs of Eden Golan – estimated at a lower amount of 250-400 thousand shekels – and so it will be this year with Yuval Raphael.
Beyond reducing costs, over the course of half a year, the corporation receives mentions for one of its flagship broadcasts on a leading commercial channel. The hype that lasts several months is also likely to strengthen the Eurovision ratings themselves.
What is the cost of participating in Eurovision for the participating countries?
Participating countries are required to pay participation fees to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), and these amounts vary from year to year and from country to country. For example, Greece paid 120,000 euros in 2012 and rose to 150,000 euros in 2023. Ireland, on the other hand, invested 70,000 euros in 2013, and the general trend shows an increase in participation fees due to rising production costs. Spain, always an active participant, paid varying amounts: 356,000 euros in 2015 and jumped to 640,000 euros in 2022, before slightly decreasing to 347,700 euros in 2023.
In addition to the standard participation fees, the host country is required to invest additional amounts that may range from 10 to 20 million euros, depending on production costs and the sponsorships it can secure. At times, as seen in Germany and other countries, the investments are even higher, with Germany, for example, reaching a peak of 473,000 euros in 2023. The overall investment in the contest is profitable for many broadcasters due to the popularity and global scope of the event, which ensures extensive exposure and high advertising revenues.
Eurovision 2025: This is Israel’s 47th participation in Eurovision. Israel joined the competition in 1973 and has won it four times over the years. Israel’s last victory was at Eurovision 2018 with the song “Toy” performed by singer Netta Barzilai.
