May 2025 - Page 2 of 20

Italy: Sanremo Festival 2026 – The Legal Battle and Its Implications for Eurovision

May 26, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eurovision 2026 begins in court: All the drama behind the Sanremo Festival tender, the hints shared by the host, and why only RAI submitted a bid. The Sanremo Festival, one of Europe's most significant musical events and undoubtedly Italy's most central, is currently at the epicenter of an unprecedented cultural, political, and legal storm. Such turmoil has not been seen since the competition's inception in 1951, predating even Eurovision. The core issue is not just who will stand on stage, but primarily who will operate this grand platform, who will own this cultural-national format, and how Italy's journey to Eurovision will look in the coming years. At the center of the storm lies the question of ownership and production rights. Is the Italian national broadcaster, RAI, entitled to produce the festival without a public tender? And will the upcoming legal decision undermine the broadcaster's historic role as the steward of an event that has become a cornerstone of...

Drama in Ukraine: Kateryna Pavlenko Removed from the Eurovision 2025 Jury Panel

May 25, 2025 by Ofek Jerassi Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); After Estonia, Ukraine is also in turmoil: Kateryna Pavlenko, lead singer of Go_A and Eurovision 2021 representative, was removed from the Eurovision 2025 jury panel due to a violation of contest regulations. Kateryna Pavlenko, the lead vocalist of Go_A and Ukraine’s representative at Eurovision 2021, has been removed from Ukraine’s jury panel for Eurovision 2025 following a breach of the European Broadcasting Union’s voting rules. The decision, made at the request of the EBU just before the voting phase of the Eurovision Song Contest, has stirred strong reactions among fans in Ukraine and across Europe. Pavlenko’s disqualification, after being chosen by the public to serve as a juror, underscores the EBU’s strict commitment to fairness in the judging process. She has been replaced by Natela Chkhartishvili-Zatsarinna, the producer of music channels M1 and M2, in order to maintain gender balance on the panel. This intriguing decision is notable, as the specific reason for Pavlenko’s removal has not been...

The Race to Host Eurovision 2026: ORF to Announce Host City in July!

May 24, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Following Austria's recent Eurovision victory, ORF launches a formal process to select the 2026 host city. Which city will prove itself most suitable for the landmark event? Austria recently celebrated its triumph at Eurovision 2025, but for many, the real festivities are just beginning. Next week, the Austrian national broadcaster, ORF, will formally begin the process of selecting the city to host the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, scheduled for May 2026 in Austria. Official letters will be sent to each of the federal state governors, accompanied by a comprehensive 40-page document detailing the application requirements. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The First Stage: Inviting Cities to Submit Their Bids This complex document outlines stringent criteria: suitable venues in terms of size and infrastructure, accessible transport links - including proximity to international airports - and a hotel infrastructure capable of accommodating tens of thousands of visitors. Among the cities already mentioned are well-known...

Denmark: Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2026 to Be Held on February 14th

May 24, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Denmark at Eurovision 2026: The Danish national broadcaster, DR, announced that the "Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2026" will take place on February 14th, confirming Denmark’s participation in Eurovision 2026. The Danish national broadcaster, DR, has officially announced that the "Dansk Melodi Grand Prix," will be held on February 14th, 2026, in the city of Frederikshavn, thereby confirming Denmark’s participation in Eurovision 2026. Erik Struve Hansen, head of the Danish delegation to Eurovision and the national selection, stated: "The aim of the Danish national selection is to unite Danes from all walks of life through music. I am pleased that this means the show remains relevant and is something people from all parts of the country identify with". (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The national broadcaster also announced that a week after the local national selection final, on February 21st, the same venue will host a spin-off competition for children aged 8 to 15. However, the broadcaster has already confirmed that...

Senior Politician Against JJ: “Those Who Boycott Israel Need a History Lesson”

May 24, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A storm in Austria: Senior Austrian politician Johanna Mikl-Leitner harshly criticized Eurovision winner JJ, who called for Israel's exclusion from the contest, stating, "Anyone equating Israel with Russia needs an urgent history lesson." A significant controversy has erupted in Austria surrounding Eurovision 2025. The Governor of Lower Austria, Johanna Mikl-Leitner, sharply criticized the statements made by Eurovision winner JJ, who called for Israel's removal from the upcoming contest. According to Mikl-Leitner, a member of the center-right ÖVP party, "Anyone who seeks to boycott Israel and equates it with Russia, without mentioning the Hamas terror attack, urgently needs a history lesson". Her remarks were made in recent days amid a heated public debate about Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Mikl-Leitner, one of Austria's most prominent political figures, made it clear that, in her view, there is no place for Eurovision 2025 without Israel's participation. She emphasized that antisemitism, in any form, will not be tolerated in Europe and called for a...

Greece Stands with Israel at Eurovision: “Israel Truly Won First Place in the Public Vote”

May 23, 2025May 24, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A gesture of support: Greece rebuffs allegations from European sources, including the Spanish national broadcaster, regarding vote-rigging that led to Israel’s win in the public vote at Eurovision. European countries such as Spain and Belgium have questioned the credibility of the public voting results at Eurovision. In contrast, Greece, Israel’s neighbor across the sea, has expressed support for the voting system. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Greek government spokesperson, Pavlos Marinakis, who also holds political authority over the Greek national broadcaster, ERT, dismissed the allegations from various European sources regarding supposed Israeli vote manipulation and stated: “Eurovision is a music competition. Artists and songs participate. The public and the juries vote according to their own criteria. Indeed, the European public placed Israel in first place, in line with how each person chose to vote”. He went on to reaffirm the Greek government’s support for Israel and reminded the public of the reasons behind the outbreak of...

Klavdia: ” I Hope That One Day Eurovision will Once Again be Purely a Song Contest”

May 23, 2025May 23, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "It deeply saddens me that the contest has become political": Klavdia, Greece's Eurovision 2025 representative, responded to the statement by the new Eurovision winner regarding Israel's participation. How did she react to his remarks? Yesterday (Thursday), Klavdia, Greece's Eurovision 2025 representative, received an award from the Greek national broadcaster ERT and, alongside it, made a sweeping statement against the ongoing politicization of the contest in recent times. When asked about the comments made by JJ, the Eurovision 2025 winner, regarding the exclusion of Israel from the competition, she did not remain indifferent and directly opposed the use of politics in Eurovision. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "The Contest Has Become Political" When Klavdia was asked about JJ's pointed statement - that Israel should be excluded from the contest - she gave a clear and straightforward answer. Klavdia made a firm decision, which she has upheld throughout the competition: “It’s a song contest. It deeply saddens me...

Netherlands: Submission Window for Eurovision 2026 Songs Opens

May 23, 2025 by Nitsan Eliraz Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Dutch national broadcaster has opened the submission window for Eurovision 2026. Artists and songwriters can submit entries until August 31, with the representative and song to be chosen internally. Following the announcement by the Dutch national broadcaster AVROTROS that it will once again use an internal selection process to choose the country’s representative for Eurovision 2026, the Netherlands has officially opened the song submission window for artists and songwriters, which will remain open until August 31. The Netherlands was the first country to confirm its participation in Eurovision 2026, already doing so in November 2024. The Dutch national broadcaster has expressed satisfaction with the country’s recent achievements in the competition, having reached the final no fewer than 10 times over the past 12 years. As a result, they have decided to continue with the internal selection process. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Submission Window and Song Requirements The song submission window will close in approximately three months, on August 31....

Reports in Sweden: SVT Knew About Måns Zelmerlöw’s Drug and Violence Allegations

May 23, 2025 by Tal Dahan Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eurovision 2015 winner Måns Zelmerlöw, who competed in this year’s Melodifestivalen, faces accusations of drug use and violence against his ex-wife. Production officials admitted awareness but took no action. A storm has erupted in Sweden over the participation of singer Måns Zelmerlöw in the Melodifestivalen 2025 final. According to an investigation by Aftonbladet, senior officials at the Swedish national broadcaster, SVT, were aware that Zelmerlöw was struggling with drug addiction and knew of allegations of violence against his former partner, Ciara Janson. Nevertheless, they allowed him to continue competing. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Zelmerlöw, 38, was considered a leading contender to win, even for Eurovision 2025 itself, but there was significant concern behind the scenes. Production sources revealed that throughout the tour, his drug problem was widely discussed and known. According to testimonies, he used drugs during the competition and even consumed cocaine at the after-party in March. Sources claim he spoke openly about his drug use. Public Response and...

Belgium: Eurovision 2025 Judge Participated in a Pro-Palestinian Campaign

May 23, 2025 by Tal Dahan Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Belgian organization Hart Voor Israël ("Heart for Israel") is demanding an investigation by the national broadcaster after its jury gave Israel zero points at Eurovision 2025, while the public awarded Israel the maximum points. The controversy over Belgium’s Eurovision scoring for Israel continues. While the public at home awarded Israel the maximum 12 points, the Belgian jury chose not to give Israel any points. It has now been revealed that one of the jury members, singer Noémie Wolfs, participated in a pro-Palestinian campaign. In response, the organization "Hart Voor Israël" is demanding an external investigation by the Belgian national broadcaster (VRT). (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Call for Investigation into Jury Composition On Wednesday, "Hart Voor Israël" issued a public call for VRT to launch an independent investigation into the jury’s composition and its conduct. At the center of the demand is Wolfs’ participation in an Oxfam campaign with the hashtag "#SpeakUpForPalestine", which, according to...