Month: June 2025

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); After record-breaking ratings and bold reforms, Eurovision’s Executive Supervisor steps down ahead of the 70th anniversary—raising crucial questions about the contest’s future leadership and direction. In mid-summer 2025, Martin Österdahl announced he would be stepping down from his role as Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest and Junior Eurovision Song Contest, following five years that marked a digital transformation, deep administrative reforms, and unforgettable milestones. His dramatic resignation shakes the European entertainment industry and has direct implications for Eurovision's future as the contest nears its 70th anniversary. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); What Happened and Why It Matters Amid the backdrop of Eurovision 2025 in Basel, Martin Österdahl—who had served as Executive Supervisor since 2021—announced the end of his tenure. He oversaw landmark events: Rotterdam during the COVID-19 pandemic (2021), the unprecedented hosting of Eurovision by the BBC in Liverpool on behalf of Ukraine (2023), the infamous Malmö edition (2024), and the record-breaking contest in Basel (2025). Österdahl spearheaded bold...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Graz will not host Eurovision 2026 after the Austrian city, once considered a frontrunner, withdrew its candidacy due to a lack of funding, with €29 million in costs left uncovered. The municipality of Graz, Austria, has officially announced it will not submit a bid to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. The reason: budget constraints, after both the federal government and the Styrian regional government declined to contribute to the estimated €29 million cost. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Economic and Cultural Impact: Who Will Replace Graz? Graz's withdrawal has reopened the race among Austrian cities interested in hosting the upcoming Eurovision – including Vienna, Innsbruck, and St. Pölten. Tourism industry stakeholders across Austria have expressed disappointment at the decision, viewing it as a missed opportunity with significant economic, cultural, and tourism potential. Graz was considered an attractive candidate due to its central location, accessible transport infrastructure, and previous preparations to host large-scale international events. Under...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Vienna receives official backing from the city council to host Eurovision 2026. All the latest on Austria's frontrunning bid, economic impacts, and behind-the-scenes dynamics of the Eurovision. The City of Vienna has received official support from the municipal council to bid for Eurovision 2026, positioning Austria’s capital as a leading contender to host the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, expected to take place in May 2026. The decision was passed with a solid majority and garnered wide backing from the city’s major political parties, placing Vienna at the forefront of a national competition among several other Austrian cities. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eurovision 2026: More Than a Musical Celebration – A Cultural and Economic Catalyst Hosting Eurovision 2026 is not merely a matter of prestige – the event generates significant tourism, investment, and global media attention. Vienna, which last hosted the contest in 2015, boasts cutting-edge infrastructure, 82,000 hotel beds across 433...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eurovision 2025 shattered records with millions of TV viewers, expansion to new platforms, and tremendous economic success for Basel. Here are all the key figures and insights. Eurovision 2025, held this past May in Basel, Switzerland, was not only a thrilling spectacle for hundreds of millions of viewers - it also became a cultural, digital, and economic powerhouse. According to a recent impact report published by the research department of the EBU, this was one of the most significant editions in the competition’s history. More than 166 million viewers experienced the event via television, over 83 million watched content on YouTube, and for the first time, the gaming platform Roblox participated in the Eurovision Song Contest, offering a groundbreaking virtual viewing experience. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Beyond Ratings: A Global Cultural and Social Phenomenon The numbers are impressive, but the true strength of Eurovision lies in its unique blend of culture, technology, and a cross-border audience experience. The viewing rate...