June 2025 - Page 6 of 7

Backstage Crisis: Which Country Is Threatening to Withdraw from Eurovision and Why?

June 14, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eurovision in crisis: Which additional country is threatening to withdraw from Eurovision 2026, and what is the reason for these threats? Three countries have so far threatened to leave the contest. San Marino, the small nation that sent Gabry Ponte with the song "Tutta L'Italia" to Eurovision 2025, is seriously considering withdrawing from next year’s contest. The CEO of the San Marino national broadcaster SMRTV, Roberto Sergio, expressed deep frustration in an interview with local media over the lack of transparency in both the public and jury voting. Sergio did not hide his anger: “The situation is not clear to us at all. There is a lack of transparency in the public voting, the jury, and the results. Under these conditions, we are seriously considering not participating in Eurovision in the coming years”. San Marino’s threat joins criticism from other national broadcasters such as VRT from Belgium and RTVSLO from Slovenia, which are also demanding changes to the voting...

Eurovision 2026 in Austria: Innsbruck Joins the Race to Host the Contest

June 14, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Innsbruck has officially joined the race to host Eurovision 2026 in Austria, competing against Vienna and Graz. Will this Alpine city lead Europe’s biggest musical event of the year? Innsbruck, the mountainous city in western Austria, has officially joined the race to host Eurovision 2026 after its city council approved the submission of its candidacy. The decision makes Innsbruck one of the leading contenders for the opportunity to host the Eurovision Song Contest, which will take place in Austria this year following JJ’s victory in the grand final in Basel. The grand final is expected to be held on May 16th or 23rd, 2026, with all eyes in Europe turned toward the winning country. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eurovision 2026 as a Game-Changing Event The preparations for Eurovision 2026 in Austria are already influencing the local entertainment industry: the national broadcaster, ORF, is postponing television programs and channeling vast resources into producing the event, recognizing that this...

The Country That Almost Ended Eurovision: What Lies Behind the Big 5 System?

June 10, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); One decision changed Eurovision forever: how five European countries guarantee a final spot every year-and the economic crisis that nearly wiped out the contest. And how did Dana International affected this move? In a contest where we debate song quality annually, some have long secured guaranteed entry to the final-regardless of their song's merit. The Big 5 have become synonymous with privilege in Eurovision, but few understand how this decision was born and what led to it. Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, and Italy enjoy permanent final spots, no matter the quality of their entries. How did they become untouchable? Was it a default choice or a power move to save the contest? And what happened in 1996 when Germany nearly pushed Eurovision to the brink of collapse? This article dives deep into the story everyone has heard but few truly grasp. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Song That Nearly Bankrupted Eurovision Eurovision 1996 caused significant...

Albania Confirms Participation in Eurovision 2026!

June 10, 2025July 16, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Albania’s national broadcaster, RTSH, has officially confirmed the country’s participation in Eurovision 2026 in Austria. The Albanian representative will be selected through the “Festivali i Këngës”, the nation’s traditional national selection event. Albania’s national broadcaster, RTSH, has officially confirmed that Albania will participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, set to take place in Austria. As in previous years, the country’s representative and song will be chosen through the traditional “Festivali i Këngës”, scheduled for this December. With this announcement, Albania joins the list of countries that have already secured their spot in Europe’s largest musical event. Albania is the 15th country to express interest in Eurovision 2026, following Denmark, Greece, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Finland, the Netherlands, Serbia, Switzerland, Malta, Luxembourg, and the host country, Austria. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Albania in Eurovision: Tradition, Identity, and High Hopes for 2026 The announcement of Albania’s participation in Eurovision 2026 highlights the country’s longstanding commitment to the contest,...

Luxembourg Confirms Participation in Eurovision 2026!

June 10, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Luxembourg’s national broadcaster, RTL, has confirmed the country’s participation in Eurovision 2026 in Austria. The representative will be selected through the “Luxembourg Song Contest 2026” national selection. Luxembourg has officially confirmed: the country will participate in Eurovision 2026, which will be held in Austria. This will mark Luxembourg’s third appearance since its return to the contest in 2024. The next representative will once again be chosen through the local pre-selection, the “Luxembourg Song Contest”, produced by the national broadcaster RTL. Luxembourg is the 14th country to express interest in Eurovision 2026, following Denmark, Greece, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Finland, the Netherlands, Serbia, Switzerland, Malta, and the host country, Austria. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A European Trend, Economic Challenges, and Musical Renewal Luxembourg’s decision to continue in Eurovision, despite a disappointing result in Basel (22nd place in the grand final), reflects the cultural and political importance of the contest for smaller nations. In discussions I held with Eurovision...

After a 12-Year Absence – Will Slovakia Return to Eurovision?

June 10, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Slovakia may return to Eurovision after a 12-year hiatus, pending commercial support and approval from the new management. Is this decision final? After a 12-year absence, a surprising turn of events has emerged from the Eastern European nation: the Slovak national broadcaster, RTVS, has confirmed that it is reconsidering participation in Eurovision, provided that favorable financial and artistic conditions are met. This marks the first official signal from the country since 2012 and is particularly intriguing in light of the recent wave of smaller countries seeking creative ways to secure their spot in Eurovision 2026. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A New Outlook – Hope Under New Management According to Filip Púchovský, spokesperson for the communications and marketing department at RTVS, the main obstacle preventing Slovakia's participation in recent years has always been budgetary. However, this time there is openness to working with commercial partners. “Many small countries participate in the contest thanks to private sector and sponsor support, [...] and Slovakia...

Italy: A Revolution at Sanremo – Landmark Ruling Changes the Rules of the Game

June 9, 2025 by Guy Solo Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A court ruling in Italy obligates the city of Sanremo to launch a public tender for the production of the iconic festival in the coming years. What this means for RAI and Eurovision? A seismic shift has occurred at the Sanremo Music Festival: Italy's top administrative court has annulled the direct assignment of production rights to RAI, the national broadcaster, for the years 2026–2028. The court has ordered the city of Sanremo to initiate a public bidding process. The decision, handed down on May 29, 2025, reshapes one of Italy’s most revered cultural institutions and sets a powerful legal precedent for national events and broadcasting rights — with potential consequences for Italy’s future participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Legal Battle That Changed Everything The definitive ruling by the Consiglio di Stato (Council of State) rejected all appeals from RAI, its advertising subsidiary, and the City of Sanremo, upholding a prior decision by the...

Eurovision 2026: Austria and the European Broadcasting Union Begin Preparations!

June 6, 2025 by Tal Dahan Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A delegation from the European Broadcasting Union met yesterday with Austrian national broadcaster executives to initiate preparations for Eurovision 2026, which will be held in Austria as the contest’s 70th edition. The Austrian national broadcaster, ORF, winner of Eurovision 2025, has begun preparations to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2026—the 70th anniversary of Europe’s largest music event. Yesterday, a formal meeting took place in Vienna between ORF management and a delegation from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), led by Thomas Ramstorfer, a key figure in Austrian Eurovision productions. During the meeting, ORF representatives emphasized their commitment to a world-class production: “We at ORF have committed to hosting an Eurovision in 2026 that fully meets the standards of the world’s biggest TV entertainment show.” (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Host City Still Undecided—Vienna and Surrounding Areas in Focus Despite Austria’s victory, the host city has yet to be determined. ORF is still considering various options, with Vienna...

Italy: Sanremo 2026 Festival Postponed – Here’s Why the Schedule Has Been Changed

June 6, 2025 by Guy Solo Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Sanremo 2026 was postponed to late February due to the Winter Olympics. Why is Italy sidelining its most iconic festival? Sanremo 2026, which also serves as Italy’s national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest, will be held unusually late this year – from February 24 to 28 – instead of early February as is customary. The change comes as a result of the Winter Olympics in Milan, prioritized by the Italian national broadcaster, RAI. This significant shift in the country's broadcasting schedule is expected to impact the ever-tightening relationship between the festival and the Eurovision Song Contest. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Sacrificing the Festival for Olympic Ratings The decision by the Italian national broadcaster to postpone the prestigious festival – one of the cornerstones of Italian pop culture and among the oldest music festivals in the world – stems from the high commercial potential of the Winter Olympics. According to sources in Rome, February is expected to be a...

Eurovision Murder Mystery: Germany and the Netherlands Launch an Innovative Collaboration!

June 5, 2025 by Ofek Jerassi Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Who is the murderer at Eurovision? Germany and the Netherlands have announced a unique collaboration—the production of a series titled “Eurovision Murder Mystery,” introducing a concept never before seen on television! The German national broadcaster NDR and the Dutch broadcaster BNNVARA have announced a joint production of a new series titled “Eurovision Murder Mystery.” This series will blend the glamour of Eurovision with a detective thriller plot, offering audiences an experience never before seen on European screens. Currently, the production is awaiting final approval from the content committees of the German national broadcaster, but the new series is already generating significant excitement among Eurovision fans and crime drama enthusiasts alike. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); NDR, which led Germany’s Eurovision participation from 1996 to 2025, brings extensive experience in international music productions to the project. The partnership with the innovative Dutch broadcaster BNNVARA creates fertile ground for a pioneering television experiment. While no details about...