Greek national broadcaster ERT announces “Ethnikos Telikos 2026”, inviting the public to participate in the Eurovision national final. What led to the decision, the inspiration, and can Greece continue its recent success?
The Greek national broadcaster ERT has officially confirmed the return of “Ethnikos Telikos 2026” ahead of Eurovision 2026, in hopes of recreating and building on Greece’s recent successes in the world’s biggest song contest. In the coming days, the criteria and full details for submitting an entry will be published, with the submission window expected to remain open for approximately two months.
Hoping to Rekindle Success
The broadcasts of the 2025 final reached ratings as high as 70%, and this, together with the historic sixth place in Basel, has brought great satisfaction to the Greek national broadcaster. The decision to continue with a national selection format seems almost inevitable. Sources in the Greek entertainment industry have indicated that various formats are under consideration, including splitting the competition into semi-finals and extending the selection process into a full week. However, the official communication from the national broadcaster did not mention any change in the format.
A New Era for Greece?
More than five decades after its debut in the contest in 1974, Greece is signaling the dawn of a new era. One of the main factors that persuaded ERT management to bet on a TV format with mass participation is the profitability of the broadcast: last year, the broadcaster earned more from the competition than production costs, thanks to global streaming, digital campaigns, and international collaborations.
As a Eurovision commentator and content creator on the EuroMix website, I have witnessed a sharp rise in inquiries from artists and singers eager to take part in the Greek selection – some even from neighboring countries. Part of the selection’s success relies on the passion of both the local audience and the Greek diaspora across Europe, who rally every year to vote and make an impact. This also serves an educational value by promoting contemporary Greek music and strengthening national pride.
One recurring dilemma discussed within the EuroMix community is how well the expanded format can maintain interest, especially given the proliferation of similar competitions throughout Europe, and what this all means for Greece, which has reached a record achievement after several less successful years in the previous decade.
Greece at Eurovision 2025
“Asteromáta” (translated as: “Eyes of Stars”) is the song performed by Klavdia, who represented Greece in the grand final of Eurovision 2025. Greece finished sixth in the grand final with 231 points.
Eurovision 2025: This was Greece’s 45th participation in Eurovision. Greece joined the competition in 1974 and achieved its best result in Eurovision 2005 when singer Helena Paparizou won first place with the song “My Number One”.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +972-50-9441919
Ilay Gaist is a leading Israeli content creator and writer specializing in the Eurovision Song Contest. He is a well-known commentator with extensive expertise in the contest’s history, rules, and dynamics. His passion for Eurovision drives him to deliver rich, professional, and innovative content to his audience.
Ilay holds a bachelor’s degree in Arabic and has a multilingual background. He also engages in cultural research, with a particular focus on global culinary traditions and the evolution of local cuisines around the world.
