January 2026 - Page 11 of 13

Ukraine: Wildcard Songs for “Vidbir 2026” Revealed!

January 8, 2026January 12, 2026 by Aviad Berger Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Ukraine's national broadcaster Suspilne has unveiled the six full songs competing the wildcard round for the last spot in Vidbir 2026 Ukraine’s national broadcaster, Suspilne, which leads the Vidbir 2026 national selection for Eurovision, has recently unveiled the full versions of the songs competing in the wildcard round for the tenth spot in Vidbir 2026. This is one of the most anticipated moments among fans, as it could determine the frontrunner to represent Ukraine at the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest, set to take place in Vienna, Austria. In addition, the Ukrainian public voting has officially opened to select the tenth finalist. The vote will remain open until January 10, 2026, and the chosen participant will be announced on January 15. Listen to the songs below! (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The six songs competing for Vidbir 2026: KHAYAT - Hertzi Karyotype - DNA MON FIA - Do You Hear Me? ANSTAY - by the way Marta Adamchuk - Silvered Pines OKS -...

HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 27: Dorin Or Is the Twelfth Contestant Eliminated From the Show

January 7, 2026January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Dorin Or is the twelfth contestant to bid farewell to HaKokhav HaBa. 9 contestants remain in the race, including Shira Zloof, Nave Levi, Agam Hazan, and Shaked Solomon. Full recap of Episode 27. In 13 days, the grand finale of "HaKokhav HaBa for Eurovision 2026" will take place, featuring four finalists. The winner of the competition will represent Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, which will be held in Vienna, Austria, on May 12th, 14th, and 16th. 10 contestants remain in the competition so far, but by the end of tonight’s episode, only the top 9 will continue. The production presents tonight the continuation of a new challenge that has not been done in previous seasons. Each contestant chose a hit song to perform alongside a live band. However, during the song, a signal appeared on the screen - after which they had to continue singing a-cappella, without the band’s backing. Keeping rhythm, staying in tune, and maintaining composure became crucial. The two contestants who received...

Ukraine: “Vidbir 2026” Songs to Be Revealed on January 15th

January 7, 2026January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Ukraine's national broadcaster Suspilne unveils the names of the competing songs for "Vidbir 2026", which will officially be released on January 15th at 18:00 CET. After revealing yesterday that the final will take place on February 7th, Ukraine’s national broadcaster Suspline announced today (Wednesday) through a post on its Instagram page that the ten songs competing in the Ukrainian national final "Vidbir 2026" will be unveiled next week, on January 15th, at 18:00 CET. The broadcaster also revealed the names of the competing songs. At the end of "Vidbir 2026", Ukraine’s entry for Eurovision 2026 will be chosen to compete in Vienna, Austria. Ten contestants will take part in the selection, scheduled for about a month from now. The winner of "Vidbir 2026" will be determined by a combined score of public votes (50%) and jury votes (50%) and will go on to represent Ukraine at Eurovision 2026. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); As noted, of the 15 initial candidates, nine songs...

“I Do Not Support Genocide”: “Selecția Națională” Contender Faces Possible Disqualification

January 7, 2026 by Oscar Diefenthal Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Moldova: A political statement by a leading Moldovan "Selecția Națională" contender jeopardizes his continued participation, raising complex questions about freedom of expression and Eurovision’s strict neutrality rules. An unusual controversy is shaking Moldova’s "Selecţia Naţională", after contestant Satoshi, competing with his song "Viva, Moldova!", published a political statement on his Instagram account. The post was directly linked to his song and his intention to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. The move places Moldova’s national broadcaster TRM and the EBU before a complex dilemma concerning the boundaries of freedom of expression on one of the world’s most-watched cultural stages. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); In a post that gained wide circulation, Satoshi published an explicit political statement, directly connecting his personal views to his song and to the Eurovision stage itself. Among other things, he wrote: “I do not support genocide…. If someone has something to say, to manifest I don’t see a more suitable and wider platform to say...

Portugal: RTP’s chair reveals “enormous pressure” over Israel boycott

January 7, 2026 by Maor Heumann Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Portugal’s RTP faces intense political and public pressure over Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026, yet backs EBU reforms and confirms its place in Vienna The preparations for Eurovision 2026 are in full swing, and voices from Lisbon’s corridors are revealing the scale of the battle unfolding across Europe over Israel’s participation in the contest. Nicolau Santos, chair of the board of directors of Portugal’s national broadcaster (RTP), dropped a political bombshell this week during a hearing of the Portuguese Parliament’s Committee on Culture, Communication, Youth and Sport, openly acknowledging the severe pressure the broadcaster has faced in recent months. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Gaza concert sparks controversy The heated parliamentary debate did not begin with Eurovision. Santos spoke in response to a pointed question from representatives of the right-wing party Chega, who challenged the broadcaster’s neutrality after its decision to air the concert “Juntos por Gaza” (“Together for Gaza”). To demonstrate that the broadcaster faces criticism and pressure from...

HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 26: Eitan Aharon Is the Eleventh Contestant Eliminated From the Show

January 6, 2026January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eitan Aharon is the eleventh contestant to bid farewell to HaKokhav HaBa. 10 contestants remain in the race, including Noam Bettan, Gal De Paz, and Alona Erez. Full recap of Episode 26. In exactly two weeks, the grand finale of "HaKokhav HaBa for Eurovision 2026" will take place, featuring four finalists. The winner of the competition will represent Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, which will be held in Vienna, Austria, on May 12th, 14th, and 16th. 11 contestants remain in the competition so far, but by the end of tonight’s episode, only the top 10 will continue. This evening, the production introduced a brand-new challenge never before seen in previous seasons. Each contestant chose a hit song to perform alongside a live band. However, during the song, a signal appeared on the screen - after which they had to continue singing a-cappella, without the band’s backing. Keeping rhythm, staying in tune, and maintaining composure became crucial. The two contestants who received the lowest scores of...

Bambie Thug Says She Would Perform in Russia While Boycotting Israel

January 6, 2026 by Oscar Diefenthal Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eurovision 2026 controversy intensifies after Bambie Thug states in a live broadcast she would perform in Russia, while continuing to publicly boycott Israel’s participation in the contest. Recently, Irish singer Bambie Thug sparked widespread backlash and reignited debate across Europe after remarks that many perceived as highlighting contradictions within parts of the progressive cultural sphere. Ireland’s Eurovision 2024 representative stated during a live broadcast on the social media platform “TikTok” that she would be willing to perform in Russia while continuing to boycott Israel. The statement, delivered live and recorded by viewers, draws a sharp contrast: a sustained public boycott of Israel, a democratic country and full member of the EBU, alongside cultural openness toward a country excluded from the Eurovision Song Contest following its military invasion of Ukraine. This was a direct, unequivocal public declaration without clarification or subsequent correction that intensifies the ongoing controversy surrounding Israel’s participation in Eurovision and the singer’s stance toward it. (adsbygoogle =...

Monokate Explains Why She’s Going Solo for Eurovision 2026

January 6, 2026January 12, 2026 by Oscar Diefenthal Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); It was recently revealed that Eurovision star Monokate is returning to Ukraine’s national selection. In a new interview, she explains why she chose to compete solo, without her band Go_A. One of the most exciting and talked-about surprises this year came with the release of the participant list for Ukraine’s Eurovision national selection, “Vidbir 2026.” In a complete surprise, beloved singer Monokate (Kateryna Pavlenko) was revealed as one of the contestants for the 2026 selection. The announcement sparked major excitement and anticipation among Eurovision fans across Europe and beyond. Now, Monokate opens up in a candid interview about why she decided to return this year on her own, without her band. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); “This Is the Place Where I Can Be Myself” According to Pavlenko, the decision to compete as Monokate rather than as part of Go_A stems from an artistic desire to explore new creative territories that were not possible within the band framework. “Go_A is a...

Spain: RTVE humiliates Melody on live TV

January 6, 2026January 12, 2026 by Noy Yehoyada Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Spain's RTVE mocks Eurovision representative Melody on live TV with satirical subtitles. Singer responds by embracing competitor network amid ongoing broadcaster conflict. In Spain, Eurovision may last only one week, but the drama that follows can persist far longer. Singer Melody, who represented Spain at Eurovision 2025 and finished in a disappointing 24th place, has spent recent months embroiled in a media storm with Spain's national broadcaster, RTVE. This week, during New Year's Eve celebrations, the conflict exploded once again before the entire nation. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The "me, me, me" that irritated Spain Since returning from Basel with a low score, Melody has adopted a consistent narrative: "They didn't let me do what I wanted." In press conferences and interviews, she repeatedly emphasized that the screens weren't what she requested, decisions were made over her head, and delivered her now-famous line on the talk show "El Hormiguero": "I would rather finish 24th with my own mistakes than with someone else's mistakes." This self-focused approach, where...

Eurovision 2026: Semi-Final Draw Reveals 30 Countries Grouped by Voting Patterns

January 6, 2026 by Oscar Diefenthal Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); EBU reveals Eurovision semi-final allocation draw, grouping 30 countries by voting patterns to limit bloc voting and enhance competition drama. As every year, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) conducts an allocation draw to determine the semi-final participation of the competing countries. This year, following the withdrawal of the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain, Ireland, and Iceland, 30 countries are expected to compete in the two semi-finals and were divided into five different pots (with the sixth pot consisting of countries automatically qualified for the Grand Final). The allocation is based on historical voting patterns between countries over the years and is intended to reduce neighbor and diaspora voting in order to increase suspense around the show, according to the official statement released. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Voting Patterns and Allocation Logic Each of the six pots contains countries that share a common pattern of mutual voting at the Eurovision Song Contest or close geographical proximity. Each pot...