Belgium Denies Loïc Nottet Has Been Selected for Eurovision: “No Decision Has Been Made Yet”

Belgium Denies Loïc Nottet Has Been Selected for Eurovision: “No Decision Has Been Made Yet”

by Aviad Berger Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Despite reports of Loïc Nottet returning for Eurovision 2026, the national broadcaster says Belgium's participation remains undecided amid ongoing debate. In recent days, European media reported that singer Loïc Nottet, Belgium's representative in Eurovision 2015, held in Vienna, Austria, has been chosen to once again represent Belgium at the Eurovision 2026, which will also take place in Austria. Nevertheless, sources at Belgian national broadcaster RTBF stated that no final decision has been made, and Belgium’s participation for the upcoming contest remains uncertain. “Our production teams are in contact with artists to select our representative for 2026,” a broadcaster source explained. “We must make it to the summer in case we choose to participate. The official announcement will be made at the appropriate time.” (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Belgium's Dilemma: Will They Withdraw Over the Israel Dispute? The source—who denied the reports to nieuwsblad.be—was open about the broadcaster’s hesitation: “There have been several discussions since Eurovision this year.” The comment refers to the ongoing controversy...
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Thousands of Euros for a New Documentary – Which Eurovision Representative Is Worth So Much Money?

Thousands of Euros for a New Documentary – Which Eurovision Representative Is Worth So Much Money?

by Aviad Berger Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The year’s most talked-about documentary is revealed, boasting a surprisingly high budget and never-before-seen scenes—what truly drives the national broadcaster’s massive investment? The Spanish national broadcaster (RTVE) allocated a budget of €168,922 for the new documentary "Melodiva," which documented the journey of Melody, Spain's Eurovision 2025 representative. The film followed the singer from her victory at the Spanish "Benidorm Fest" to her performance at Eurovision in Basel. This project underscored the broadcaster’s extensive coverage of Eurovision. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); On May 16, 2025, the documentary "Melodiva" aired on Spain’s "La 1" channel. With around 785,000 viewers and a 7.1% rating during prime time, the production company’s investment yielded a professional documentation of Melody’s journey, featuring exclusive footage, interviews, and comprehensive coverage from the pre-selection to the grand stage in Basel. At the same time, the special program "Divas Calling" was produced for the national broadcaster at a separate cost of €59,276. This show included...
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Netherlands: Zoë Livay Writes New Song in Hopes of Representing the Country at Eurovision

Netherlands: Zoë Livay Writes New Song in Hopes of Representing the Country at Eurovision

by Aviad Berger Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Zoë Livay reveals her new song is ready for Eurovision 2026, sparking excitement and speculation among fans about her chances and artistic direction. The Netherlands is buzzing with anticipation as singer-songwriter Zoë Livay, one of the most compelling voices in the Dutch music scene, revealed that the song she intends to use to compete for the honor of representing the country at Eurovision 2026 is already completed and awaiting its big debut. Livay’s bold move, disclosed this month, firmly places her at the center of buzz circulating around the country's upcoming selection and adds momentum to the ever-evolving conversation surrounding the Eurovision Song Contest—a nexus of entertainment, style, and drama closely followed across Europe. The Dutch national broadcaster, AVROTROS, confirmed that it will once again utilize an internal selection process to choose its act for Eurovision 2026. It officially opened the submission window for artists and composers this year, which will remain open through August 31. The Netherlands already made headlines in...
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“My Role Ends Next Spring”: Eurovision Supervisor Makes Dramatic Statement Amid Legal Dispute

“My Role Ends Next Spring”: Eurovision Supervisor Makes Dramatic Statement Amid Legal Dispute

by Aviad Berger Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Drama at the European Broadcasting Union: In a surprising legal hearing, Eurovision’s chief supervisor reveals his end date. What prompted Martin Österdahl’s announcement and what lies behind this unexpected statement? Photo: Sören Vilks Amid ongoing political disputes, public criticism, and media controversies surrounding the management of the Eurovision Song Contest, a personal front in the life of Martin Österdahl, the contest’s chief supervisor, was revealed this week. In the midst of a legal battle over his private apartment in Stockholm, the high-ranking Eurovision official made a rare statement: “My work with Eurovision will end next spring, and then I plan to return to live in Sweden.” This declaration, made during a hearing at the Rent Tribunal, comes in the context of a widely publicized legal dispute regarding his Stockholm apartment—a conflict that concluded this week with a decisive ruling requiring Österdahl to vacate the property permanently. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A Luxury Apartment, Unusual Contract, and an Unkept Promise The story began years ago,...
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Germany Threatens: “If Israel Is Removed from Eurovision – We Will Withdraw from the Contest”

Germany Threatens: “If Israel Is Removed from Eurovision – We Will Withdraw from the Contest”

by Aviad Berger Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Germany in Eurovision 2025: Amid growing controversy, Germany reportedly threatened to withdraw from Eurovision if Israel was excluded. What led Germany to make this ultimatum to ensure Israel’s participation? As the debate over Israel’s participation in Eurovision intensifies, a Turkish news site reports that one of the main reasons Israel was allowed to compete in Eurovision 2025—despite numerous calls for its removal—was a threat from Germany to withdraw if the demand was accepted. This claim comes from Dr. Martin Gak, a veteran German journalist with a clear anti-Israel stance, who cites a source within the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Threat That Saved Israel’s Spot? According to Dr. Gak, the factor that prevented Israel’s removal from Eurovision, despite mounting pressure across Europe due to the war in Gaza, was a direct ultimatum from the German national broadcaster. The cited source stated: “If Israel is removed – we will also withdraw.” Dr. Gak explained: “Germany is a very...
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Eurovision Controversy: Finland and Iceland Also Question Voting in Eurovision 2025

Eurovision Controversy: Finland and Iceland Also Question Voting in Eurovision 2025

by Aviad Berger Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Israel at Eurovision 2025: Finland and Iceland express doubts about the public vote, where Israel won with a big majority Following criticism from the national broadcasters of Spain and Belgium, Finland and Iceland have now joined the list of countries calling for a renewed examination of the Eurovision voting system. This marks another development in the growing wave of criticism following the results of Eurovision 2025, with countries taking a critical stance toward Israel questioning the transparency and reliability of the current voting process. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Finland Seeks Change—But Proceeds with Caution The chief entertainment producer of the Finnish national broadcaster Yle, Juha Lahti, confirmed that Finland will raise the issue of voting with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). According to him, this has been a subject of ongoing discussion in Finland. Lahti clarified: “We will ask the EBU to consider whether it is time to update the rules, or at least to examine if...
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The Netherlands Joins Call for Discussion on Israel’s Participation in Eurovision

The Netherlands Joins Call for Discussion on Israel’s Participation in Eurovision

by Aviad Berger Comment Closed
  (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Ongoing debate: The Netherlands has joined calls for a discussion on Israel’s participation in Eurovision. Will this move prompt an official response from the European Broadcasting Union? The controversy surrounding Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2025 continues, with the Netherlands now joining the list of countries calling for a thorough and meaningful discussion on the issue. The Dutch national broadcasters, AVROTROS and NPO, released a joint statement requesting that the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) hold an organized and official dialogue regarding the role and nature of Eurovision, given the growing political influences on the contest. In their joint statement, the broadcasters wrote: “AVROTROS and NPO attach great importance to the apolitical and unifying value of the Eurovision Song Contest. However, we observe that the event is increasingly affected by social and geopolitical pressures. Israel’s participation raises the question—to what extent does Eurovision still function as a cultural, unifying, and apolitical event? We wish to raise this question, together with...
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Belgian Broadcasters Seek Greater Transparency from EBU Regarding Eurovision Voting

Belgian Broadcasters Seek Greater Transparency from EBU Regarding Eurovision Voting

by Aviad Berger Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eurovision 2025: Belgium’s major national broadcasters and the ruling party are calling for increased transparency from the European Broadcasting Union, raising questions about the voting process and participation in the contest. For the first time since the media storm erupted in Belgium over the public vote at Eurovision 2025, the French-speaking national broadcaster RTBF has broken its silence—publicly supporting the Flemish broadcaster VRT’s demand for full transparency from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). In measured yet unequivocal language, the broadcaster clarified: “In light of ongoing discussions regarding the voting system, RTBF supports the need to ensure the highest levels of transparency.” (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Alternating Responsibility: The Link Between VRT and RTBF Unlike most European countries, Belgium is divided between two public national broadcasters by language region: VRT is responsible for the Flemish (Dutch-speaking) region, while RTBF covers the French-speaking area. Responsibility for Belgium’s participation in Eurovision alternates between them—one year under VRT, the...
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Marko Bošnjak Attacks: “Israel Must Be Banned from Eurovision—Period”

Marko Bošnjak Attacks: “Israel Must Be Banned from Eurovision—Period”

by Aviad Berger Comment Closed
  (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Croatia at Eurovision 2025: A true "Poison Cake"—after his embarrassing elimination, Croatia’s representative lashes out at Israel, Ukraine, and reveals what he really thinks about Eurovision. Marko Bošnjak, who was chosen to represent Croatia at Eurovision 2025 with the song "Poison Cake", appears unwilling to accept his failure to qualify for the final. Just days after the contest’s conclusion—having finished only 12th out of 15 in the first semi-final with 28 points—the singer posted a lengthy and emotional Instagram story, venting his frustration, expressing controversial opinions, and directly attacking Israel’s participation in the contest. The video was released days after Eurovision ended, at a time when participants are no longer bound by the code of conduct they signed at the beginning of the process. Bošnjak used this opportunity to publish particularly harsh stories, voicing strong political views, dismissing the spirit of the competition, and employing especially blunt language. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "I Have Only Love for Ukraine, But...
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Eurovision Director Responds to Criticism in Spain: “Our System Is the Most Advanced in the World”

Eurovision Director Responds to Criticism in Spain: “Our System Is the Most Advanced in the World”

by Aviad Berger Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Following the Spanish national broadcaster’s inquiry about voting for Israel, the Eurovision director delivers a clear response defending the integrity of the voting process without leaving room for interpretation Just days after the conclusion of the Eurovision 2025 grand final in Basel, where Israel’s representative Yuval Raphael secured second place and first in the public vote, a controversy arose in Spain regarding the local voting results. The Spanish national broadcaster RTVE approached the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) demanding transparency on how the Spanish public vote was allocated, as Spain awarded Israel the full 12 points for the second consecutive year—a result that sparked public and political criticism. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); EBU’s Response to Spain’s Allegations Following the official inquiry from the Spanish national broadcaster, Martin Green, Eurovision’s executive supervisor, responded directly. In statements given to the news agency EFE and shared with the press, he rejected insinuations of manipulation or problems with the voting system and...
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