Eurovision’s Winning Formula: The Power of the Running Order

Eurovision’s Winning Formula: The Power of the Running Order

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Strategic placement, betting predictions, or pure luck? The fourth article in "The Eurovision Formula” series explores how the running order can impact a contestant’s chances of victory. Article by Ilay Gaist and Noy Yehoyada. Every year, with the revival of the Eurovision season, thousands of viewers, fans, and professional jurors attempt to crack the code how to win at Eurovision: What is the secret formula that leads a country to first place? Do audiences tend to favor songs performed early in the show, or do they remember those closing the night? In this fourth installment of “The Eurovision Formula” series, we dive deep into the historic data to explore one of the most significant factors: Does a song’s position in the running order actually affect its final score? (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Allocation of Running Order: Luck, Choice, or Planning? Until 2013, performance positions in the Eurovision final were determined randomly by draw. Each participating country drew its position in the performance...
Read More
Australia Divided Over Eurovision 2026 – How SBS Responds to the Israel Controversy

Australia Divided Over Eurovision 2026 – How SBS Responds to the Israel Controversy

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Will Australia boycott Eurovision 2026? SBS responds to political criticism and chooses to remain neutral regarding Israel’s participation – here are all the details behind the controversy. As Australian politicians call for a strong stance against Israel, the national broadcaster SBS has opted for a different approach – maintaining neutrality. The decision not to take a position on Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 has sparked debate in the local parliament. As accusations and boycott calls spread, SBS insists on continuing business as usual – preserving Australia’s decades-long musical link to Europe. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A Storm in the Aussie Parliament During a heated parliamentary session, Green Party Senator Mehreen Faruqi criticized the network’s decision: “Israel is set to perform pop songs while it bombs Palestinian children. If Israel participates, will Australia withdraw or provide media coverage?” Acting CEO Jane Palfreyman responded that during such sensitive times, a public broadcaster must remain neutral and refrain from taking political sides. Later in the session, SBS’s head of public...
Read More
Will the BBC Turn Its Back on Israel Again? The Dilemma Stirring the United Kingdom

Will the BBC Turn Its Back on Israel Again? The Dilemma Stirring the United Kingdom

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Israel at Eurovision 2026 – yes or no? BBC Director General admits the decision on Israel’s participation is “very complex”. Full details behind the United Kingdom’s stance ahead of the dramatic vote. Between the corridors of the British national broadcaster, the BBC - long accused of anti-Israeli bias - one of the most sensitive decisions is taking shape: How will the United Kingdom vote regarding Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026? Employees, journalists, and managers are demanding a clear answer from Director General Tim Davie, yet he prefers to wait. Will the national broadcaster remain committed to the principle of an apolitical competition, or join the voices calling for Israel’s exclusion - a country that has won the contest four times but now provokes global controversy? (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Pressure on Davie from BBC staff and viewers is mounting over whether the broadcaster will support Israel or side with calls to expel Israel’s national broadcaster...
Read More
Olly Turned Down Eurovision, and Now Reveals – Does He Regret It?

Olly Turned Down Eurovision, and Now Reveals – Does He Regret It?

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Two months after Olly, winner of Sanremo 2025, gave up representing Italy at Eurovision in Basel, he finally talks about his decision – does he regret walking away? A few months ago, we reported that Olly, who won Italy’s Sanremo Festival with the song “Balorda nostalgia” (“Foolish Nostalgia”), announced that he would forgo the right to represent Italy at Eurovision 2025, which took place in Basel, Switzerland. In his place, runner-up Lucio Corsi represented the country with his song “Volevo essere un duro” (in English: “I Wanted to Be Tough”), bringing Italy to an impressive fifth place. At the time, Olly announced his withdrawal from the opportunity to represent Italy via an Instagram post: “I truly believe that I need to reconnect with everything happening to me right now, before looking further ahead, before continuing with my beloved live performances… That’s why I’ve decided to give up the opportunity to take part in Eurovision”. Now, for the first time since the contest ended, Olly reflects...
Read More
Spain: Contestant list for “Benidorm 2026” revealed

Spain: Contestant list for “Benidorm 2026” revealed

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Spain’s national broadcaster has unveiled the 18 artists competing in “Benidorm Fest 2026”, the show that will determine Spain’s entry for Eurovision 2026. Discover the full lineup and event dates. Spain’s national broadcaster RTVE continues preparations for the upcoming “Benidorm Fest 2026”, the show that has chosen Spain’s Eurovision representative since 2022. This year, 870 songs were submitted - down from the record 1,000 entries submitted last year, yet slightly higher than 825 in 2024 and close to the 876 submitted in 2023. A selection committee from RTVE listened to all submissions and chose the best 18 songs for the live festival. Today, the national broadcaster held a press conference revealing the names of the contestants. The participating songs will be officially released on December 18th, 2025. Despite the recent statement by Spain’s board of directors that Spain would withdraw from Eurovision 2026 if Israel is allowed to participate, RTVE continues preparations “as usual”. The broadcaster emphasized that the Benidorm...
Read More
Klavdia: “I Didn’t Expect 12 Points from Israel After Last Year’s Events”

Klavdia: “I Didn’t Expect 12 Points from Israel After Last Year’s Events”

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Klavdia, Greece’s representative at Eurovision 2025, shares in an interview her experiences from Basel and the big surprise in the grand final - 12 points from Israel. Why was she surprised? And who made her doubt the score from Israel? Klavdia, Greece’s representative for Eurovision 2025, shared today (Tuesday) in an interview about her experiences during the contest. Among other things, the Greek artist described her emotions during the second semi-final evening, up until she was announced last as a qualifier for the grand final. She also shared her thoughts on the unexpected 12 points from Israel and revealed the figure who made her question that score. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Klavdia is shocked: “I was surprised when I saw we got 12 points from Israel”. In an interview with the Greek show "Τσάι με ΛεμόΝ1", Klavdia revealed that when asked about the tense moments during the final — which she concluded in a respectable...
Read More
San Marino: The Entry for Eurovision 2026 to Be Chosen on March 1st

San Marino: The Entry for Eurovision 2026 to Be Chosen on March 1st

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); San Marino’s national broadcaster SMRTV will select its Eurovision entry for 2026 through San Marino Song Contest, whoch will take place on March 1st. San Marino’s national broadcaster SMRTV announced on Monday that it will select its local representative for Eurovision 2026 on March 1st, through the traditional San Marino Song Contest. Reports indicate that the upcoming edition of the contest will undergo another significant structural change. Starting this year, the event will follow a format similar to Eurovision itself, featuring two semi-finals and a grand final - unlike last year’s format, which consisted of seven separate semi-finals. The country’s new head of delegation, Denny Montesi, also revealed a new preparatory stage called “Stage Live Academy”, due to take place during February before the two semi-finals. This phase aims to serve as a professional training platform for the participants ahead of their appearance on the main stage. It is designed to enhance the contest’s position as an independent and progressive musical hub...
Read More
North Macedonia: “With the right strategic planning – we might manage to return to Eurovision”

North Macedonia: “With the right strategic planning – we might manage to return to Eurovision”

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
  (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); North Macedonia has not yet confirmed participation in Eurovision 2026, but could strategic plans for 2027 mark its comeback? MRT Council President shares details about the country's Eurovision future. Davor Pašoski, head of the MRT Council, disclosed during a Board of Directors meeting on September 19th early plans to broadcast Eurovision 2026 from Vienna, Austria. Although the country has not yet confirmed participation, the rising public pressure to return is making its mark, with signs pointing to a possible comeback – if not in 2026, then potentially in 2027. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Particularly encouraging statements came from Pašoski regarding a Macedonian Eurovision comeback. In a meeting with Zaharija Vulgarakis, Chair of the national broadcaster, it was revealed that MRT's budget is expected to be approved by the Macedonian government and may expand if the country returns to Eurovision. These details emerged after Vulgarakis addressed the country's absence in recent editions, citing financial and organizational difficulties as the cause between 2023 and 2025. Additional optimism came from another...
Read More
End of an Era in Italy’s Sanremo: Carlo Conti Bids Farewell to the Stage, and Everyone In Italy is Talking About It

End of an Era in Italy’s Sanremo: Carlo Conti Bids Farewell to the Stage, and Everyone In Italy is Talking About It

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); End of an era: Carlo Conti, the man who became a symbol of Featival Di Sanremo, ends his journey after more than 40 years with RAI and five unforgettable editions as host and artistic director. Featival Di Sanremo 2026 will mark a historic moment not only for Italian music but also as a farewell to one of its defining figures. Carlo Conti, the cheerful yet meticulous television personality who led the iconic event over five editions, has announced that the upcoming festival will be his last as both host and artistic director. For many in Italy - and Eurovision fans in Israel - this truly signals the end of an era. Featival Di Sanremo is widely regarded as one of Italy’s most respected and influential music events, held annually in the coastal city of Sanremo in northern Italy. Beyond its role as a national cultural celebration, the festival has a deep historical connection - it inspired the very...
Read More
Is the German Public Opposes Israel’s Participation in Eurovision 2026?

Is the German Public Opposes Israel’s Participation in Eurovision 2026?

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Is Germany with Israel or against? An in-depth analysis of a new survey examining the political implications of Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 and its perception among the German public. As the debate across Europe intensifies over Israel’s place in Eurovision 2026, Germany finds itself at the heart of the storm. In a country where historical and cultural ties with the Jewish people are deeply charged, a heated public discussion is taking place regarding Israel’s participation. Against the backdrop of mounting boycotts in countries like the Netherlands and Spain, and amid heated discussions within the EBU, it comes as no surprise that the issue has also taken center stage in Germany. The national broadcaster in Germany has previously expressed support for Israel’s participation in the contest, but what does the German public truly think? (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Germany Still Standing with Israel? A new survey conducted in Germany by the national broadcaster ARD reveals...
Read More