Ksenija Horvat: “Slovenia May Not Participate in Eurovision 2026”

Ksenija Horvat: “Slovenia May Not Participate in Eurovision 2026”

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Slovenian national broadcaster RTVSLO is expected to withdraw from participating in Eurovision 2026, amid ongoing debates regarding Israel's inclusion, and is currently holding internal discussions on the matter. The Slovenian national broadcaster, RTVSLO, headed by Ksenija Horvat, is among the leading voices against Israel within the EBU. At the annual meeting of the Slovenian broadcaster this week, the agenda included, among other topics, the issue of whether the country should participate in Eurovision 2026. The discussion stemmed primarily from the meeting of the planning–production committee (PPN), which dealt with proposals to adjust the entertainment department’s programming. Eurovision participation emerged as a significant factor in the debate. Could Slovenia be preparing to withdraw from the upcoming competition? (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Originally, RTVSLO planned to introduce a new show in the fall, modeled after Israel’s “The Next Star for Eurovision” — a competitive music program featuring both established and emerging artists, infused with humor and rivalry, with contestants advancing...
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Eurovision’s Winning Formula: Women, Men & The Unbreakable Code

Eurovision’s Winning Formula: Women, Men & The Unbreakable Code

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Women, men, or groups? In the third article of “The Eurovision Formula” series, we reveal whether there is a winning gender-based formula and uncover surprising data. 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 prefer solo male singers? solo female singers? Or perhaps they favor bands? In the series “The Eurovision Formula”, we dive into historical data. In this article, we take a closer look at one of the contest’s most central criteria: is there a gender advantage on the road to Eurovision glory? (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Gender in Eurovision: From Soloists to Groups and Beyond Throughout Eurovision’s history, the stage has been filled with all kinds of performers – solo vocalists, duos, and full-scale bands. Yet, when analyzing patterns...
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Czechia Confirms Participation in Eurovision 2026!

Czechia Confirms Participation in Eurovision 2026!

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Czech national broadcaster ČT has officially opened the song submission window for the Czech selection process, thereby confirming its participation in Eurovision 2026, which will be held in Vienna, Austria. Czechia’s representative will be chosen internally. The Czech national broadcaster ČT has confirmed the country’s participation in Eurovision 2026, which will take place in Vienna, Austria. Czechia is the 26th country to express interest in participating in Eurovision 2026, following Albania, Australia, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the host country, Austria. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Czech national broadcaster ČT has launched the selection process, inviting artists, composers, and producers to submit their songs between September 3rd and October 19th, 2025. Once again, the Czech entry will be chosen through an internal selection process, marking the second consecutive year this method is used. According to the broadcaster, the decision will be made through a combination of jury and audience voting. The decision has...
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Céline Dion: New Details on the Huge Comeback That Didn’t Happen at Eurovision 2025

Céline Dion: New Details on the Huge Comeback That Didn’t Happen at Eurovision 2025

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The rumors and excitement surrounding Céline Dion’s anticipated comeback at Eurovision 2025 made fans believe the big moment was near. Now, months after the disappointment, the long-awaited explanations finally arrive. Céline Dion, Eurovision 1988 winner representing Switzerland and one of the greatest singers of all time, was expected to make a historic comeback on the Eurovision stage in the country where she triumphed. In May, rumors spread about the singer’s presence in Basel, the host city of Eurovision 2025, and her preparations for a potential surprise performance in the grand final. Now it turns out the comeback was indeed meant to happen! (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Historic Comeback That Was Canceled According to the French newspaper Le Parisien, after months of rumors and speculation, we now learn for the first time that Eurovision legend Céline Dion, was on the verge of stepping onto the Basel stage. However, the historic comeback was canceled at the very...
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Australia Confirms Participation in Eurovision 2026!

Australia Confirms Participation in Eurovision 2026!

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Australian national broadcaster SBS has confirmed the country’s participation in Eurovision 2026, to be held in Vienna, Austria. The method for selecting Australia’s entry has not yet been decided. The Australian national broadcaster SBS has confirmed the country’s participation in Eurovision 2026, which will take place in Vienna, Austria. Australia is the 25th country to express interest in participating in Eurovision 2026, following Albania, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the host country, Austria. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); SBS issued the confirmation earlier today (Wednesday) to the blog TV Tonight Australia, with the official statement later published via the blog’s X account, declaring: “Yes, Australia will compete at Eurovision in Vienna”. #SBSUpfront #SBS2026 Yes Australia will compete at #Eurovision in Vienna — TV Tonight Australia (@tvtonightau) September 3, 2025 No additional details were provided regarding the Australian selection process. However, reviewing past selection methods reveals that only three entries (2019, 2020, and 2022) were chosen via the national...
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EBU: “No Country Has Officially Requested Israel’s Exclusion from Eurovision!”

EBU: “No Country Has Officially Requested Israel’s Exclusion from Eurovision!”

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The EBU revealed today that no national broadcaster has officially submitted a request to exclude Israel from Eurovision! So, what is all the commotion about, and will Israel take part in Eurovision 2026? Over recent months, we have witnessed a growing public storm over Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026. At the beginning of July, a meeting was held in London where delegates from EBU member states discussed, among other topics, Israel’s place in the upcoming contest. Slovenia and Iceland threatened to withdraw from Eurovision if Israel were to participate, with the latter confirming just days ago its own participation in Eurovision 2026. Alongside them, Belgium, Ireland, and Spain have been leading an anti-Israeli stance within the EBU. Could all this uproar against Israel ultimately fail to produce an actual exclusion from Eurovision? (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); No National Broadcaster Has Requested Israel’s Expulsion The Dutch branch of Luxembourg’s national broadcaster, RTL Nieuws, revealed today that not...
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Eurovision 2026: Auditions Open for Stand-In Singers and Dancers

Eurovision 2026: Auditions Open for Stand-In Singers and Dancers

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Auditions for the Eurovision 2026 stand-in shows in Vienna will be held December 19th-20th. Apply for singer or dancer roles by December 14th Auditions for singers, dancers, and performers for Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria, will take place on December 19th-20th. Successful candidates will perform in the stand-in shows, where local artists present previews of each act’s stage performance to delegations before the competing artists arrive for rehearsals two weeks later. Some of the selected performers may also take part in the live shows. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The auditions are managed by Motions by Dietmann, founded by Marvin Dietmann, who has served as Eurovision’s creative director since 2011. Professional singers can submit their applications here, while professional dancers can apply here. The deadline for all submissions is December 14th. The 2015 Team Returns to Lead Eurovision 2026 Heading the production of Eurovision 2026 is Michael Krön, the executive producer from the Austrian national broadcaster ORF. He will oversee the...
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Montenegro: Eurovision 2026 Representative to Be Chosen Through “Montesong”

Montenegro: Eurovision 2026 Representative to Be Chosen Through “Montesong”

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Montenegro’s national broadcaster RTCG confirmed that the country’s Eurovision 2026 representative will again be chosen through "Montesong". Rules for the second edition of the contest were revealed today. The Montenegrin national broadcaster RTCG has confirmed that Montenegro’s Eurovision 2026 entrant will be chosen once again through "Montesong". This marks the second consecutive year that the country will select its representative through the festival. Alongside the announcement, the broadcaster published the full set of rules for the upcoming competition. A date for "Montesong 2025" has not yet been announced. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Rules for "Montesong 2025": RTCG revealed the regulations for the second edition of the contest, which will serve as the country’s pre-selection for Eurovision 2026: All songs must comply with the general Eurovision rules. Songs must not be published or performed before September 1st, 2025. Competing performers must hold Montenegrin citizenship. Songwriters may be of any nationality. Each songwriter can submit a maximum of two songs for...
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Alenka Gotar: “We Will Probably Withdraw This Year Due to Israel’s Participation”

Alenka Gotar: “We Will Probably Withdraw This Year Due to Israel’s Participation”

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Alenka Gotar, Slovenian Eurovision representative in 2007, warns Slovenia will likely withdraw from the contest this year due to Israel’s participation, reflecting growing tensions between RTVSLO and Israel. The Slovenian national broadcaster, RTVSLO, has in recent years maintained a very tense relationship with Israel, against the backdrop of the opposition from the country’s left-wing government to Israel’s participation in the contest. The national broadcaster, led by Ksenija Horvat, has been one of the main drivers of action against Israel within the EBU. The Slovenian Eurovision representative in 2007, Alenka Gotar, who in better days was at the center of decision-making within the national broadcaster, expressed pessimism regarding the country’s participation in Eurovision. According to her, Slovenia is almost certain to withdraw this year because of Israel’s participation. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Until 2022, Slovenia was led by Janez Janša, a staunchly pro-Israeli leader. During his tenure, Gotar was a member of the executive board of the national broadcaster, and the approach toward Israel was drastically different....
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Montenegro Confirms Participation in Eurovision 2026!

Montenegro Confirms Participation in Eurovision 2026!

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Montenegrin national broadcaster RTCG has confirmed the country’s participation in Eurovision 2026, to be held in Vienna, Austria. The method for selecting Montenegro’s entry has not yet been decided. The Montenegrin national broadcaster RTCG has confirmed the country’s participation in Eurovision 2026, which will take place in Vienna, Austria. Montenegro is the 25th country to express interest in participating in Eurovision 2026, following Albania, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the host country, Austria. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Boris Raonić, the Director General of RTCG, stated that Montenegro’s participation in Eurovision 2026 “is not in question”, though concerns remain regarding the selection process due to the broadcaster’s limited budget – half of which depends on donations. Council member Janko Ljumović remarked: “For RTCG, absence from the competition would be an admission that we are incapable”. He highlighted financial difficulties but emphasized that non-participation would be tantamount to giving up, despite a series of weak results. Council members Nikola Tatar and Marijana Camović...
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