Slovenia Targets Israel with Full Force: “This is a Contest Between Countries, Not Broadcasters”

Slovenia Targets Israel with Full Force: “This is a Contest Between Countries, Not Broadcasters”

by Maor Heumann Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Slovenia threatens Eurovision 2026 withdrawal over Israel’s participation, insisting Eurovision is by nations, not broadcasters. Dispute raises uncertainty ahead of Vienna contest The peak of the ongoing confrontation over Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 came with an unusual statement from Slovenia’s national broadcaster RTVSLO: “Eurovision is not merely a gathering of public broadcasters but a contest between countries”. According to the broadcaster, Eurovision has political significance, and in Belgium and Germany, for example, representatives are selected to represent the nation, not just broadcasters.   הצגת פוסט זה באינסטגרם   ‏‎פוסט משותף על ידי ‏‎Eurovision | יורומיקס‎‏ (@‏‎euromix.co.il‎‏)‎‏ (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The broadcaster notes and continues to take a hard line against Israel’s participation: “In Belgium and Germany there isn’t a representative for every broadcaster separately, but a state representative who embodies the entire country in the contest [...] The decision on Israel’s participation is not just an internal broadcasting matter but touches the very essence of Eurovision’s...
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Spain: Benidorm Fest to Be Held Even if the Country Withdraws From Eurovision 2026

Spain: Benidorm Fest to Be Held Even if the Country Withdraws From Eurovision 2026

by Maor Heumann Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Spain confirms Benidorm Fest 2026 will proceed regardless of Eurovision participation. Final decision on joining expected in December amid debates over Israel’s role. The Spanish national broadcaster RTVE has confirmed that the Benidorm Festival will take place regardless of the final decision on whether Spain will participate in Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria. The broadcaster is reconsidering its presence in Eurovision as long as Israel remains among the participating countries but stressed that the festival has evolved into an independent music brand with its own strong identity. This week, the network announced that it would wait until December to decide whether to remain in the competition, stating that “all options are on the table”. Spanish Foreign Minister Ernest Urtasun suggested that the broadcaster should withdraw from Eurovision 2026 if Israel is not disqualified. Urtasun joins his party colleagues in sharp criticism of Israel, including Yolanda Diaz, Minister of Labor and Deputy Prime Minister under Pedro Sanchez, who also...
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The Host Aims for a Double: Austria’s Eurovision 2026 Entry to Be Selected on February 20th

The Host Aims for a Double: Austria’s Eurovision 2026 Entry to Be Selected on February 20th

by Maor Heumann Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Austria will pick its Eurovision 2026 act during the national final “Vienna Calling” on February 20th, through combined jury and public votes from 12 finalists. After the victory of JJ at Eurovision 2025, Austria has begun preparations for choosing its representative for Eurovision 2026, set to take place in its capital, Vienna, on May 16th. The national broadcaster ORF has announced that the show “Vienna Calling – Who Will Sing for Austria?” will be held on February 20th, 2026, and broadcast live on ORF1. The selected act will be decided jointly by the jury and the public, from among 12 chosen candidates who will perform on that evening. The submission window has already opened and will close on October 15th, 2025. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Rules for Participation According to ORF, the rules governing participation include: Songs must not have been commercially released or performed before September 1st, 2025 (including live shows or publication...
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Try Your Luck: Eurovision Winner’s Guitars Go Up for Auction

Try Your Luck: Eurovision Winner’s Guitars Go Up for Auction

by Maor Heumann Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The guitarist of the successful band passed away at 77 last year. Now fans can purchase his guitars, including the one he played when winning Eurovision The guitars of Martin Lee, member of the band Brotherhood of Man, which won the 1976 Eurovision with the song "Save your Kisses for Me" are being auctioned for charity. Lee passed away last year at the age of 77. His widow, Sandra Stevens, also a member of the band, decided to sell the guitars at a public auction and announced that the proceeds will go to the BHF, which supports medical research in cardiology. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eurovision Memories Stevens vividly remembers the performance that brought the band victory at Eurovision: "It's the best thing that can happen in your life – except me marrying Martin, that is. It was a wonderful thing to represent our country". She told BBC Radio Wiltshire that they had been warned...
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Eurovision Drama: Slovenia Threatens to Withdraw from Contest if Israel Participates in 2026

Eurovision Drama: Slovenia Threatens to Withdraw from Contest if Israel Participates in 2026

by Maor Heumann Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Slovenia, consistently opposing Israel’s participation, officially announced it may withdraw from Eurovision 2026, citing political tensions and concerns about voting transparency. The Slovenian national broadcaster RTVSLO declared during a EBU conference that it would withdraw from the competition if Israel continues to participate. The statement follows growing criticism of Israel due to the war in Gaza, along with allegations of insufficient transparency in the Eurovision voting process. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Slovenia’s Withdrawal Threat: "The Union Ignores Us" At the July conference in London, Slovenian broadcaster representatives stated: “If Israel takes part in the Eurovision Song Contest – because of the 'genocide in Gaza' – Slovenia will not participate in the event”. This stance reflects a long-standing policy of RTVSLO’s management. In previous months, the broadcaster already expressed reservations about continuing collaboration with Israel in the contest. RTVSLO’s director Ksenija Horvat reinforced this message in media interviews. According to her, the EBU has not provided adequate answers regarding Israel. In a strongly...
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Sanremo Festival 2026: Agreement Between RAI and Sanremo Secures Future

Sanremo Festival 2026: Agreement Between RAI and Sanremo Secures Future

by Maor Heumann Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Sanremo and RAI signed an agreement ensuring the festival remains in the city through 2028, keeping its Eurovision tradition alive The Sanremo Festival, which serves as Italy’s selection process for the Eurovision Song Contest, will remain in the city of Sanremo for at least the next three years. After lengthy and unpredictable negotiations, the Italian national broadcaster RAI and the Municipality of Sanremo signed an agreement granting the municipality ownership of the festival’s trademark, while RAI will retain full production rights and the authority to select Italy’s Eurovision representative. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Festival Dates and Rumors The upcoming edition of the Sanremo Festival will take place from February 24th to February 28th, 2026, immediately following the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina and just before the start of the Paralympic Games. This represents a departure from the traditional dates due to scheduling conflicts and the density of large-scale events in the city. Carlo Conti will...
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Save The Date: Expected Vote on Israel’s Eurovision Participation Scheduled

Save The Date: Expected Vote on Israel’s Eurovision Participation Scheduled

by Maor Heumann Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The EBU set December 4th–5th for its 95th General Assembly in Geneva. A vote on Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 may take place then The EBU confirmed today that its 95th General Assembly will be held in Geneva on December 4th–5th. While it has not yet been formally announced that a vote will be held regarding Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, it is highly likely that such a vote will take place during the assembly. Traditionally, the first day of the General Assembly is dedicated to formal matters, which makes December 4th the likely date for the potential vote on Israel’s participation. If the assembly concludes without such a vote, Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria, will be ensured, as there will be no further opportunity to hold a vote before the contest. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); No National Broadcaster Has Officially Requested Israel’s Expulsion This week, the Dutch division of...
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Ukraine: Jamala to Produce Vidbir 2026

Ukraine: Jamala to Produce Vidbir 2026

by Maor Heumann Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Suspline, Ukraine’s national broadcaster, brings Jamala as music producer for Vidbir 2026, aiming for another Eurovision win. Details and registration info coming soon Jamala, the winner of Eurovision 2016, will serve as the music producer for Ukraine’s national Eurovision selection (Vidbir) in 2026, according to a statement from the Ukrainian national broadcaster Suspline. “Since winning Eurovision, I’ve learned an important lesson: there are no accidental winners”, said Jamala. “Victory always comes down to readiness, resilience, and professionalism. That’s exactly what I want to see in future contestants”. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Permanent Judge and Esteemed Musician Since her victory in Eurovision 2016 with her song “1944” Jamala has judged seven national selections. She is also a recipient of the Shevchenko Prize, Ukraine’s highest cultural award for 2024, and served as a member of the Grammy Awards jury. This marks her debut as music producer for the national selection. A New Challenge and Great Honor "For me, the role of music producer...
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Happy September 1st: Eurovision 2026 Season Officially Begins!

Happy September 1st: Eurovision 2026 Season Officially Begins!

by Maor Heumann Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Eurovision 2026 season officially opens today! According to EBU rules, any song released from today may compete in next May’s contest, hosted in Vienna, Austria The Eurovision Song Contest marks a key milestone today on the road to the grand final, scheduled for May in Vienna. After revealing the host city for Eurovision 2026, the season is now official: today, September 1st, signals the start of the 70th edition's contest cycle. As per contest regulations, any song aired on radio, released on albums, or distributed on streaming platforms from now on becomes eligible for consideration by artists seeking to represent their countries. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); What has been confirmed so far? 26 nations have already expressed interest in participating: Albania Austria Azerbaijan Cyprus Denmark Finland France Germany Greece Israel Iceland Italy Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Montenegro The Netherlands Norway Serbia Spain Sweden Switzerland Ukraine United Kingdom Some countries have announced they will not return: Bosnia and Herzegovina and...
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Never Stops for a Moment: Another Tremendous Achievement for Yuval Raphael!

Never Stops for a Moment: Another Tremendous Achievement for Yuval Raphael!

by Maor Heumann Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Israel’s Eurovision 2025 representative, Yuval Raphael, continues to captivate audiences. After receiving three nominations in Kan Gimel’s annual chart, Raphael secures another major nomination Yuval Raphael, Israel’s representative at Eurovision 2025, is nominated for Ynet and Galgalatz’s Breakthrough of the Year, while her song "New Day Will Rise" is nominated for Song of the Year. After winning the televote at Eurovision and claiming a final second place, even before releasing additional singles, Israeli listeners and radio stations are showering Raphael with admiration and recognition. Recently, Kan Gimel radio station revealed that Raphael is nominated in three categories: Breakthrough of the Year, Artist of the Year, and Song of the Year. Now, in the chart of Israel’s most listened-to radio station, Galgalatz, in partnership with leading news website Ynet, Raphael is again up for prestigious awards. Recently, she also announced her debut performance on October 9th at the Tel Aviv Amphitheater. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eurovision...
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