Ireland Joins Boycott: Official Withdrawal from Eurovision 2026

Ireland Joins Boycott: Official Withdrawal from Eurovision 2026

by Tal Dahan Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Irish national broadcaster RTÉ, which had previously threatened to withdraw from Eurovision 2026 if Israel participated, officially announces its withdrawal following the confirmation of Israel’s participation in the contest. Ireland is known for its particularly strained Eurovision relations with Israel. The Irish national broadcaster, RTÉ, firmly opposed Israel’s participation along with several other countries and previously declared: “Our position is that Ireland will not participate in Eurovision 2026 as long as Israel continues to compete. The final decision on Ireland’s participation will be made after the EBU’s decision.” Following today’s general assembly of the European Broadcasting Union, where the new regulations were decisively approved and no separate vote to exclude Israel was held, Israel’s participation was confirmed and Ireland’s withdrawal officially declared. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Statement from Irish National Broadcaster RTÉ "Following today's EBU Winter General Assembly in Geneva at which Israel's participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest was confirmed, RTÉ's position remains unchanged. RTÉ...
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The Netherlands Officially Withdraws from Eurovision 2026

The Netherlands Officially Withdraws from Eurovision 2026

by Tal Dahan Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Dutch national broadcaster has announced its withdrawal from Eurovision 2026, following the official confirmation that Israel will participate in the contest. The Dutch national broadcaster AVROTROS has been one of the most vocal critics of Israel’s participation in Eurovision in recent years. The broadcaster had previously declared that it would withdraw if Israel took part in Eurovision 2026, and it has now maintained that position even after the ceasefire. With the general assembly of the European Broadcasting Union deciding not to hold a vote on Israel’s participation and approving the contest rules for 2026, the Dutch withdrawal has been made official. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); According to reports in the Netherlands, AVROTROS had counted on international pressure leading to Israel’s disqualification, and had already selected both its artist and song for 2026 in an advanced process meant to be ready “for any scenario”. Despite these preparations, the Netherlands will not take the Eurovision...
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Keren Peles Will Not Be Able to Submit a Song to Israel for Eurovision 2026

Keren Peles Will Not Be Able to Submit a Song to Israel for Eurovision 2026

by Tal Dahan Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Israel at Eurovision 2026: National broadcaster “Kan” unveils major updates to song selection process. Songwriter Keren Peles will not be allowed to submit a song to the committee this year. Israel’s public broadcaster “Kan” continues its preparations for Eurovision 2026, which will be held in Vienna, Austria, publishing a series of significant updates to the mechanism for choosing the song that will represent Israel in the contest. At the same time, the broadcaster’s CEO, Golan Yochpaz, and attorney Ayala Mizrahi, Kan’s representative to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), are expected to attend the organization’s assembly in Geneva tomorrow, where the issue of Israel’s participation will be discussed. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Reform in Israel’s Eurovision Song Selection Process The broadcaster has recently adopted a series of recommendations formulated by Yoav Ginai – chair of ACUM (The Society of Authors, Composers and Music Publishers in Israel), creator, journalist, and the songwriter of “Diva,” which won Eurovision 1998 with Dana...
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HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 4: Five Contestants Advance to the Next Round

HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 4: Five Contestants Advance to the Next Round

by Tal Dahan Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "HaKokhav HaBa" - Episode 4: Five contestants passed to the next round. The advancing contestants are Tamir Levy, Dylan Morgan, Lior Kakon, Ori Aharon, and Eitan Aharon. Tonight, the fourth episode of the reality show “HaKokhav HaBa" aired, through which Israel’s representative for Eurovision 2026 will be chosen. This evening featured six auditions, with five contestants succeeding and moving on to the next stage thanks to the support of the judges and the studio audience. One of them might go on to represent Israel in Eurovision this coming May. The panel once again included Assaf Amdursky, Keren Peles, Shiri Maimon, Eden Hasson, and Itay Levi, with Dana International and Shay Kerem joining as guest judges. Each contestant must receive at least 70% of the votes to advance, and every judge contributes 12% to the total voting score. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Tamir Levy Tamir, 23 years old, originally from Hod Hasharon and currently living in Tel Aviv, works as a waiter and a musician, and even...
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Is Canada Joining Eurovision? Finance Minister’s Surprising Announcement

Is Canada Joining Eurovision? Finance Minister’s Surprising Announcement

by Tal Dahan Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Canada moves closer to Eurovision after a surprising statement by its finance minister, revealing the country was asked to participate in the contest. Another non‑European nation may soon join Eurovision! Following Australia’s debut in 2015, Canada and its government are now showing growing interest in taking part. The buzz erupted after a small but surprising line was discovered in the country’s 2025 federal budget - one that has Eurovision fans worldwide excited and was approved by the finance minister. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Canada’s Eurovision Interest Revealed in Budget The 2025 Canadian federal budget included the line: “working with CBC/Radio-Canada (Canada's national broadcaster) to explore participation in Eurovision.” This marks the first time such a reference has appeared in an official Canadian document - and possibly signals that Canada’s Eurovision debut might be closer than ever. Champagne: “It's a Platform for Canada to Shine” Canadian Finance Minister François‑Philippe Champagne was asked about this line in an interview following...
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Not Giving Up: Evangelia to Try Again to Represent Greece at Eurovision

Not Giving Up: Evangelia to Try Again to Represent Greece at Eurovision

by Tal Dahan Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Greek-American singer Evangelia aims once again to represent Greece at Eurovision 2026, submitting her new song to ERT’s national selection. Evangelia (full name Evangelia Psarakis) has become a familiar figure in the Eurovision sphere. Over the past few years, she has persistently sought to represent Greece and Cyprus, submitting entries for both countries’ selection processes. Some of these songs were later released as singles, including "Ónira" - submitted for Greece’s 2022 selection, "Aphrodite" - submitted to Cyprus’s internal selection the same year, and "Pali", sent in 2023. In 2025, she competed once more in the Greek national selection, finishing second with "Vale", just two points behind Klavdia, who went on to represent Greece at Eurovision 2025 and placed sixth in the final. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Determined to Reach the European Stage Recently, it was revealed that over 70 songs have already been submitted for Greece’s 2026 national selection, "Ethnikos Telikos 2026". With submissions closing on November 2, additional entries are still expected....
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San Marino: Submission Window Opens for “San Marino Song Contest 2026”

San Marino: Submission Window Opens for “San Marino Song Contest 2026”

by Tal Dahan Comment Closed
 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); San Marino has opened the submission window for its preselection's open track. Could you, too, submit a song to Eurovision through San Marino? The San Marino national broadcaster, SMRTV, announced that preparations for the Eurovision preselection "San Marino Song Contest" are well underway. The final of the preselection will take place on March 7, with semifinals scheduled for March 3-4. One of the ways to submit songs to the preselection is via the "Dreaming San Marino Song Contest" - an open track for the general public. The submission window for this track opened yesterday (Friday). (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Submit Songs from Anywhere in the World "Media Evolution" company opened the registration window for the "Dreaming San Marino Song Contest," which will select ten artists to advance to the grand final of the Eurovision preselection (out of a total of 20 finalists). Creators and artists wishing to submit a song can register until January 20, 2026, through the registration...
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Sweden: Eurovision Legend Expected to Compete in Melodifestivalen for the Eighth Time!

Sweden: Eurovision Legend Expected to Compete in Melodifestivalen for the Eighth Time!

by Tal Dahan Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Swedish media reports reveal two new female artists set to join Melodifestivalen 2026 - one of them a Eurovision legend returning to the competition for the eighth time. Melodifestivalen 2026, Sweden’s national Eurovision selection, has already sparked European media attention as Swedish outlets report on likely performers. Who will take the Melodifestivalen stage and deliver this year’s hits? After previous years’ big names such as Robin Bengtsson, Fröken Snusk, and Smash Into Pieces - who are set to return - the media is now naming two more possible participants. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eurovision and Melodifestivalen Icon Makes a Comeback Sanna Nielsen, 40, is among Sweden’s most respected singers and television personalities. Best known for her seven previous appearances in Melodifestivalen, she won in 2014 with the song “Undo,” representing Sweden at Eurovision and finishing third. Her other notable Melodifestivalen entries include “I går, i dag” (2001, 3rd place), “Empty Room” (2008, 2nd place), and “I’m in Love” (2011, 4th...
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Austria Breaks Record: Over 460 Songs Submitted for Eurovision National Final!

Austria Breaks Record: Over 460 Songs Submitted for Eurovision National Final!

by Tal Dahan Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Austria is setting new records! A member of the Eurovision selection committee revealed an unprecedented 460 entries and shared the surprising language trend among the submissions. Austria is gearing up to host Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, as the national broadcaster ORF launches its first open national selection in a decade. Titled “Vienna Calling – Wer singt für Österreich?” (Vienna Calling – Who Sings for Austria?), the competition will determine who will represent Austria on home soil. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Record Response to Open Call To ensure the best possible result, ORF assembled an experienced committee including TV hosts Eberhard Forcher and Peter Schreiber, alongside Cesár Sampson, Austria’s 2018 Eurovision representative, who joined to assist with the talent search. An hour before the submission window closed, Forcher posted an excited update on Facebook revealing a record-breaking response: around 400 songs were submitted independently, while an additional 60–70 were gathered by the committee itself — more than 460 in total! Forcher noted that this...
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“HaKokhav HaBa”: How Is the Production Preparing for a Possible Eurovision Disqualification?

“HaKokhav HaBa”: How Is the Production Preparing for a Possible Eurovision Disqualification?

by Tal Dahan Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});   Reports reveal that the production of "HaKokhav HaBa," the Israeli selection process for Eurovision 2026, is preparing for every possible scenario - including a possible elimination from the contest. What is the winner's alternative prize? Israel’s participation in the upcoming Eurovision remains unclear due to countries threatening to withdraw if Israel takes part. Despite this, the popular show "HaKokhav HaBa LaEurovision," which is due to select Israel’s representative for the 2026 contest in Vienna, Austria, has already started filming. Recent reports highlight how the show’s producers are preparing for a possible elimination scenario. The season is set to premiere mid-November. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Alternative Prize Planned Should Israel be excluded from Eurovision 2026, the show’s production will award the winner a cash prize of 1 million shekels (about 264,000 Euro), as reported by "Walla Tarbut". This prize was given in past seasons not linked to Eurovision—to Tamir Grinberg and Eliav Zohar. It’s worth...
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