Belgium: Decision on Eurovision 2026 Participation to Be Made in December

Belgium: Decision on Eurovision 2026 Participation to Be Made in December

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Belgian-Walloon national broadcaster RTBF confirmed it will decide in December on its Eurovision 2026 participation, following the vote on Israel’s eligibility. The Belgian-Walloon national broadcaster RTBF, responsible this year for selecting Belgium’s Eurovision act, announced it will formally decide in December whether to participate in Eurovision 2026, following the vote on Israel’s eligibility. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Israel at the Center: Will Belgium Withdraw? For now, the Belgian-Walloon national broadcaster aligns itself with Spain and Iceland, though not as firmly as Ireland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands. The broadcaster is postponing its official decision on participation until after December’s discussion. In contrast, the Belgian-Flemish national broadcaster VRT, which selected last year’s Belgian act, has already declared its support for Ireland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands. In a statement, the channel even threatened to boycott the broadcast of this year’s contest if “The message issued by the European Broadcasting Union is not strong enough”. VRT is regarded as one of the most anti-Israeli broadcasters...
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Belgium Invites Hadise To Represent The Country in Eurovision Every Year!

Belgium Invites Hadise To Represent The Country in Eurovision Every Year!

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Turkish-Belgian Eurovision singer Hadise revealed that Belgium approaches her annually with an invitation to represent the country at Eurovision. Despite the ongoing offers, she admits to feeling conflicted about accepting. The Belgian-born Turkish singer Hadise, who represented Turkey at Eurovision 2009 with the song “Düm Tek Tek”, revealed that Belgium invites her every year to represent the country at Eurovision. The star admitted that although the offers keep coming, she has mixed feelings about performing for Belgium at the contest. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); In an interview with Turkish journalist Fatih Altaylı, he praised the idea, saying: “A Turkish girl representing Belgium – that would be great”. Hadise, however, reminded him that after she represented Turkey in 2009, many Belgians opposed her as a candidate. She explained that this hesitation makes her cautious about how Turkish fans might react if she were to return to Eurovision under the Belgian flag. Altaylı countered, arguing that since Turkey no longer competes in the contest,...
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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”

(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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Report: Loïc Nottet Chosen to Represent Belgium at Eurovision 2026

Report: Loïc Nottet Chosen to Represent Belgium at Eurovision 2026

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Report: Belgium has chosen its representative for Eurovision 2026! Loïc Nottet, who previously achieved fourth place for his country, will return to Austria to represent Belgium. Will he replicate his success? The 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. The announcement of Belgium’s representative this year is happening earlier than usual, even for Belgium, which typically reveals its internally selected artist at the end of August or the beginning of September. The Belgian national broadcaster RTBF has yet to confirm the details and has not issued a response. According to journalist Clément Garin, Loïc Nottet was chosen from a shortlist of about forty candidates who submitted a song to represent Belgium at Eurovision. Among the candidates who submitted songs for consideration were the singer Mentissa, the singer Henri PFR, and the singer Essyla. Essyla was nominated for the...
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Belgium: Uncertainty Surrounds Participation in Eurovision 2026 – Due to Israel

Belgium: Uncertainty Surrounds Participation in Eurovision 2026 – Due to Israel

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); After previously confirming its participation, Belgium is reconsidering its involvement in Eurovision 2026, citing Israel’s participation and demands for changes to the contest’s rules. Is Belgium Participating in Eurovision 2026? As of now, the answer remains unclear. The Belgian-Walloon national broadcaster RTBF, expected to select Belgium’s representative for Eurovision 2026, has announced that a decision regarding participation has not yet been made. This announcement comes despite RTBF previously confirming Belgium’s entry in the upcoming contest. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Belgium’s Withdrawal Threats? The uncertainty regarding Belgium’s participation in Eurovision 2026 stems from the stance of local national broadcasters towards Israel’s involvement in the contest. Over the past year, Israel’s participation has sparked controversy, particularly concerning the public voting—where Israel ranked first—and allegations of political bias. Several countries, including Belgium, are now reconsidering their participation. In recent months, public criticism of Israel’s participation has intensified. Notably, before the broadcast of the first semi-final, the socialist public sector union of VRT, ACOD,...
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Belgium: A Quarter of Eurovision 2025 Public Votes Went to Israel!

Belgium: A Quarter of Eurovision 2025 Public Votes Went to Israel!

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Belgian hypocrisy at Eurovision: while the national broadcaster fights Israel’s participation, Belgian viewers overwhelmingly support it. What drives this support in one of Europe’s most anti-Israel countries? Belgium, which is fiercely attempting to prevent Israel from participating in Eurovision 2026, has now revealed its voting data for Israel in the 2025 final. The figures show that 25% of Belgian viewers voted exclusively for Israel, while the remaining 75% split their votes among other countries. This massive support from home viewers awarded Israel the maximum 12 points, in stark contrast to the Belgian jury, which - unsurprisingly, given Belgium’s pro-Palestinian stance - gave Israel zero points. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A Quarter of Belgian Viewers Backed Israel – What Happened? Nearly 25% of the Belgian public’s votes in the Eurovision 2025 Grand Final went to Israel’s representative, Yuval Raphael, according to data from the EBU. This exceptional figure, revealed following a parliamentary inquiry, has sparked heated debate in Belgium and...
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Belgium Confirms Participation in Eurovision 2026!

Belgium Confirms Participation in Eurovision 2026!

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Belgian national broadcaster RTBF has confirmed Belgium’s participation in Eurovision 2026, to be held in Austria. The selection method for Belgium’s 2026 representative has yet to be announced. The Belgian-Walloon national broadcaster (serving the French-speaking community) RTBF has announced that Belgium will participate in Eurovision 2026, which will take place in Austria. Belgium is the 19th country to express interest in joining Eurovision 2026, following Albania, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,  the United Kingdom, and the host country, Austria. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The incoming Belgian Head of Delegation, Michael De Lil, informed the Polish Eurovision website ESCSpot yesterday (Monday) on behalf of the Belgian-Walloon national broadcaster that Belgium has confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2026 in Austria. As per Belgian tradition, it is RTBF’s turn to broadcast the contest. Belgium’s Selection Process Remains Unclear Belgium has not yet revealed how its Eurovision 2026 representative will be chosen, though all selection methods seem to face harsh...
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Belgium: Eurovision 2025 Judge Participated in a Pro-Palestinian Campaign

Belgium: Eurovision 2025 Judge Participated in a Pro-Palestinian Campaign

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Belgian organization Hart Voor Israël ("Heart for Israel") is demanding an investigation by the national broadcaster after its jury gave Israel zero points at Eurovision 2025, while the public awarded Israel the maximum points. The controversy over Belgium’s Eurovision scoring for Israel continues. While the public at home awarded Israel the maximum 12 points, the Belgian jury chose not to give Israel any points. It has now been revealed that one of the jury members, singer Noémie Wolfs, participated in a pro-Palestinian campaign. In response, the organization "Hart Voor Israël" is demanding an external investigation by the Belgian national broadcaster (VRT). (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Call for Investigation into Jury Composition On Wednesday, "Hart Voor Israël" issued a public call for VRT to launch an independent investigation into the jury’s composition and its conduct. At the center of the demand is Wolfs’ participation in an Oxfam campaign with the hashtag "#SpeakUpForPalestine", which, according to...
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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

(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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Belgian Broadcasters Seek Greater Transparency from EBU Regarding Eurovision Voting

Belgian Broadcasters Seek Greater Transparency from EBU Regarding Eurovision Voting

(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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