News Archives - Page 108 of 243

Ukraine: Jamala to Produce Vidbir 2026

September 2, 2025 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...

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

September 1, 2025September 1, 2025 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...

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

September 1, 2025 by Neta Geffen Comment Closed

(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,...

Because of Israel? The Netherlands Withholds Song Submission Numbers for Eurovision 2026!

September 1, 2025 by Ofek Jerassi Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Netherlands confirmed its Eurovision 2026 participation and began internal selection, but refuses to disclose how many songs were submitted—citing ongoing negotiations with the EBU, apparently regarding Israel’s participation. Claude brought the Netherlands notable success at Eurovision 2025 in Basel, Switzerland, with an uneventful and smooth participation. The Netherlands was enthusiastic about the upcoming 2026 contest and quickly launched its internal selection process. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Dutch national broadcaster, AVROTROS, opened its internal submission window as early as May 19, 2025—just two days after the 2025 Grand Final. The nation was the first to confirm Eurovision 2026 participation back in November 2024 and was once again optimistic following the end of the 2025 season. Despite tradition, the Netherlands now refuses to reveal the number of songs submitted to its selection process, citing ongoing discussions with the European Broadcasting Union about the "future of the contest," widely believed to revolve around Israel's participation. According to AVROTROS, “Immediately after the Grand Final,...

Because of Israel? Eurovision Will Allow Withdrawal Without Sanctions – Until December!

September 1, 2025 by Ofek Jerassi Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A major shift? The EBU now lets countries withdraw without financial penalty until December—potentially due to Israeli participation, with a decision expected at that time. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which stirred controversy last week by releasing a video about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, appears to be changing its approach. In a rare move, the EBU has extended the deadline for penalty-free withdrawal from Eurovision from October to December, coinciding with when the decision about Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 will be made. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); According to a Ynet report, the EBU’s new timeline lets broadcasters withdraw from the contest without financial penalty until December—a move likely intended to accommodate those wanting to reconsider if Israel is approved to compete. This flexibility seems designed to ease concerns for countries opposed to Israel’s participation. So far, only Slovenia and Iceland have threatened to withdraw if Israel participates. Notably, Iceland recently confirmed its...

Happy September 1st: Eurovision 2026 Season Officially Begins!

September 1, 2025 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...

Despite Threats: Iceland Confirms Participation in Eurovision 2026

August 31, 2025September 9, 2025 by Aviad Berger Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); After months of speculation, threats, and calls to ban Israel from the contest, Iceland confirms their participation in Eurovision 2026 Iceland has officially confirmed its participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. On the website of the national broadcaster RÚV, a banner announced the opening of song submissions for the Söngvakeppnin, which will determine Iceland’s representative to the international stage. The announcement brings an end to much speculation regarding the country’s future in the competition, officially positioning Iceland as part of the event set for next year. Iceland is the 24th country to express interest in participating in Eurovision 2026, following Albania, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the host country, Austria. As previously reported on EuroMix, amidst the "Iron Swords" war, the Chairman of the Board of the Icelandic national broadcaster, Stefán Jón Hafstein, called for Israel to be barred from participating in Eurovision 2026. He even suggested allowing only independent Israeli artists under a neutral...

Ziferblat Are Still Paying Debts for Eurovision 2025 Participation

August 30, 2025 by Neta Geffen Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Ziferblat face extensive costs for representing Ukraine at Eurovision 2025; details on the band’s financial burden and ongoing payments revealed. Members of Ziferblat, who represented Ukraine in Eurovision 2025, recently revealed the enormous expenses needed to take the stage in Basel. These costs included costumes, staging, technical support, logistics, promotion, and production arrangements. The total sum, approximately $120,000 (approximately €102,700), remains a considerable financial burden for the band months after the contest. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Costs Covered by the Band According to band members, part of the amount was offset by crowdfunding and local sponsors, but the bulk was paid directly from their own pockets. The group’s guitarist, Valentin Leshchinsky, admitted in an interview that they are still paying off the debts from their Eurovision 2025 participation: “We still have an outstanding amount for Eurovision. We’re still repaying it, but it isn’t critical”. He said. Between Dreams and Expenses The story of Ziferblat joins other Ukrainian and international artists who have testified about the high...

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

August 29, 2025 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...

Eurovision Participation at Risk? This Is What the EBU Said About Israel!

August 28, 2025 by Maor Heumann Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The EBU sparked controversy after releasing a video highlighting Gaza testimonies and strongly criticizing Israel. Could Israel's participation in Eurovision be at risk? The controversial video: EBU published a video about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, criticizing the Israeli government and claiming authorities are undermining press freedom by barring foreign journalists from entering the territory. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The footage presents testimonies about growing hunger due to a shortage of food and basic goods. In the official statement attached, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk was quoted as saying that hunger in Gaza is “a direct result of Israeli Government action”. הצגת פוסט זה באינסטגרם ‏‎פוסט משותף על ידי ‏‎European Broadcasting Union‎‏ (@‏‎ebu_hq‎‏)‎‏ Allegations of Suppressing Press Freedom According to the EBU’s statement, Israeli authorities are preventing international media outlets from accessing Gaza and covering the situation. The footage included in the video was filmed by local Palestinian journalists, who the EBU said face...