News Archives - Page 126 of 271

Reports in Sweden: These Are the Artists Expected to Compete in Melodifestivalen 2026!

October 1, 2025 by Tal Dahan Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); As every year, Swedish media report on artists set to compete in Melodifestivalen, the Swedish national Eurovision selection, with a high rate of accuracy. Who is expected in 2026? Melodifestivalen, Sweden’s national broadcaster’s Eurovision selection, is the biggest and most popular pre-selection, viewed by countless Eurovision fans. The official contestant list for Melodifestivalen 2026 has not yet been published, but rumors and reports about the participants are already circulating. The newspaper "Expressen" reports on the first three artists likely to take part in the competition. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Normally, Sweden’s "Aftonbladet" publishes a list of artists expected to compete in the national selection. While not an official report from the national broadcaster SVT, the outlet is well known for its highly accurate predictions, often confirmed by the final list. For example, ahead of Melodifestivalen 2024, "Aftonbladet" predicted 29 names and missed only one. This time, "Expressen" is first to report—will it get the details right as well?...

Change for The Better? Gert Kark Replaces Martin Österdahl in Eurovision’s Reference Group

October 1, 2025 by Maor Heumann Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The EBU has appointed Gert Kark as the new Eurovision General Supervisor, succeeding Martin Österdahl, and joining the influential Reference Group shaping contest decisions Gert Kark has been officially appointed as a member of the Eurovision Song Contest’s Reference Group, replacing Martin Österdahl, who stepped down from his role as General Supervisor of the competition. Who is Gert Kark? Kark is no stranger to the EBU, serving as a television project manager within the organization. He was also involved as a project manager in multiple editions of Junior Eurovision and is a member of its steering group. The Role and Significance of the Reference Group The Reference Group functions as Eurovision’s “engine room” – the body overseeing, guiding, and making strategic decisions for the competition. Among its responsibilities are supervising production, selecting and approving host cities, updating rules, managing crises, handling the budget, and ensuring cultural diversity, fairness, and transparency in voting. For Israel, the proper functioning of the Reference Group is...

Georgia: 18 Countries to Participate in Junior Eurovision 2025!

October 1, 2025October 1, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Junior Eurovision 2025: 18 countries will participate in the 23rd edition of the contest, taking place in Tbilisi on December 13th. All the details about the children’s version of Eurovision - Below. Junior Eurovision 2025 will take place on December 13th in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, following the victory of Andria Putkaradze last year in Madrid with his song "To My Mom". (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Junior Eurovision is a talent competition for children aged 9 to 14, modeled after the Eurovision Song Contest. The event was first held in Denmark in 2003 and has since taken place annually. Over the years, a total of 41 countries have participated in the competition, including nations not present in the main Eurovision, such as Wales, part of the United Kingdom, and Kazakhstan, which lies outside the European Broadcasting Area. This year, 18 countries will take part in Junior Eurovision 2025. The participating nations are: Albania, Armenia, Cyprus, France, Ireland, Italy, Malta, the...

The War Is Not Over: AVROTROS Will Vote For Israel’s Expulsion from Eurovision 2026 Despite Gaza Ceasefire

September 30, 2025 by Maor Heumann Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS insists Israel must be expelled from Eurovision 2026, citing Gaza and press freedom, even if a ceasefire with Hamas materializes (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Netherlands will maintain its support for Israel’s expulsion from Eurovision 2026 even if a ceasefire with Hamas is reached, according to a spokesperson for the Dutch national broadcaster AVROTROS. He emphasized that Israel has no place in the contest. "Our Position Will Not Change" Trump’s plan, whose details were released yesterday, sparked hope among Eurovision fans in Israel that the threat of expulsion would be lifted and Israel’s path to Eurovision 2026 would be secured. The countries that previously called for Israel’s removal justified their stance by referring to the humanitarian situation and the decline in press freedom, raising expectations that an end to the war would render these threats irrelevant. However, the Dutch national broadcaster AVROTROS quickly clarified that its position remains firm, and even if a ceasefire agreement is finalized,...

Record in Finland: 491 Songs Submitted for UMK 2026!

September 30, 2025October 1, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Finland’s national broadcaster YLE reveals that 491 songs have been submitted for "UMK 2026". Hints about participants were published, with the full list to be revealed on January 14th. Finland’s national broadcaster YLE reveals new details about UMK 2026. The broadcaster announced that the competition will take place on February 28th, 2025, at the Nokia Arena in Tampere, Finland’s third-largest city. It was also disclosed that a record 491 songs were submitted this year, six more than last year, marking the highest number since the selection adopted its current format in 2020. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Finland's Songs Submissions Reach a Record High In recent years, Finland’s national broadcaster has reported a consistent rise in submissions for UMK: UMK 2026 – 491 songs UMK 2025 – 485 songs UMK 2024 – 419 songs UMK 2023 – 363 songs UMK 2022 – 312 songs UMK 2021 – 278 songs UMK 2020 – 426 songs The broadcaster also...

Encouraging Trend: Denmark Joins Support for Israel’s Participation in Eurovision?

September 30, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "Here for music and culture": Denmark declares it will not support expelling Israel from Eurovision 2026, reinforcing international voices favoring Israel's continued participation in the contest. In times when the future of Israel’s participation in Eurovision remains clouded, every international statement is felt as either hope or concern. Last week, it was announced that the EBU decided to move forward the general assembly vote that will determine whether Israel continues to be part of Europe’s biggest stage – Eurovision 2026, set to take place in Vienna, Austria. While many Israeli fans wonder whether the nation will appear or be absent from this historic event, Denmark has now chosen to join the wave of support for Israel’s participation, declaring that it will not support a boycott or removal. is this a small hint of the atmosphere to be expected in the decisive assembly, or merely a temporary reassurance for Eurovision fans rallying behind the Israeli flag? (adsbygoogle...

Israel’s Eurovision 2026 Fate: EBU Vote and Legal Battle

September 30, 2025 by Noy Yehoyada Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Israel’s Eurovision 2026 fate rests on a landmark EBU vote, with legal disputes, alliances, and transparency issues shaping the dramatic outcome. The announcement of moving forward the vote on Israel’s fate in Eurovision 2026 to early November left the fan world tense and alert. Now that the initial picture is clearer, more complex questions arise: How will this vote actually be conducted? Who is sitting at the decision-making table, and what weight does each voice carry? The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) faces one of the greatest crises in its history, and the outcome will be determined in a diplomatic and legal battle where every detail matters. Yet, a close examination of the rules reveals that Israel’s removal will not be simple, and Israel has powerful legal arguments that may tip the scales. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Arena: Beyond Europe, Beyond Contestants Contrary to popular belief, the decision on Israel’s participation in Eurovision is not only...

“Every Arena Is Important”: President Herzog Responds to Calls to Exclude Israel from Eurovision

September 29, 2025 by Neta Geffen Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Amid European boycott threats, Israeli President Isaac Herzog addressed delegitimization efforts against Israel at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna and emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong and independent public broadcaster. Israeli President Isaac Herzog spoke in an interview on the radio program “Kalman Liberman” on Kan Reshet Bet about the importance of public broadcasting and Israel’s future at Eurovision. His remarks come against the backdrop of calls to exclude Israel from Eurovision 2026 in Vienna. Eurovision: More Than Just a Musical Stage Regarding the wave of calls to boycott Israel at Eurovision, Herzog said: “I have seen dangerous processes that start at Eurovision and end elsewhere. The delegitimization of Israel and attempts to exclude us from every possible arena - these are moves intended to weaken us. It starts with Eurovision but extends to things that are vital to us. Every arena is important”. He noted in the interview that the public broadcaster KAN is doing its utmost to keep Israel...

Official: Israel’s Eurovision 2026 Representative to Be Chosen via “HaKokhav HaBa”!

September 29, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); After Yuval Raphael’s success at Eurovision 2025, KAN 11 and Keshet 12 will continue their collaboration to select Israel’s representative for Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria through “HaKokhav HaBa LaEurovision”. Now it’s official: Although Israel’s participation in the upcoming Eurovision remains uncertain following threats by some countries to withdraw if Israel competes, the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation and Keshet have agreed to extend their collaboration ahead of Eurovision 2026. The agreement guarantees the continuation of the popular show “HaKokhav HaBa LaEurovision”, which will select Israel’s representative for the competition in Vienna, Austria. Filming is expected to begin at the end of October, with the season scheduled to air in mid-November. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Continued Success The decision to continue this partnership for the ninth consecutive year comes in light of the remarkable achievement of Yuval Raphael, Israel’s Eurovision 2025 representative, who finished in second place with her song “New Day Will Rise”. Raphael, chosen through the previous...

“Three Decades of Spreading Light”: Dana International Honored at TLVFest 2025 with Special Award

September 29, 2025September 29, 2025 by Maor Heumann Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eurovision star Dana International to receive honorary award at TLVFest 2025 for three decades of cultural impact and LGBTQ+ visibility Dana International, winner of Eurovision 1998 and one of the most influential figures in Israeli music and LGBTQ+ culture, will receive this year a special honorary award at the 20th edition of the TLVFest LGBTQ+ Film Festival. The festival will open on October 23rd at the Tel Aviv Cinematheque and take place across Tel Aviv-Jaffa and Haifa until November 2nd. Groundbreaking Career The festival’s steering committee explained that the award is being presented to Dana for three decades of musical and cultural contributions, as well as for being a pioneering voice for LGBTQ+ visibility in Israel and worldwide. Dana began her career in the late 1980s performing drag shows at gay clubs, long before this culture was widely recognized. In 1992, she broke through with the single “Sa’ida Sultana", which led to a successful debut album and her second, “Umpatampa"....