News Archives - Page 2 of 150

Following Ceasefire Agreement: Vote on Expelling Israel from Eurovision 2026 May Be Postponed!

October 9, 2025 by Maor Heumann Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); ORF announced the vote on Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 may be delayed or canceled due to a hostage release deal and war’s end Against the backdrop of reports about a deal to end the war, it was revealed today (Thursday) that the vote regarding Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026, to be held in Vienna, Austria, may be postponed or even canceled. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Austria finds itself at the center of a political storm ahead of Eurovision 2026 due to uncertainty over Israel’s participation in the upcoming contest in Vienna. U.S. President Donald Trump announced last night a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. According to a report by the Austrian newspaper Der Standard, ORF faces a dilemma worth €40 million: whether to refuse hosting the major event if Israel is ultimately barred from participating. After Austria’s victory in the last Eurovision in Basel, ORF took on significant responsibility and committed...

Olly Turned Down Eurovision, and Now Reveals – Does He Regret It?

October 9, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Two months after Olly, winner of Sanremo 2025, gave up representing Italy at Eurovision in Basel, he finally talks about his decision – does he regret walking away? A few months ago, we reported that Olly, who won Italy’s Sanremo Festival with the song “Balorda nostalgia” (“Foolish Nostalgia”), announced that he would forgo the right to represent Italy at Eurovision 2025, which took place in Basel, Switzerland. In his place, runner-up Lucio Corsi represented the country with his song “Volevo essere un duro” (in English: “I Wanted to Be Tough”), bringing Italy to an impressive fifth place. At the time, Olly announced his withdrawal from the opportunity to represent Italy via an Instagram post: “I truly believe that I need to reconnect with everything happening to me right now, before looking further ahead, before continuing with my beloved live performances… That’s why I’ve decided to give up the opportunity to take part in Eurovision”. Now, for the first time since the contest ended, Olly reflects...

Spain: Contestant list for “Benidorm 2026” revealed

October 9, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Spain’s national broadcaster has unveiled the 18 artists competing in “Benidorm Fest 2026”, the show that will determine Spain’s entry for Eurovision 2026. Discover the full lineup and event dates. Spain’s national broadcaster RTVE continues preparations for the upcoming “Benidorm Fest 2026”, the show that has chosen Spain’s Eurovision representative since 2022. This year, 870 songs were submitted - down from the record 1,000 entries submitted last year, yet slightly higher than 825 in 2024 and close to the 876 submitted in 2023. A selection committee from RTVE listened to all submissions and chose the best 18 songs for the live festival. Today, the national broadcaster held a press conference revealing the names of the contestants. The participating songs will be officially released on December 18th, 2025. Despite the recent statement by Spain’s board of directors that Spain would withdraw from Eurovision 2026 if Israel is allowed to participate, RTVE continues preparations “as usual”. The broadcaster emphasized that the Benidorm...

Austrian Chancellor Threatens: Vienna Will Not Host Eurovision 2026 if Israel Is Excluded

October 8, 2025 by Ofek Jerassi Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Chancellor issues a bold warning: Vienna will withdraw from hosting Eurovision 2026 if Israel is banned, sparking major diplomatic waves and raising Israel’s prospects for participation. A major diplomatic bombshell shakes the Eurovision stage: amid the ongoing debate surrounding Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026, a firm statement of support has arrived from one of the most crucial places — the host country itself. Austria’s Chancellor has declared unequivocally that without Israel in the competition, Vienna will not host the event. What could this mean for Eurovision’s future and for Israel’s participation? (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker and State Secretary Alexander Proll made an official announcement stating that if a boycott against Israel is enforced, they will pressure the national broadcaster and the City of Vienna to withdraw their hosting of Eurovision 2026. In a statement from their party, OVP, they emphasized: “It makes no sense that we, of all people, would prevent a Jewish artist from coming to...

Iceland Faces Key Decision: Will It Support Expelling Israel from Eurovision?

October 7, 2025 by Noy Yehoyada Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The saga over Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 continues as Iceland’s national broadcaster RÚV will hold a decisive board meeting at October’s end ahead of the EBU’s November vote. The saga surrounding Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 continues to unfold, with a crucial development from Iceland. The national broadcaster RÚV will convene a board meeting at the end of October to formally decide how it will vote in the decisive European Broadcasting Union (EBU) vote in November concerning Israel’s participation. This step is essential for RÚV, which must present a consolidated position through its representative at the EBU’s general assembly. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The latest development comes just days after our report about the strongly worded article by the chairman of Iceland’s National Broadcasting Council, Stefán Jón Hafstein, openly calling for Israel’s expulsion from the contest. In his article, Hafstein detailed six arguments, including allegations of Israel violating international law, comparing the situation to Russia’s expulsion...

Klavdia: “I Didn’t Expect 12 Points from Israel After Last Year’s Events”

October 7, 2025October 9, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Klavdia, Greece’s representative at Eurovision 2025, shares in an interview her experiences from Basel and the big surprise in the grand final - 12 points from Israel. Why was she surprised? And who made her doubt the score from Israel? Klavdia, Greece’s representative for Eurovision 2025, shared today (Tuesday) in an interview about her experiences during the contest. Among other things, the Greek artist described her emotions during the second semi-final evening, up until she was announced last as a qualifier for the grand final. She also shared her thoughts on the unexpected 12 points from Israel and revealed the figure who made her question that score. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Klavdia is shocked: “I was surprised when I saw we got 12 points from Israel”. In an interview with the Greek show "Τσάι με ΛεμόΝ1", Klavdia revealed that when asked about the tense moments during the final — which she concluded in a respectable...

San Marino: The Entry for Eurovision 2026 to Be Chosen on March 1st

October 7, 2025October 9, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); San Marino’s national broadcaster SMRTV will select its Eurovision entry for 2026 through San Marino Song Contest, whoch will take place on March 1st. San Marino’s national broadcaster SMRTV announced on Monday that it will select its local representative for Eurovision 2026 on March 1st, through the traditional San Marino Song Contest. Reports indicate that the upcoming edition of the contest will undergo another significant structural change. Starting this year, the event will follow a format similar to Eurovision itself, featuring two semi-finals and a grand final - unlike last year’s format, which consisted of seven separate semi-finals. The country’s new head of delegation, Denny Montesi, also revealed a new preparatory stage called “Stage Live Academy”, due to take place during February before the two semi-finals. This phase aims to serve as a professional training platform for the participants ahead of their appearance on the main stage. It is designed to enhance the contest’s position as an independent and progressive musical hub...

North Macedonia: “With the right strategic planning – we might manage to return to Eurovision”

October 7, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); North Macedonia has not yet confirmed participation in Eurovision 2026, but could strategic plans for 2027 mark its comeback? MRT Council President shares details about the country's Eurovision future. Davor Pašoski, head of the MRT Council, disclosed during a Board of Directors meeting on September 19th early plans to broadcast Eurovision 2026 from Vienna, Austria. Although the country has not yet confirmed participation, the rising public pressure to return is making its mark, with signs pointing to a possible comeback – if not in 2026, then potentially in 2027. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Particularly encouraging statements came from Pašoski regarding a Macedonian Eurovision comeback. In a meeting with Zaharija Vulgarakis, Chair of the national broadcaster, it was revealed that MRT's budget is expected to be approved by the Macedonian government and may expand if the country returns to Eurovision. These details emerged after Vulgarakis addressed the country's absence in recent editions, citing financial and organizational difficulties as the cause between 2023 and 2025. Additional optimism came from another...

Spain to Announce Participants for Benidorm Fest 2026 This Thursday

October 6, 2025 by Neta Geffen Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Spain’s national broadcaster RTVE will reveal the 16 participants of Benidorm Fest 2026 this Thursday—despite earlier threats to withdraw from Eurovision 2026 if Israel takes part. Spain’s national broadcaster RTVE has announced that on Thursday, October 9th, it will publish the list of 16 artists competing in the fifth edition of Benidorm Fest 2026.Despite a previous statement from the network’s board declaring that Spain would withdraw from Eurovision 2026 if Israel is allowed to participate, RTVE continues preparations for the festival as planned. The network emphasized that Benidorm Fest has “its own life and identity” and will be held independently of any final decision regarding Spain’s Eurovision participation in 2026. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eurovision-Style Production and Open Rehearsals The upcoming edition of Benidorm Fest will feature major production upgrades and a format more closely aligned with the Eurovision Song Contest itself.For the first time, public open rehearsals will be held, marking a step toward a more immersive and international...

Secret Talks in Iceland: Nordic States to Debate Israel’s Participation in Eurovision 2026

October 6, 2025October 7, 2025 by Maor Heumann Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Nordic broadcasters meet in Reykjavik with EBU to debate Israel’s Eurovision 2026 status amid political tensions and conflicting positions Stefán Jón Hafstein, Chairman of the Broadcasting Council of Iceland’s national broadcaster, broke his silence by calling for Israel’s immediate exclusion from Eurovision. His opinion piece in Icelandic news outlet Vísir sparked heated debate in Iceland and across Nordic countries, echoing in Israel as well. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Hafstein revealed that Nordic national broadcaster directors will soon convene in Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, for a closed, high-profile meeting attended by an EBU representative. The envoy is tasked with gauging Nordic sentiment, but many delegations appear to have already reached firm positions. Six Reasons Behind the Demand In his article, Hafstein outlined six decisive arguments for expulsion, led by the UN Special Inquiry Committee’s report alleging Israel’s commission of genocide in Gaza. “It has long been evident to all that Israel’s government violates international law, commits crimes...