News Archives - Page 24 of 269

Reports: EBU Approves Major Eurovision 2027 Televoting Reforms

June 27, 2026 by Tal Dahan Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); According to reports, the EBU approved televoting reforms for Eurovision 2027 at the Prague General Assembly to "curb geopolitical voting trends". The rules of the game are changing. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) General Assembly, which concluded yesterday (Friday) in Prague, brought dramatic news that is poised to fundamentally alter how public voting impacts the scoreboard. According to reports by the Greek Eurovision outlet, Eurovisionfun, the union approved a comprehensive reform package for the televoting system ahead of Eurovision 2027, with the goal of reducing "political voting". (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Behind the reported discussions lies a remarkable phenomenon in the competition's history. In recent years, exceptionally dedicated fanbases and public voting campaigns have demonstrated unprecedented strength on the scoreboard. While this overwhelming show of public support highlights the undeniable passion of the viewers, who have successfully maximized their voting power within the official rules, it has also caused some strategic headaches for several European national broadcasters and...

RTL Secures Luxembourg’s Eurovision Funding Through 2029

June 26, 2026 by Ofek Jerassi Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); RTL secures €2 million annual funding, confirming Luxembourg's Eurovision participation through 2029 Luxembourg's national broadcaster RTL has officially confirmed the country's participation in Eurovision 2027, set to take place in Bulgaria next May, as well as in the 2028 and 2029 editions of the contest. The announcement comes after months of uncertainty surrounding the project's funding. The financial crisis has now been fully resolved after the Luxembourgish government approved an annual allocation of €2 million for Eurovision participation. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); ‎‏ Government Increases Eurovision Budget Since returning to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2024, Luxembourg has participated with an annual budget of €1.6 million. That amount occasionally proved insufficient, with the project exceeding its budget by approximately €70,000 in 2025. According to Luxembourg's Ministry of Culture, “The annual budget for the Eurovision Song Contest has been increased to €2 million in order to strengthen the Eurovision ecosystem, which is now firmly established in Luxembourg, and to enable partnerships with...

BNT and DARA Launch Major Tourism Push Ahead of Eurovision 2027

June 25, 2026June 25, 2026 by Talya Raviv Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eurovision 2026 winner DARA joins forces with BNT and the Ministry of Tourism to promote Bulgaria ahead of hosting Eurovision 2027. Photo: Ministry of Tourism Bulgaria Preparations for hosting Eurovision 2027 in Bulgaria are gaining momentum, and with them, efforts to leverage tourism in the country. DARA, the winner of Eurovision 2026, is expected to lead a large-scale advertising campaign that will showcase Bulgaria to the world, after responding to an invitation from the Minister of Tourism, Dr. Ilin Dimitrov, to take part in the initiative. A formal meeting held between the two was also attended by Milena Milotinova, the CEO of the Bulgarian national broadcaster BNT, which is responsible for producing the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest in the country. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The new project by the Ministry of Tourism is based on creating videos and promotional materials starring famous Bulgarians - including artists, athletes, scientists, and young achievers, who can speak about the country in a...

RTVSLO Faces Backlash Over Eurovision 2026 Israel Boycott

June 25, 2026 by Ofek Jerassi Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); RTVSLO receives complaints over Eurovision 2026 boycott as Slovenia weighs a possible return to the contest. Slovenia, remembered in recent years as one of Israel's most vocal critics within the Eurovision community, led initiatives calling for a boycott of Israel at Eurovision 2026 and replaced the contest's Grand Final broadcast with a special programme titled "Voices of Palestine". Although the country has since undergone a change in government, the controversy surrounding the boycott of Israel is far from over. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); According to the May report published by the Ombudsman for Viewers and Listeners of the Slovenian national broadcaster RTVSLO, 20 complaints were received regarding the decision to boycott the contest. The majority of those complaints criticized the decision, arguing that Eurovision is first and foremost a cultural and musical event that should remain politically neutral and not be influenced by political developments. Opposition to RTVSLO's decision not to broadcast the contest also included claims that the...

History: Canada Can Legally Participate in Eurovision 2027

June 25, 2026 by Ofek Jerassi Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); History has been made: Canada's CBC has become a full member of the EBU and can now legally and officially participate in Eurovision A new country could be heading to the Eurovision Song Contest: Canada's national broadcaster CBC has officially become a full member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) following a vote held during the EBU Summer Assembly in Prague. The move effectively makes Canadian participation in Eurovision 2027 possible without delays, special invitations, or arrangements similar to those used for Australia. Canada now holds the same membership status within the EBU as countries such as France, Israel, and the United Kingdom. Canada sent a delegation to Eurovision 2026 in Vienna and has been openly exploring the possibility of joining the Eurovision Song Contest for approximately two years. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Canada's Long Road to Eurovision This is not the first time Canada and Eurovision have been mentioned in the same breath. In 2022, the "Eurovision Canada" format was...

RTÉ Under Pressure as Irish Calls to Boycott Israel at Eurovision 2027 Grow

June 24, 2026 by Aviad Berger Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Irish trade union SIPTU pressures national broadcaster RTÉ to sustain boycotts against Israel ahead of Eurovision 2027 preparations The list of participating countries for Eurovision 2027 is still very far from finalized, and many nations are expected to either confirm or deny their participation in the coming months. One of these countries is Ireland, which notably did not participate in Eurovision 2026 due to Israel's participation in the contest. Although Irish officials have not yet declared their intentions regarding next year, voices in the country continue to grow louder, calling for a sustained boycott against Israel. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Calls to Boycott Israel Intensely Grow The organization SIPTU, the largest trade union in Ireland, sent a letter to the Irish national broadcaster, RTÉ, demanding that the organization continue its boycotts against Israel and refuse to broadcast soccer matches scheduled with Israel for this coming autumn. “We commend the decision of RTÉ, alongside other European public broadcasters, to refuse to...

Elias Kokotos Reveals Why Dream Team Declined Greece for Eurovision 2026

June 24, 2026June 24, 2026 by Roie Ben Hoor Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Dream Team project manager Elias Kokotos explained why his team refused to work with ERT for Eurovision 2026 despite Dara's Bulgarian success. Elias Kokotos, the project manager of the famous "Dream Team", was a guest this week on the online show hosted by Nancy Paradisano, where he bared it all. After leading Dara to a landslide victory for Bulgaria in Eurovision 2026, Kokotos was asked the obvious question: when will he and Dimitris Kontopoulos return to work with the Greek national broadcaster, ERT? ‏ (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Kokotos made it clear that his team, whose ultimate goal is to reach the absolute highest positions on the scoreboard, is not willing to take blind risks. As long as the selection of the Greek representative is conducted through a national final format, the Dream Team is completely out of the picture. "We cannot take on a project from the very beginning when we don't know which...

Josephine Confirms Interest in Greece’s Sing For Greece 2027

June 24, 2026 by Ofek Jerassi Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Josephine says she plans to submit a song to Sing For Greece 2027 after years of Eurovision speculation. Greek pop superstar Josephine has revealed that, after many years of flirting with the Eurovision Song Contest, she may finally submit a song to "Sing For Greece 2027", the national selection that will determine Greece's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2027. ‏ (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); In an interview on the Greek television program "After Dark", the Greek pop star discussed the possibility of representing either Greece or Cyprus at Eurovision 2027. To the surprise of many fans, she responded: “I will submit a song to 'Sing For Greece' in order to represent Greece at Eurovision 2027.” According to the singer, the public would support her candidacy. Josephine also revealed that her potential Eurovision entry would be “dynamic and representative of me.” In addition, she stated that she has no particular preference regarding which country she would represent and...

Aiming for Victory: Mikko Silvennoinen Takes Over UMK Ahead of Eurovision 2027

June 24, 2026 by Adiel Shtainmetz Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Mikko Silvennoinen replaces Anssi Autio as the new head producer for Finland's UMK. Will he lead Finland to a Second Eurovision victory? Mikko Silvennoinen, known to Finnish people and many Eurovision fans as the voice of Eurovision commentary and broadcasting in Finland, has just been appointed as the new head producer of the Finnish national selection, UMK. He steps in following the departure of legendary producer Anssi Autio after 15 consecutive years of producing the beloved selection. The dramatic announcement regarding the sudden departure arrived just weeks after the Eurovision 2026 final, and it is hard not to assume that the timing is directly related to the disappointing result of Finland in Vienna - finishing only in sixth place after many were convinced they were about to win the coveted contest. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A New Chapter for UMK Silvennoinen is taking the reins and will produce Finland's successful national selection. The commentator is a very well-known and...

Varna Honors DARA: Mega Eurovision Concert Set for Bulgaria

June 24, 2026 by Neta Geffen Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The "Bangaranga" frenzy in Bulgaria is reaching a new peak: the official "Varna Day" festival for 2026 will be dedicated this year to the historic achievement of the singer DARA at the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. With a massive budget, a giant stage, and a lineup of stars - here are all the details about the summer mega-show. The historic achievement of DARA on the Eurovision 2026 stage in Vienna continues to shake Bulgaria, and this time through the highest municipal levels. The culture council in the Bulgarian coastal city of Varna has decided to take up the gauntlet and officially announced: the "Varna Day" festival, which takes place every year on August 25th, will be completely dedicated this year to the local singer who was born and raised in the city, and to her glorious victory that brought immense pride to the country. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The dramatic decision was made during a special meeting...