News Archives - Page 240 of 242

The Croatian representative backs down? “I condemn the actions of the Israeli government.”

August 15, 2024October 25, 2024 by Avi Zaikaner Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); After facing criticism, Baby Lasagna, Croatia's Eurovision 2024 representative, has responded to his harsh critique of the Irish singer's behavior, stating: "I pray for the Palestinians." Recently, a new controversy erupted after many people were exposed to an interview Baby Lasagna gave for the podcast "Podcast Inkubator," where he criticized the Irish representative, Bambie Thug, for their conduct during the contest and their treatment of the Israeli delegation, which he claimed "was not a nuisance at all." As a result, Baby Lasagna received numerous hateful messages from fans who labeled him a "genocide supporter." Additionally, pro-Palestinian Eurovision contestants collectively unfollowed him on Instagram. Following the controversy, Baby Lasagna responded on his Instagram account with a statement regarding the issue. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); After the interview went viral on social media, he received both positive feedback and a flood of harsh criticism. Eurovision fans and his supporters reached out to him after he portrayed the Israeli delegation positively, calling...

Montenegro: New Cost Sharing Model Enables Eurovision 2025 Participation

August 15, 2024August 25, 2024 by Avi Zaikaner Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Montenegro's Eurovision return in 2025 is supported by a cost-sharing model, easing financial burdens on the broadcaster. Montenegro is set to make a dazzling comeback to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2025, as the country gears up for its national selection event, Montesong 2024. This eagerly anticipated festival will see 16 songs vying for the chance to represent Montenegro on the grand stage in Switzerland. This initiative not only aims to select the country's representative but also serves as a vital platform for young and unestablished performers to gain essential audiovisual visibility and experience.. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Cost-Sharing: A New Model for Eurovision Participation The festival, organized by RTCG in collaboration with the Association of Variety Artists and Performers of Montenegro, is set to invigorate the local music scene. By collaborating with the Association of Variety Artists and Performers of Montenegro, RTCG has strategically alleviated much of the financial burden typically associated with participating in the Eurovision Song...

Netherlands: EBU and AVROTROS Clash Over Eurovision Filming Dispute

August 15, 2024February 26, 2025 by Avi Zaikaner Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The EBU and AVROTROS are at odds regarding the existence of an agreement that prohibited filming Joost Klein backstage at Eurovision 2024, intensifying the dispute. The EBU and AVROTROS clash over filming agreements, sparking a heated debate on Eurovision's backstage dynamics. The ongoing dispute between the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS has intensified following the disqualification of Joost Klein from Eurovision 2024. The controversy centers on conflicting claims about filming agreements, with both parties presenting starkly different narratives. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Incident and Investigation Klein's disqualification stemmed from an incident during the Second Semi-Final, where he allegedly made a "threatening movement" towards an EBU camerawoman, hitting her camera. However, the Swedish Public Prosecutor's Office has since closed the investigation, unable to prove intent to threaten. Senior Prosecutor Fredrik Jönsson noted, "It's not possible to prove that the act was likely to cause serious fear." Dispute Over Filming Agreements The EBU maintains that no agreement was made to...

Portugal: Song Submissions Open for National Finals

August 14, 2024August 25, 2024 by Avi Zaikaner Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); RTP confirms that the representative will once again be chosen through the traditional Eurovision pre-selection 'Festival da Canção,' with the song submission window open until October 15. After the Portuguese national broadcaster, RTP, expressed its desire to participate in Eurovision 2025, which will be held in Switzerland, the song submission window is now open for artists wishing to participate in the local Eurovision pre-selection "Festival da Canção." The submission window will remain open until Tuesday, October 15. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Any citizen or resident of Portugal, whether living inside or outside the country, can submit a song for the festival until October 15. The festival will include 20 songs, with 14 songwriters invited by RTP with six additional songs selected through an open submission process. As every year, the selection process will consist of two semi-finals and a final, with six participants advancing from each semi-final to the final. Twelve songs will compete in the grand final...

San Marino: Auditions for “Una Voce per San Marino 2025” to Begin Next Month!

August 14, 2024August 25, 2024 by Avi Zaikaner Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The casting dates for San Marino's national selection, "Una Voce per San Marino 2025," have been revealed. Auditions will start in September and end in January. After San Marino confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2025 and announced that their representative will be chosen for the fourth consecutive time through the national selection "Una Voce per San Marino", the national broadcaster SMRTV has now disclosed the audition dates for the selection process: September 26-29, 2024 October 17-19, 2024 November 14-16, 2024 December 12-14, 2024 January 9-11, 2025 January 23-25, 2025 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The first stage of the San Marino national selection includes registration for the competition and the "casting" phase, through which 80 contestants will be selected to proceed to the semi-final stage. This will consist of four regular semi-finals, an additional semi-final for local artists, and a "second chance" semi-final. From these semi-finals, 11 artists will advance to the final, and the winner will be chosen...

“Yelled like an Angry Dog”: The Croatian Representative Against the Irish Representative at Eurovision

August 14, 2024October 25, 2024 by Avi Zaikaner Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Baby Lasagna, Croatia's Eurovision 2024 representative, criticizes backstage behavior, the treatment of the Israeli delegation by other delegations, and the disqualification of Dutch representative Joost Klein. Three months have passed since the Eurovision 2024 final held in Malmö, Sweden, and the drama and scenarios that occurred behind the scenes of the competition continue to be a topic of discussion. Now, the second-place winner, Croatia's representative Baby Lasagna, is interviewed on the Croatian podcast "Podcast Inkubator" along with his public relations manager, Krešimir Šustić. They express strong criticism regarding the conduct of this year's competition, the treatment of the Israeli delegation, and the actions of the contestants. Additionally, Baby Lasagna shares his perspective on the disqualification of the Netherlands' representative, Joost Klein, in Eurovision 2024. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 🚨🇭🇷🇮🇪🇮🇱 THE PLOT THICKENS (and also confirms what an employee told me last month). Baby Lasagna - 2nd place at this year’s #Eurovision - has done an interview for a Croatian podcast...

Slovakia: Is there new hope for the country’s return to Eurovision?

August 13, 2024August 25, 2024 by Avi Zaikaner Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); After the closure of the Slovak national broadcaster, RTVS, it seemed like it was the end of the country's chance to participate in future Eurovision Song Contests, but perhaps the last word has not been spoken. Approximately two months ago, Slovakia announced the permanent closure of its public television broadcaster, RTVS. This move was part of a controversial plan to replace RTVS with a new national broadcaster, Slovak Television and Radio (STVR), whose board would be appointed by the government. This decision raised concerns about press freedom, as it appeared to violate the European Union's freedom of the press law. The closure of RTVS also led to Slovakia's withdrawal from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and its exclusion from the Eurovision Song Contest until a new broadcaster could be established and join the union. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Establishment of New Broadcaster On July 1, the new Slovak national broadcaster, STVR, was officially established. Initially, the Slovak government faced...

Ireland: How much did Bambie Thug’s participation in Eurovision cost?

August 13, 2024August 25, 2024 by Avi Zaikaner Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Irish national broadcaster invested approximately €400,000 in Bambie Thug's participation in Eurovision 2024, a high amount compared to other countries. Bambie Thug, Ireland's representative at Eurovision 2024, brought the country back to the Grand Final for the first time since 2018 with an impressive result, finishing in sixth place. The cost of this achievement has now been revealed to be approximately €400,000. This amount funded a large delegation of 21 people, some of whom stayed in Malmö for a full 16 days. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Bambie Thug themselves, their dancer Matt Williams, the delegation's makeup artist Amy Heany, and the head of delegation Michael Kealy all flew to Malmö on April 26, 15 days before the Grand Final. Others, including commentator Marty Whelan, arrived on May 4, three days before the semi-final in which Ireland competed. The entire delegation returned to the country on May 12, the day after the Grand Final, with accommodation costs in...

Lithuania: Eurovision 2025 Participation Confirmed

August 13, 2024August 25, 2024 by Avi Zaikaner Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Lithuania confirms participation in Eurovision 2025 and opens registration for the national selection, through which the representative for the international contest will be chosen. The Lithuanian national broadcaster, LRT, confirms the country's participation in Eurovision 2025 and announces the opening of registration for the national selection "EUROVIZIJA.LT." The winner of this selection will represent Lithuania in the competition in Switzerland, making Lithuania the 24th country to express interest in participating in Eurovision 2025. Lithuania joins a lineup of countries that have shown interest in the upcoming contest, including Austria, Azerbaijan, Italy, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, Israel, Luxembourg, Latvia, Montenegro, Malta, Norway, San Marino, Spain, Serbia, Portugal, Finland, France, Cyprus, Croatia, Sweden, and the host country, Switzerland. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Submission Details and Competition Format The broadcaster has opened the song submission window, which will remain open until November 11, 2024. This year, they have extended the submission period in hopes of encouraging more people to write and...

Netherlands: Joost Klein Speaks Out After Case Dropped

August 13, 2024August 25, 2024 by Avi Zaikaner Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Following the closure of the police investigation, Joost Klein criticizes Eurovision's disqualification, asserting his innocence and questioning EBU's motives. Following the closure of the investigation by the Swedish police, Joost Klein, the Dutch representative for Eurovision 2024, and the Dutch TV network AVROTROS have responded publicly. The investigation, which lasted three months, was closed due to insufficient evidence to prosecute Klein, who had been accused of physically assaulting a Swedish photographer at the Eurovision venue. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) had disqualified Klein from the competition final just hours before it was set to begin, a decision that has since been criticized given the outcome of the investigation. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Joost Klein's Response Joost Klein expressed his relief and frustration on Instagram, stating: "The last couple of months were terrible... There is no case against me, because there never was a case." He criticized the EBU for prioritizing financial interests over individuals, saying, "Companies just want to...