News Archives - Page 8 of 269

Eurovision 2027: VRT Confirms Belgium Will Participate

September 23, 2026 by Oscar Diefenthal Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); VRT confirms Belgium will participate in Eurovision 2027 after discussions with the EBU over Israel and changes to the Contest’s rules. Belgium has officially confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2027. The decision comes after Flemish national broadcaster VRT received additional time from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to decide whether it would take part, amid concerns over participating alongside Israel. VRT has now given a positive response, while maintaining reservations over several issues. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); ‏ According to VRT, the national broadcaster had remained in ongoing dialogue with the EBU regarding concerns it had previously raised, with Israel’s participation at the centre of the dispute. VRT had once again questioned whether a country involved in a large-scale military conflict should be able to continue participating in Eurovision, and called on the EBU to provide clearer and more transparent rules and criteria for determining which countries are eligible to participate. VRT explains its decision VRT...

Netherlands Return to Eurovision 2027 Despite AVROTROS Boycott

September 23, 2026September 23, 2026 by Ofek Jerassi Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); NOS will represent the Netherlands at Eurovision 2027 after AVROTROS announced another boycott over Israel’s participation. The Netherlands will return to compete in Eurovision 2027, held in Burgas, Bulgaria. The country's highly anticipated return comes after AVROTROS, the national broadcaster traditionally responsible for the Dutch Eurovision entry, announced a boycott of the contest and issued another strongly worded statement criticizing Israel. The Netherlands is the 27th country to confirm its participation in the coveted competition. Other countries that have already confirmed their participation include Israel, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, Finland, Canada, which will make its Eurovision debut, and host country Bulgaria. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The boycott - and the return anyway In mid-August, AVROTROS, the national broadcaster that has traditionally selected and sent the Dutch Eurovision entry, announced that it would continue to boycott the Eurovision Song Contest in the coming year. In its statement, AVROTROS argued that the competition is not neutral,...

EBU Replaces Reference Group With New ESC Committee for Eurovision

September 23, 2026October 3, 2026 by Nicole Postelnik Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The EBU replaces its Reference Group with a new ESC Committee following pressure from national broadcasters VRT and NPO ahead of Eurovision. After almost three decades, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is dismantling the Reference Group and establishing a new committee in its place to return decision-making power to member broadcasters. The decision follows heavy pressure from Belgian national broadcaster VRT and Dutch national broadcaster NPO, which recently announced their participation in Eurovision 2027. These countries demanded transparency, tighter oversight, and direct involvement in sensitive decision-making after the events of recent years, during which Israeli participation remained at the center of the storm. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The dissolution of the Reference Group, which was established back in 1998, ends an era of governance within the EBU. The new committee that will be established in its place (ESC Committee) will report directly to the EBU Executive Board and transfer decision-making authority to EBU member broadcasters regarding all matters related...

From Eurovision to GTA 6: Cliff Richard’s In An Unexpected Crossover

September 22, 2026September 27, 2026 by Avrumi Herz Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); More than five decades after representing the United Kingdom: Cliff Richard's “Devil Woman” is set to feature in GTA 6. Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6), possibly the most anticipated video game in history, will have a background track from none other than British Eurovision legend Cliff Richard, with a bit of a twist. Richard represented the United Kingdom twice at Eurovision, finishing second in 1968 with “Congratulations” and third in 1973 with “Power to All Our Friends.” His appearance in the GTA universe is an unexpected crossover, introducing the Eurovision icon to an audience very different from the one typically associated with the contest. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); ‏Many in the Eurovision fandom know Cliff Richard mostly for his runner-up entry "Congratulations" in 1968, which lost to Massiel of Spain's "La la la" and later became the subject of long-running allegations that the Franco regime had sought to influence the contest’s outcome. He's also known for finishing...

RAI Announces Sanremo 2027 Rules: Huge Change for Italy at Eurovision

September 22, 2026 by Adiel Shtainmetz Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Two different winners at Sanremo 2027: The Italian Eurovision entry will now be chosen on the fourth night, alongside strict AI bans. The Italian national broadcaster (RAI) has published the official regulations for the 77th edition of the Sanremo Festival, which will take place between February 16th and 20th, 2027, at the Teatro Ariston. The most dramatic innovation in the rulebook brings one of the biggest changes in the modern history of the competition: the winner of the Sanremo Festival will no longer automatically win the right to represent Italy at Eurovision. How exactly will the representative be chosen? The full details are below. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A New Sanremo's Era The Italian national broadcaster published the official regulations for Sanremo 2027, set to be held between February 16th and 20th under the artistic direction of Stefano De Martino. This year, 24 artists are expected to compete, but the most dramatic news concerns the identity of the Eurovision...

Spain Could Return to Eurovision 2027 Alongside Israel

September 22, 2026October 17, 2026 by Oscar Diefenthal Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); RTVE president José Pablo López backs Spain’s Eurovision 2027 boycott over Israel, but the final decision remains with the RTVE board. Could one of the Eurovision Song Contest’s Big Five countries remain absent from the competition for a second consecutive year? José Pablo López, president of Spain’s national broadcaster RTVE, announced today (Tuesday) that he will recommend that the broadcaster’s board continue Spain’s non-participation in Eurovision 2027. Appearing before the parliamentary committee overseeing RTVE, López claimed that Spain had led calls for an “ethical renewal” within the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), but that not all of Spain’s demands had been met - above all, the exclusion of Israel from the competition. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); “It hurts that Israel will continue to participate” “We negotiated tougher competition rules, sanctions for any attempt at political exploitation, and guarantees of complete neutrality in sponsorships and in the competition itself,” López said. “These things were achieved thanks to RTVE, but I will not...

When Eurovision Lost Its Mind: 10 Unforgettable Blunders

September 20, 2026 by Maor Heumann Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); From disastrous vocals to live stage walk-offs, we review 10 outrageous Eurovision moments that pushed boundaries and shocked fans worldwide. Yom Kippur is the time for reflection, forgiveness, and atonement. But looking back at nearly seven decades of Eurovision history, there are moments where it feels like the EBU and participating nations owe viewers a massive apology. From screeching off-key vocals to baffling choreography and cheap provocations that pushed the format to its limits, here are 10 moments when the world's biggest music contest completely lost its composure. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 1. Spain 2008: Toy Guitars and European Circus When the Spanish public was given total control through an open online vote, they selected Rodolfo Chikilicuatre, a comedic character wearing a puffed wig and wielding a yellow plastic toy guitar. The song "Baila el Chiki Chiki" turned the stage in Belgrade into an awkward circus. It served as a prime example of populist voting exploitation that left hardcore...

SVT Unveils Melodifestivalen Dates and Host Cities

September 18, 2026 by Tal Dahan Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); SVT has officially revealed the host cities and dates for Melodifestivalen 2027 to select Sweden's next Eurovision entry. The 2027 Eurovision season officially kicked off on September 1st, and Swedish national broadcaster SVT is pressing ahead with preparations for its iconic national selection, Melodifestivalen. SVT officially unveiled the cities that will host the six live shows, which will feature five heats and a Grand Final. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Melodifestivalen 2027 Tour Dates The Melodifestivalen 2027 season will officially launch on Saturday, February 6th, live on SVT. The Grand Final will take place five weeks later, on March 13th. Following the song submission deadline on September 11th, a professional jury panel will select the 30 songs competing next year, all hoping to represent Sweden at Eurovision 2027. Heat 1 - February 6th - Karlstad, Löfbergs Arena Heat 2 - February 13th - Gothenburg, Scandinavium Heat 3 - February 20th - Malmö, Malmö Arena Heat 4 - February 27th -...

UK Parliament Launches Inquiry Into BBC Eurovision Failures

September 18, 2026 by Nicole Postelnik Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); British parliament will question BBC over dismal Eurovision results following Look Mum No Computer finishing in last place. British Members of Parliament are set to summon representatives of the British national broadcaster BBC, alongside the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, for a hearing that will deeply investigate the country's failures in the Eurovision Song Contest, likely leading to a reconsideration of the selection process. This move comes after Look Mum No Computer finished in last place in the grand final this past year with just a single point. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); ‎‏ This hearing is expected to put British results in the contest at center stage and investigate how a global music powerhouse like the UK crashes to the bottom of the scoreboard in Eurovision year after year. Representatives from the music industry and the British national broadcaster may explain how British entries are currently selected, as well as discuss possible changes to the process. Later on,...

Slovenia’s Eurovision 2027 Decision: Not About Israeli Participation

September 18, 2026 by Ofek Jerassi Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); RTVSLO has yet to confirm Slovenia for Eurovision 2027, but reports indicate financial concerns - not Israel - are behind the uncertainty. Slovenia has still not confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2027 in Bulgaria and is prepared for another round of negotiations with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). According to reports in the Slovenian media, the main issue that could prevent the country from participating is the financial cost, while the issue of Israel’s participation has completely disappeared from the discussion. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Participate or Not - Israel Is Not the Issue According to a response from Slovenia’s national broadcaster RTVSLO to evrovizija.com, the country’s participation in Eurovision has not yet been approved in discussions with the European Broadcasting Union. However, it now appears that the reasons are primarily structural and financial, with the issue of Israel having completely dropped off the agenda and no statements being made about it. Slovenia’s national broadcaster is not particularly wealthy, yet...