HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 5: Five Contestants Advance to the Next Round

HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 5: Five Contestants Advance to the Next Round

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "HaKokhav HaBa" - Episode 5: Five contestants passed to the next round. The advancing contestants are Itay Evron, Bar Nir, David Ossona, Stav Vaknin and Portrait Band. Tonight, the fifth episode of the reality show “HaKokhav HaBa" aired, through which Israel’s representative for Eurovision 2026 will be chosen. This evening featured six auditions, with five contestants succeeding and moving on to the next round thanks to the support of the judges and the studio audience. One of them might go on to represent Israel in Eurovision this coming May. The panel once again included Assaf Amdursky, Keren Peles, Shiri Maimon, Eden Hasson, and Itay Levi, with Dana International joining as guest judges. Each contestant must receive at least 70% of the votes to advance, and every judge contributes 12% to the total voting score. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Itay Evron Itay Evron, 23 years old from Ziona, plays the piano and is a student at the Rimon School, where he met Keren Peles and performed with her...
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Preparing for 2026: Which Are the Best Eurovision National Selections Around Europe?

Preparing for 2026: Which Are the Best Eurovision National Selections Around Europe?

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); What can we expect from a national final for Eurovision 2026? In the second article in the “Preparing for 2026” series, we compare between the different Eurovision selections, and examine them in different criteria. Article by Ilay Gaist and Adiel Shtainmetz. Every year, with the revival of the Eurovision season, thousands of fans across Europe fall in love with certain songs and hope they will finish high in their national finals and go on to represent their country at Eurovision. In the second article of the series, "Preparing for 2026", we dive into the most captivating topics around Europe’s Eurovision national finals, and focus on the key statistics underlying the most notable national finals across Europe. Join us as we explore, in detail, the legacy and numbers behind these shows: Which national finals are the oldest? Which are deeply rooted traditions within their countries? Which have produced the best results? Which national finals stand out as the most exciting...
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Italy: “Festival Di Sanremo” Contestants to be Revealed on November 30th

Italy: “Festival Di Sanremo” Contestants to be Revealed on November 30th

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Italian national broadcaster RAI announced today that it will reveal the participants in the "Festival Di Sanremo 2026" on November 30th. The Italian national broadcaster, RAI, announced that the list of contestants for the 76th edition of "Festival Di Sanremo" will be disclosed on November 30th during the "Tg1" television program airing at 13:30 CET. The contestants will be revealed by the artistic director and festival host, Carlo Conti. The festival will take place from February 24th to 28th, featuring 24 artists competing, with the winner earning the opportunity to represent Italy at Eurovision 2026. In case the winner declines to represent Italy, the broadcaster will select its representative from among the Sanremo competitors. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Although the official Sanremo Festival participant list has not yet been published, recent leaks suggest several former Italian representatives are likely to return. The most frequently mentioned names by industry sources include: Angelina Mango –...
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Sweden: Three More Artists Expected to Participate in Melodifestivalen 2026!

Sweden: Three More Artists Expected to Participate in Melodifestivalen 2026!

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Swedish media continues to report on additional artists expected to participate in Melodifestivalen 2026. And now, just before the list closes, three new artists revealed. Melodifestivalen 2026, Sweden’s national final for Eurovision 2026, is already generating buzz across Europe as Swedish media reveal some of the artists expected to compete. Following reports of possible returns from familiar names such as Robin Bengtsson, Fröken Snusk, and Medina, Swedish media reports that additional artists are expected to participate in the competition — a returning female artist, a guitarist of a well-known musician, and a singer with a name especially similar to a beloved former contestant. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet disclosed that the national broadcaster SVT has finalized the selection of 30 artists to perform in Melodifestivalen 2026, with their songs approved for next year’s competition. Three of the latest names disclosed are: Timo Räisänen Timo Räisänen, 46, guitarist in the backing band for Swedish musician Håkan Hellström, who began...
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Poland: Major Overhaul for “Poland Decides 2026”

Poland: Major Overhaul for “Poland Decides 2026”

by Oscar Diefenthal Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A star-studded evening, ticket sales, and an unprecedented production: Poland’s national broadcaster TVP prepares for the biggest upgrade in the history of its Eurovision selection. Poland’s path to Eurovision 2026 is set to undergo a historic transformation. The Polish national broadcaster, TVP, is preparing a large-scale live event for the upcoming national final, marking the first time the show will be staged in a major arena with ticket sales open to the public. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Arena Spectacle and International Guests The live final is scheduled for February 14th, 2026, though the exact venue has yet to be announced. TVP sources have described the project as the most ambitious national selection in Poland’s history, designed to host thousands of fans and capture the atmosphere of a true international concert. In addition to competing Polish artists, the evening will feature performances by international Eurovision stars, invited to elevate the show’s prestige and attract wider European attention. The format shift...
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Iceland Backtracks? Signs of a Lift on the Boycott of Israel at Eurovision 2026

Iceland Backtracks? Signs of a Lift on the Boycott of Israel at Eurovision 2026

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Iceland nears a decision on Eurovision 2026 participation as sweeping voting reforms might lead its national broadcaster to withdraw its boycott pledge if Israel remains part of the competition. The Icelandic national broadcaster RÚV released a statement from its Director General, Stefán Eiríksson, regarding the Eurovision law reform: “This is clearly a step in the right direction”. Eiríksson appears to welcome the changes, viewing them as a constructive response to criticism surrounding last year’s contest—mainly regarding Israel’s participation. He expressed optimism about the new rules, while hinting that RÚV is still carefully assessing the overall situation. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Iceland Slowly Returns, Politics Still Hold the Stage This position marks a stark contrast to that of countries opposing Israel’s participation, which expressed strong dissatisfaction with the EBU’s announcement of a major Eurovision 2026 voting system reform. The turnaround - intended to rebuild public trust by strengthening the influence of professional juries who withheld votes from Israel over the...
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The Netherlands Celebrates: Eurovision Stars of All Time Reunite on Het Grote’s Stage

The Netherlands Celebrates: Eurovision Stars of All Time Reunite on Het Grote’s Stage

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Amsterdam hosted the fifth annual "Het Grote Songfestivalfeest 2025", where 24 beloved Eurovision artists from across Europe took the stage for one festive night of music and nostalgia. The Dutch Eurovision show "Het Grote Songfestivalfeest" (in English: "The Big Song Festival Party") took place at Amsterdam’s Ziggo Dome, a venue with a 17,000-seat capacity in the Dutch capital. The show was first launched at the end of 2019 in honor of the Netherlands’ victory at Eurovision 2019, held in Tel Aviv, featuring the song "Arcade", as well as to celebrate the Eurovision contest that was supposed to take place in Rotterdam in 2020 but was, as is known, postponed to 2021. The event offers fans the chance to see all their favorite artists united on one stage with a variety of musical styles. The event was once again hosted by Edsilia Rombley (Netherlands’ representative in 1998 and 2007 and host of Eurovision 2021), television presenter Cornald Maas, joined by Rylan...
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Countries Opposing Israel’s Participation in Eurovision React to the EBU Statement

Countries Opposing Israel’s Participation in Eurovision React to the EBU Statement

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A day of drama: TV networks opposing Israel's participation in Eurovision respond critically to the EBU’s statement, expressing strong dissatisfaction and signaling growing tension ahead of the December assembly. The Norwegian national broadcaster NRK reported today that the discussion regarding Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026, scheduled for December 4th as part of the organization’s general assembly, has been entirely canceled. According to the report, the EBU decided that Israel will be allowed to participate in Eurovision as usual. The countries opposing Israel’s participation - Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Slovenia - issued statements, some defiant in tone, expressing clear dissatisfaction with the decision. It should be noted that the EBU has not confirmed the report, and the discussion and potential vote on Israel’s participation remain on the agenda as long as no official confirmation has been received. Therefore, Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 is still not guaranteed. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); This morning, the European...
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Drama: Has the Discussion on Israel’s Participation in Eurovision 2026 Been Cancelled?

Drama: Has the Discussion on Israel’s Participation in Eurovision 2026 Been Cancelled?

by Ofek Jerassi Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Israel in Eurovision: According to Norway’s national broadcaster, NRK, the planned discussion on Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 has been cancelled, reportedly allowing Israel to compete in the contest as usual. The Norwegian national broadcaster NRK reports that the discussion concerning Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026, which was scheduled for December 4 as part of the organization’s General Assembly, has been entirely cancelled. According to NRK, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has decided that Israel will be allowed to participate in the contest as usual. For the issue to be reopened for a vote, member broadcasters would have to agree that the newly approved guidelines “do not sufficiently protect neutrality and impartiality in the competition.” It should be noted that the EBU has not confirmed the Norwegian report. Therefore, both the discussion concerning Israel and any potential vote that may result from it remain pending until such confirmation is provided. Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 is therefore not yet guaranteed. ...
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Drama: Major Changes to Eurovision 2026 Voting Rules!

Drama: Major Changes to Eurovision 2026 Voting Rules!

by Neta Geffen Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Ahead of Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, the EBU announces a comprehensive voting reform - limiting political campaigns, reinstating juries in Semi-Finals, reducing vote caps, and strengthening anti-fraud security systems. The EBU has unveiled a series of significant updates to the Eurovision Song Contest’s voting framework, designed to enhance public trust, increase transparency, and ensure fair competition - ahead of the Contest’s 70th anniversary, set for May 2026 in Vienna, Austria. "We’ve listened and we’ve acted" said Martin Green, Director of the Contest: "The neutrality and integrity of the Eurovision Song Contest is of paramount importance to the EBU, its Members, and all our audiences. It is essential that the fairness of the Contest is always protected. We are taking clear and decisive steps to ensure the contest remains a celebration of music and unity. The Contest should remain a neutral space and must not be instrumentalized". The announcement follows extensive consultation with member broadcasters and an independent review conducted after...
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