HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 1: Five Contestants Advance to the Next Round

HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 1: Five Contestants Advance to the Next Round

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "HaKokhav HaBa" - Episode 1: The new season of "HaKokhav HaBa" for Eurovision 2026 began tonight. Five contestants passed to the next round. The advancing contestants are Alona Erez, Daniel Shevtsov, Gili Tsanaani, Tzahala Gazit, and Agam Hazan. "HaKokhav HaBa" for Eurovision 2026 - Here we start!!! The new season of "HaKokhav HaBa" officially kicked off tonight, bringing a wave of excitement both in the studio and among viewers at home. The season premiere promises once again to deliver the perfect blend of music, talent, and hope - to find Israel’s next Eurovision star, who might finally bring the long-awaited victory. The episode opened with a touching look back at Yuval Raphael’s journey to last year's Eurovision Song Contest. Raphael then took the stage to perform a short segment from her song, which captivated the international audience and secured Israel an impressive second place in Basel. This season’s well-known judges returned to the panel: Assaf Amdursky, Keren Peles, Shiri Maimon, Eden Hasson, and Itay Levi....
Read More
Tonight at 20:30 CET: The First Episode of “HaKokhav HaBa”!

Tonight at 20:30 CET: The First Episode of “HaKokhav HaBa”!

by Adiel Shtainmetz Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Tonight begins Israel’s search for its Eurovision 2026 representative. The first episode of the auditions of "HaKokhav HaBa" airs at 20:30 CET, hosted by Assi Azar and Rotem Sela. The official journey to select Israel’s Eurovision 2026 artist starts tonight. While the EBU has not yet finalized Israel's participation, the twelfth season of "HaKokhav HaBa" launches with a premiere episode immediately following the evening news. Filming began a month ago with audition stages that will be broadcast in the coming weeks. The show airs on Keshet 12 and Mako LIVE. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Hosts and Judges Assi Azar and Rotem Sela will continue hosting the twelfth season, expected to conclude in early February. Joining them on the judges’ panel are Assaf Amdursky, Shiri Maimon, Keren Peles, Itay Levi, and Eden Hasson, who previously served as judges when Yuval Raphael was chosen as Israel’s Eurovision representative. This season, Israel’s representative will open the show. Throughout the season, “guest judges” will...
Read More
Cyprus: CyBC Issues Statement on Eurovision 2026 Selection Process

Cyprus: CyBC Issues Statement on Eurovision 2026 Selection Process

by Maor Heumann Comment Closed
  (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); In response to public criticism, the Cypriot national broadcaster outlines the detailed selection process for Eurovision 2026, in which singer Antigoni was chosen to represent Cyprus On Thursday, Antigoni was officially announced as the Cypriot entrant for Eurovision 2026, making her the first confirmed participant for the contest set to take place in Vienna, Austria. This announcement followed conflicting reports from Greece and Cyprus indicating that the two finalists considered to represent Cyprus were Josephine and Giorgos Perris. The national broadcaster, CyBC, has now responded with an explanation of the selection process. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Dual-Phase Selection Structure Yesterday (Monday), the CyBC released an official statement detailing that the selection process for Cyprus’ Eurovision 2026 representative consisted of two stages. According to the statement, the first phase involved a panel of five music experts, each tasked with ranking nine potential artists with scores from 1 to 9, correlating to the total number of candidates. All nine candidates were proposed by Greek...
Read More
Bulgaria: New Details on Song and Artist Selection Revealed!

Bulgaria: New Details on Song and Artist Selection Revealed!

by Maor Heumann Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The country returns to Eurovision 2026 with a new selection combining public voting and jury choice; top Bulgarian artists are set to compete Bulgaria is making a comeback to Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria, following a three-year break since 2022, as revealed at the end of October. The Greek site Eurovisionfun has disclosed for the first time how Bulgaria will select its representative and song for the contest. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Selection Process: Public Vote and Expert Jury According to reports, the Bulgarian national broadcaster BNT will produce a televised competition to select the artist, which will be based on public voting. After the artist is chosen, a professional jury will internally select the song to be performed in Vienna. Not Exactly a National Final, Nor a Fully Internal Choice About a week ago, various Bulgarian media reported that Bulgaria will hold a national pre-Eurovision selection, with BNT inviting artists, bands, and producers to submit applications by year-end. The format...
Read More
Portugal: 660 Songs Submitted for “Festival da Canção 2026”!

Portugal: 660 Songs Submitted for “Festival da Canção 2026”!

by Adiel Shtainmetz Comment Closed
 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); RTP officially announced that 660 songs were submitted for "Festival da Canção 2026", which will determine its entry for Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria. Portugal’s national broadcaster revealed that a total of 660 songs were submitted for the local Eurovision selection show, "Festival da Canção 2026". This process will select Portugal’s entry for Eurovision 2026, set to take place in Vienna, Austria. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The national broadcaster officially declared that 660 songs were submitted for "Festival da Canção 2026", which will decide Portugal’s representative on the grand stage in Vienna. As we know, the submission window was open from September 25th to October 31st.​ This year, Portugal saw a moderate increase in entries compared to last year, although the number is still smaller than the extraordinary amount of submissions in 2024. Submissions' numbers in recent years: Festival da Canção 2023 - 667 songs. Festival da Canção 2024 - 809 songs. Festival da Canção 2025 - 633 songs. ...
Read More
CEO of ORF, Ronald Weissman in Jerusalem: “Israel Is an Integral Part of Eurovision”

CEO of ORF, Ronald Weissman in Jerusalem: “Israel Is an Integral Part of Eurovision”

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); CEO of the Austrian national broadcaster ORF, Ronald Weissmann visits Jerusalem, met with President Herzog and expressed steadfast support for Israel's participation in Eurovision amid boycott threats and upcoming EBU deliberations. Vienna is set to host the 70th Eurovision celebration this spring, but prior to the event, diplomacy is once again in the spotlight. Austrian national broadcaster CEO Ronald Weissmann arrived in Israel not only to plan for Eurovision 2026 but also to expressly support Israel’s inclusion in the contest. During his visit to the President’s residence in Jerusalem, Weissmann met President Isaac Herzog, broadcaster CEO Golan Yochpaz, and legal advisor Ayala Mizrahi. All attendees highlighted the importance of free expression and cultural independence for public media organizations. Yokhpaz stated, “There is no justification for excluding Israel from Eurovision”, and underlined that the national broadcaster continues to comply with EBU regulations and will persist in doing so. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Austria Stands with Israel During...
Read More
Sweden: Edward af Sillén Set to Write Song for Melodifestivalen for the First Time!

Sweden: Edward af Sillén Set to Write Song for Melodifestivalen for the First Time!

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Swedish media reports reveal exciting new artists joining Melodifestivalen 2026, including Edward af Sillén as a writer for the contest for the first time! 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 Smash Into Pieces, local outlets now point to another exciting addition - an American K-pop star well-known to Eurovision fans. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Noll2 Noll2 - This pop duo, comprising Jakob Westerlund and Wilmer Öberg, both 23, met in school and began creating music together in 2022. According to Expressen, they are set to compete in Melodifestivalen for the first time. Their debut single "Maja" in 2023 garnered millions of Spotify streams and was praised by local music journalists. Brandsta City Släckers Brandsta City Släckers - Established in 1994, this Swedish group competed in Melodifestivalen 2002...
Read More
A Shot of Success: “Espresso Macchiato” Surpassed 100 Million Streams on “Spotify”!

A Shot of Success: “Espresso Macchiato” Surpassed 100 Million Streams on “Spotify”!

by Rachel Geron Comment Closed
 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A huge achievement: the Eurovision hit “Espresso Macchiato”, enjoying international success and has surpassed 100 million streams on Spotify, earning its place among the contest’s most iconic songs. The song “Espresso Macchiato”, which took the Eurovision 2025 stage by storm. continues to make waves. After finishing third in the Grand Final, it has now become the 27th Eurovision entry ever to surpass 100 million streams on Spotify. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Over the past weekend, Estonian singer and rapper Tommy Cash, who represented Estonia at Eurovision 2025, crossed the 100-million-stream mark on Spotify a feat achieved by only 27 Eurovision songs so far. With this milestone, Tommy Cash joins the ranks of Eurovision hits that have gained global recognition, breaking far beyond Europe’s borders. The list includes past and present hits, among them: “Waterloo” by ABBA – one of the most well-known and successful Eurovision songs of all time, “Soldi” by Mahmood, which became a favorite at Eurovision 2019,...
Read More
Albania: Festivali i Këngës64 Songs to Be Revealed Next Friday!

Albania: Festivali i Këngës64 Songs to Be Revealed Next Friday!

by Maor Heumann Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Albania’s national broadcaster RTSH announced that the songs competing in the 64th Festivali i Këngës, which will determine Albania’s entry for Eurovision 2026, will be unveiled on November 21st The 64th edition of Albania’s national Eurovision pre-selection, Festivali i Këngës, will take place on December 17th–20th, 2025, featuring 28 participating artists. As the first pre-selection of the upcoming season, the festival has already drawn fans’ curiosity, and yesterday the national broadcaster RTSH released new details about the event. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Elhaida Dani Reveals Key Festival Details Elhaida Dani, the festival’s musical director, announced in an interview at the Tirana International Fair that the competing songs will be revealed on Friday, November 21th, exactly one month before the festival begins. Festivali i Këngës 64: Excitement Builds The upcoming edition promises to maintain the long-standing Albanian tradition of live orchestration and strong vocal performances. With Elhaida Dani at the musical helm, expectations are high for both...
Read More
A Storm Behind the Scenes: “Songvakeppnin” Stays Without a Date, Hosts, or Answers

A Storm Behind the Scenes: “Songvakeppnin” Stays Without a Date, Hosts, or Answers

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Uncertainty surrounds Iceland’s Eurovision 2026 participation as the national broadcaster RUV, delays its song submission deadline, amid confusion caused by controversy over Israel’s participation. Rúnar Freyr Gíslason, director of Iceland’s national Eurovision selection and project manager at the national broadcaster, stated that as of now, no submission deadline has been set for Söngvakeppnin 2026. According to him, the matter is expected to be clarified in the coming days. The scheduling uncertainty emerged following the cancellation of the EBU vote on Israel’s participation in Eurovision, a vote initially planned for November. This decision led to further confusion regarding Iceland’s preparation for "Songvakeppnin 2026". (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Growing Uncertainty Behind the Scenes of "Songvakeppnin 2026" The Icelandic national broadcaster RUV opened the submission window for Eurovision entries at the end of August, initially setting the song submission deadline for September 23rd. In October, the process was paused - at least temporarily - postponing the final date...
Read More