News Archives - Page 95 of 271

Vienna launches Eurovision 2026 countdown: Thousands of performers join the celebration

December 27, 2025 by Maor Heumann Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Vienna kicks off the Eurovision 2026 countdown with a New Year’s Eve clock reveal and thousands of global artists applying for participation Vienna has entered the countdown phase toward Eurovision 2026, set to take place in May. Austria’s capital announced that as part of its New Year’s Eve festivities, a large and impressive countdown clock will be unveiled precisely at midnight. It will be displayed on a giant LED screen on the Ringstrasse boulevard, facing the famous Rathausplatz square. The clock will remain on display until the Eurovision Grand Final, while visitors enjoy live performances of iconic Eurovision hits throughout the festival events held at the location. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Creative energy around the competition Beyond the anticipated clock reveal, enthusiasm for the contest is sparking creativity among artists. According to the Austrian national broadcaster ORF, more than 2,000 dancers and singers from around the world have applied to participate in the stand‑in rehearsals for the upcoming competition. These...

Report in Greece: Three Early Favorites Emerge to Represent the Country at Eurovision 2026

December 27, 2025 by Neta Geffen Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Greek media reports suggest that three submitted songs have stood out ahead of "Sing For Greece 2026". As Greece prepares for its national selection, "Sing For Greece 2026", an intriguing report has surfaced that may hint at the musical direction the country is aiming for this year. According to a publication by the Greek newspaper Ethnos, three songs have stood out in particular among all submissions and are currently considered leading contenders to represent Greece at Eurovision 2026, set to take place in May in Vienna, Austria. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Report: Three Titles Repeatedly Mentioned According to a source cited in the report, an individual who was exposed to all the songs submitted to the Greek national broadcaster ERT indicated that three entries made an especially strong impression. These are the song titles that were published: Unbreakable Odos Ermou (In English: "Ermou Street") On the Dark Side of the Moon At this stage,...

Portugal: The Lineup for “Festival Da Canção 2026” Semi-Finals Revealed

December 27, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The organizers of "Festival Da Canção 2026" announced today on social media the breakdown of the 16 contestants for the two semi-finals to be held on February 21st and 28th. Which artist will be in each semi-final? The organizers of the traditional "Festival da Canção 2026" announced today (Saturday) the division of 16 contestants into two semi-finals of the competition. The festival has served as Portugal’s Eurovision selection process since the country joined the contest in 1964. However, this year it remains uncertain whether the winner will represent Portugal at Eurovision 2026, to be held in Vienna, Austria. As previously reported, 13 contestants have declared that they will not take part in Eurovision if Israel remains in the competition. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "Festival Da Canção 2026": Semi-Finals Allocation First Semi-Final – Saturday, February 21st: Agridoce Evaya Marquise Djeodje Dinis Mota Bateu Matou Andre Amaro Nunca Mates o Madarim Second Semi-Final – Saturday, February 28th: Bandidos do Cante Cristina Branco Inês Sousa ...

Malta: Baby Lasagna to perform at “MESC 2026” final!

December 26, 2025January 12, 2026 by Aviad Berger Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Malta’s national broadcaster PBS revealed that Baby Lasagba will perform as a special guest during the final of “MESC 2026” Baby Lasagna, who represented Croatia at Eurovision 2024 with the fan-favorite hit “Rim Tim Tagi Dim”, will take the stage at Malta’s national selection “MESC 2026” as a guest performer, the national broadcaster PBS announced. This move further strengthens the bond between the Eurovision Song Contest and the various national selections across Europe. It aims to give Malta’s competition a fresh, international flair that resonates with younger audiences. The appearance of Baby Lasagna, who finished second at Eurovision 2024 after winning the public vote and achieving massive success, is expected to draw strong interest from Eurovision fans across the continent. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); In the Maltese selection, 18 contestants will compete in a single semi-final scheduled for Thursday, January 15, 2026. The voting will be evenly divided - 50% from a professional jury and 50% from the public. The...

Montesong Scandal: Krstinja Slams Nina Žižić After Tamara’s Win

December 25, 2025 by Noy Yehoyada Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Montesong scandal in Montenegro: Krstinja Todorović attacks judge Nina Žižić after Tamara Živković’s win. Organizers condemn contestants’ conduct amid festival chaos. It seemed Montenegro had peacefully chosen its representative for Eurovision 2026, Tamara Živković, during a festive and uneventful evening. But the real drama began once the cameras stopped rolling. Krstinja Todorović, who placed fourth in the national final “Montesong”, launched a harsh and personal online attack against head juror and former Montenegrin representative Nina Žižić. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); “How are you not ashamed?” Todorić’s outrage erupted after discovering that Žižić, as the head of the jury, had awarded her just four points for her performance of “Oli Oli.” On Instagram, the disappointed singer posted a passionate series of stories attacking Nina’s professional and personal credibility. “I would like to ask Mrs. Žižić – that was her name, right? – what criteria she used to distribute her points,” Todorović wrote angrily. She went on to mock Nina’s previous Eurovision performance in Basel: “Considering...

Portugal: The First “Yes” to Eurovision 2026!

December 25, 2025 by Rachel Geron Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); After 13 contestants in Portugal’s "Festival da Canção" threatened a boycott over Israel’s participation, Bandidos do Cante say they want to represent Portugal at Eurovision 2026 and remind everyone – music comes first. For the first time since the contestants for Portugal’s Festival da Canção were announced, one competing act has declared that it will not boycott Eurovision 2026. The group Bandidos do Cante are the first - and so far the only - contestants to state openly: If we win, we will represent Portugal on the Eurovision stage in Vienna, Austria. The band’s statement comes after 13 other contestants in the competition announced that they would boycott Eurovision in protest of Israel’s participation. Within this charged climate, the members of Bandidos do Cante choose a different path – conciliatory, unifying, and above all optimistic. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); “Believe in the power of songs to bring people together” Bandidos do Cante are made up of five childhood friends from...

Bulgaria: National Final Artists to be Revealed in the Next Two Weeks

December 25, 2025January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Bulgarian national broadcaster BNT is preparing to reveal the list of contenders for the national final that will select Bulgaria’s representative for Eurovision 2026, in the coming two weeks. According to Mila Hristova, head of Marketing and Strategic Development at BNT, the names of the artists participating in the Bulgarian national final are expected to be published next week or at the latest in the early days of the new calendar year. Hristova noted that the broadcaster is in the final stage of preparations for the contest, and contracts with the artists who will participate in the national final are being signed at present. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A Star-Studded Selection with Leading Artists The Bulgarian national selection will adopt a new format and will involve 15 of the country’s top artists, selected by BNT. In the first night, on January 24th, each contestant will receive a score from five judges, ranging from 1 to 5, while the public will...

Croatia: “Dora 2026” entries to be revealed on January 8th!

December 24, 2025January 12, 2026 by Aviad Berger Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Croatian national broadcaster HRT revealed this morning that the 24 entries that will compete in "Dora 2026", will be revealed on January 8th! Exactly three weeks after revealing the 24 participants who are set to take part in Croatia’s national pre-selection "Dora 2026" ahead of Eurovision 2026, the Croatian national broadcaster HRT announced this morning (Wednesday) the official date when the 24 competing songs will be released. According to Croatia’s Head of Delegation, Tomislav Štengl, the songs will be revealed in about two weeks, on January 8. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); List of contestants of "Dora 2026": The singer Karolina Ilić, who was originally part of the official line-up, was disqualified from the competition after it became clear that she is not a Croatian citizen. According to the Dora regulations, all participants must hold Croatian citizenship. Her place was taken by singer Gabrijel Ivić, who had been listed among the reserve contestants revealed by the national broadcaster in case of withdrawal by another participant. We...

Latvia: Lineup for “Supernova 2026” Semifinals Revealed

December 24, 2025January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Latvia's national broadcaster, LTV, revealed the lineup of contestants for “Supernova 2026”. Who will perform in the first semifinal, and who in the second? The full list - Below! Latvia’s national broadcaster, LTV, published yesterday (Tuesday) the official lineup of 24 artists who are competing in “Supernova 2026”, across the two semifinals scheduled for January 31st and February 7th. In each semifinal, 12 contestants will compete, with five contestants from each semifinal expected to advance to the grand final, totaling ten contestants, while an additional slot remains at the discretion of the Latvian broadcaster, which reserves the right to grant a second chance to a song that did not reach the final. The winner of the final, to be held on February 14th, will represent the country at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); First Semi-Final - Saurday, January 31st Agnesse - "Oh My My" Aivo Oskis - "Walking Out" Antra Stafecka - "Divejada" Blurie...

HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 20: Shaia Avitan Is the Fifth Contestant Eliminated From the Show

December 23, 2025January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Shaia Avitan is the fifth contestant to bid farewell to HaKokhav HaBa. 16 contestants remain in the race, including Alona Erez, Shira Zloof, Dorin Or, and Eitan Aharon. Full recap of Episode 20. 16 contestants remain at this stage in "HaKokhav HaBa for Eurovision 2026". with the grand winner set to represent Israel at Eurovision 2026, which will take place in Vienna, Austria, on May 12th, 14th, and 16th. The next stage is the "Duets" challenge. Four duets were performed tonight, with the judges forced to part ways with one contestant from the pair that received the lowest score at the end of the evening. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Shaked Solomon and Nave Levi Shaked and Nave chose to perform the song “Ad Matai Elohai” (originally by Zohar Argov). The blend of their voices was intriguing — it's hard to ignore the resemblance between Nave’s tone and that of the legendary singer Zohar Argov. Shaked sang in a lower key, making his parts softer and more delicate. At no point did they sing...