Spain Clarifies: Our Position on Israel’s Participation in Eurovision Has Not Changed

Spain Clarifies: Our Position on Israel’s Participation in Eurovision Has Not Changed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Spain has opened submissions for the competition that previously served as its Eurovision selection for 2027, but emphasizes: "Our Position Didn't Change" The Spanish national broadcaster RTVE continues to lead a critical stance regarding Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026, set to take place in Vienna. Despite the war in Gaza having ended several months ago, Spain reiterates that its position on Israel’s participation in the contest remains unchanged. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Despite its absence from the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest, RTVE has not halted the operation of Benidorm Fest, which has served since 2022 as the national selection for choosing Spain’s representative and song. One month after the latest edition aired, the national broadcaster officially launched today (Tuesday) the 2027 edition of the festival. At this stage, it remains unclear whether the winner will represent Spain in Eurovision in the future, or whether Spain will return to the competition at all. When asked whether the next festival winner...
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Melody Forced Back to Benidorm Fest by Spain’s “Chanel Clause”

Melody Forced Back to Benidorm Fest by Spain’s “Chanel Clause”

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Spain has withdrawn from Eurovision 2026 in protest and stripped Benidorm Fest of its pre-selection role, yet former representative Melody is still forced to perform there due to a strict contract clause. The Benidorm Fest 2026 final, taking place this Saturday (14 February), was originally meant to be the event where Spain selected its representative for the Eurovision Song Contest. Spain, however, has officially withdrawn from Eurovision 2026 in Vienna in protest against Israel’s participation, as part of an aggressive campaign led by the Spanish national broadcaster RTVE. Although the festival has effectively become a local music competition that will not send any act to Europe, the backstage drama refuses to die down. At the centre of the storm is Melody, who represented Spain at Eurovision 2025 and finished in a disappointing 24th place. Melody, who is in complete disconnect from the broadcaster and has even strongly criticised its conduct, will appear in the final despite the deep tensions and...
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Spain: RTVE humiliates Melody on live TV

Spain: RTVE humiliates Melody on live TV

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Spain's RTVE mocks Eurovision representative Melody on live TV with satirical subtitles. Singer responds by embracing competitor network amid ongoing broadcaster conflict. In Spain, Eurovision may last only one week, but the drama that follows can persist far longer. Singer Melody, who represented Spain at Eurovision 2025 and finished in a disappointing 24th place, has spent recent months embroiled in a media storm with Spain's national broadcaster, RTVE. This week, during New Year's Eve celebrations, the conflict exploded once again before the entire nation. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The "me, me, me" that irritated Spain Since returning from Basel with a low score, Melody has adopted a consistent narrative: "They didn't let me do what I wanted." In press conferences and interviews, she repeatedly emphasized that the screens weren't what she requested, decisions were made over her head, and delivered her now-famous line on the talk show "El Hormiguero": "I would rather finish 24th with my own mistakes than with someone else's mistakes." This self-focused approach, where...
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Spain Withdraws from Eurovision 2026 Following Israel’s Participation

Spain Withdraws from Eurovision 2026 Following Israel’s Participation

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Spain pulls out of Eurovision 2026 after Israel’s inclusion sparks outrage. RTVE decries “political interference,” ending 64 years of continuous participation. An unprecedented drama unfolded in Spain this evening (Thursday), as the Spanish national broadcaster (RTVE) officially confirmed that the country will not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. The dramatic announcement came just minutes after the general assembly vote of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in Geneva, where 738 members voted in favor of regulatory changes that allow Israel to remain in the contest. Spain has long been one of Israel’s most vocal opponents within the Eurovision arena, repeatedly conditioning its own participation on Israel’s removal from the competition. Moments before the decisive vote, Spain once again led efforts to block Israel, spearheading a campaign within the assembly against its inclusion - a motion that was not publicly scheduled for debate. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Spain has long been one of Israel’s most vocal opponents within the Eurovision arena,...
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Desperate Measures by Spain: Is This Proposal Would Lead to Israel’s Expulsion from Eurovision 2026?

Desperate Measures by Spain: Is This Proposal Would Lead to Israel’s Expulsion from Eurovision 2026?

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The EBU is expected to decide today (Thursday) on Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026, while Spain is preparing one last proposal. Will this move succeed in expelling Israel from the contest? Spain is considered one of the strongest opponents of Israel on the Eurovision stage and has repeatedly conditioned its own participation on Israel’s expulsion from the contest. Today (Thursday), the annual convention of the EBU is taking place, where the member broadcasters will, among other issues, discuss whether to allow Israel to participate in Eurovision 2026 in light of the security events of the past two years. Spain, which has publicly spoken out many times in an attempt to push for Israel’s removal, is now trying to advance yet another bid, in the hope that it will finally lead to Israel’s expulsion from the competition. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); According to the bid, any country involved in an armed conflict (war) would not be allowed to participate...
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Report: Spain Will Demand Israel’s Expulsion From Eurovision 2026 at the EBU Conference

Report: Spain Will Demand Israel’s Expulsion From Eurovision 2026 at the EBU Conference

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Spanish national broadcaster RTVE convened today at the joint committee of the Spanish Congress and Senate to discuss participation in Eurovision 2026. Spain seems firm in its stance and is expected to withdraw if Israel participates. The Spanish national broadcaster RTVE held today (Thursday) a joint committee of the Spanish Congress and Senate on the issue of control over the national broadcaster. During the meeting, representatives answered questions regarding public broadcasting in Spain, including one that has captivated Eurovision fans more than any other — whether Spain will participate in Eurovision 2026 and display a dramatic retreat, or continue with the hardline stance it has taken against Israel and its allies in the contest. It now appears Spain remains entrenched in its position and aims to push for Israel’s disqualification at the upcoming meeting of the EBU, scheduled for next week. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Spanish national broadcaster RTVE met today (Thursday) at 16:00 CET, for the...
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Spain: Decision on Participation in Eurovision 2026 to Be Announced on Thursday

Spain: Decision on Participation in Eurovision 2026 to Be Announced on Thursday

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Spain will reveal on Thursday whether it will participate in Eurovision 2026, as a joint parliamentary–national broadcaster committee questions RTVE’s leadership ahead of the European Broadcasting Union General Assembly. The Spanish national broadcaster RTVE will appear this Thursday before the joint committee of the Spanish Congress and Senate on oversight of the national broadcaster, where its management will respond to various questions concerning public broadcasting in Spain. One key issue that particularly interests Eurovision fans is whether Spain will participate in Eurovision 2026 and signal a significant climbdown, or whether it will maintain the hard line it has led against Israel and its allies in the contest. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); On Thursday at 16:00 (CET), the joint committee of the Congress and Senate responsible for supervising the Spanish national broadcaster will convene, during which RTVE’s leadership will have to answer questions from different politicians. This public hearing is part of the legal obligations of the Spanish national broadcaster, which...
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Spain: RTVE Makes Another Statement Against Israel’s Participation in Eurovision

Spain: RTVE Makes Another Statement Against Israel’s Participation in Eurovision

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Following the meeting between the Austrian broadcaster’s CEO and Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Spain’s broadcaster president accuses Eurovision’s host of politicization and levels harsh criticism. The rift among Europe’s broadcasters continues to deepen. The president of the Spanish national broadcaster RTVE, José Pablo López, launched an unprecedented public attack today against the Austrian national broadcaster — host of Eurovision 2026 — and the EBU. The trigger was the widely reported visit by top Austrian TV officials to Jerusalem and their meeting with Israel’s President Isaac Herzog — a move López claims exposes “the politicization of the contest” and bias in favor of Israel. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); López’s remarks came in response to reports suggesting Austrian officials are engaging in talks to persuade Spain and others not to withdraw from the contest in protest of Israel’s participation. Austria’s broadcaster CEO Roland Weissmann recently declared it was “Time for diplomacy within the EBU, [...] We will discuss, talk, listen, and try to persuade”. Weissmann’s statement referred...
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Benidorm Fest 2026: RTVE to Release Song Snippets ahead of Song Release

Benidorm Fest 2026: RTVE to Release Song Snippets ahead of Song Release

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); RTVE adds a new twist to Benidorm Fest 2026, unveiling 20-second song previews a week before the official song release. The Spanish national broadcaster RTVE has introduced a new and intriguing element in the timeline of its national Eurovision selection, Benidorm Fest 2026. Alongside the recent announcement of the 18 competing artists, it was confirmed that the full songs will be released on December 18. However, audiences will not have to wait that long for a first taste: RTVE’s management revealed a new preview stage featuring short snippets of each entry. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 20 Seconds of Fame: Snippets Coming December 11 Until now, the official release date for all 18 competing songs was set for December 18. But during the BIME conference in Bilbao, RTVE executive Sergio Calderón shared that fans will get an early glimpse. On December 11, exactly one week before the full unveiling, the national broadcaster will publish 20-second snippets from each of the 18 entries. This move...
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Melody On Eurovision 2025: Contest Is “Political”

Melody On Eurovision 2025: Contest Is “Political”

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Spain’s Eurovision 2025 singer Melody breaks her silence, calling the contest political and sparking debate about RTVE’s actions and its role in the event’s controversy. Five months have passed since the Eurovision 2025 Grand Final, and it seems Spain’s representative, Melody, is finally ready to say what she really thinks. In a new interview for the radio program “Dial Tal Cual,” the singer confirmed what many had long suspected: “Eurovision is not really a music festival.” When the host, Rafa Cano, asked, “Is it political?” Melody responded firmly: “Yes.” (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});   הצגת פוסט זה באינסטגרם   ‏‎פוסט משותף על ידי ‏‎Cadena Dial Oficial‎‏ (@‏‎cadena_dial‎‏)‎‏ This statement stands in stark contrast to her tone during the stormy press conference she held on May 26. Back then, Melody firmly refused to address political issues—especially those surrounding Israel’s participation. “I’m not allowed to talk about politics; it’s in my contract,” she insisted, adding only a general statement about “love and peace in the world.” Interpretation: The Artist Caught Between Art and Politics So, what has changed?...
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