Category: Spain

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Spanish national broadcaster’s president criticized the EBU and Israel, sparking speculation that Spain’s budgetary and political pressure accelerated the vote on Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 Just hours before the official announcement that the EBU would advance the vote on Israel’s potential exclusion from Eurovision 2026 from December to November, the president of the Spanish national broadcaster RTVE, Jose Pablo Lopez Sanchez, lashed out at the handling of the crisis by the EBU. The question arises whether RTVE’s strong stance contributed to the sudden decision to accelerate the process. Did a clash occur between RTVE and the EBU, fueled also by budgetary concerns, with Spain’s central role in financing the major event influencing the timing of the vote? Appearing yesterday before the Spanish Parliament’s supervisory committee on public broadcasting, Lopez Sanchez openly criticized the EBU and Israel, stating: ""It was time to break the silence within the EBU regarding the genocide in Gaza. The damage that the...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Spain confirms withdrawal from Eurovision 2026 if Israel participates. Why does Spain matter more than others? Should Israel be scared? The Spanish national broadcaster RTVE has confirmed that Spain will withdraw from Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria, if Israel participates in it. Spain is the fourth country to deliver such statement after Slovenia, Ireland and the Netherlands. The Spanish statement is an important one, that can be a game-changer against Israel. Spanish Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun was the first one to suggest that the broadcaster should withdraw from Eurovision 2026 if Israel is not disqualified. Urtasun joins his party colleagues in sharp criticism of Israel, including Yolanda Diaz, Minister of Labor and Deputy Prime Minister under Pedro Sanchez, who also declared opposition to Israel’s participation, and Sira Rego, Minister for Children and Youth, who has taken a clear anti-Israel stance on behalf of the Spanish government. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The broadcaster has already submitted its preliminary application for...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Spain confirms Benidorm Fest 2026 will proceed regardless of Eurovision participation. Final decision on joining expected in December amid debates over Israel’s role. The Spanish national broadcaster RTVE has confirmed that the Benidorm Festival will take place regardless of the final decision on whether Spain will participate in Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria. The broadcaster is reconsidering its presence in Eurovision as long as Israel remains among the participating countries but stressed that the festival has evolved into an independent music brand with its own strong identity. This week, the network announced that it would wait until December to decide whether to remain in the competition, stating that “all options are on the table”. Spanish Foreign Minister Ernest Urtasun suggested that the broadcaster should withdraw from Eurovision 2026 if Israel is not disqualified. Urtasun joins his party colleagues in sharp criticism of Israel, including Yolanda Diaz, Minister of Labor and Deputy Prime Minister under Pedro Sanchez, who also...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Following Slovenia's steps? Spanish Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun proposes Spain withdraw from Eurovision 2026 if Israel is not disqualified, urging national broadcaster RTVE to follow Slovenia's lead. Spanish Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun has urged Spain’s national broadcaster RTVE to withdraw from Eurovision 2026, scheduled to be held in Vienna, Austria, if Israel is not excluded from the competition. Urtasun, a member of the far-left "Sumar" party, joins his party colleagues, Yolanda Diaz, Spain’s Labor Minister and Deputy Prime Minister under Pedro Sanchez, and Sira Rego, Minister of Children and Youth. Prime Minister Sanchez himself expressed strong opposition to Israel’s participation In an interview for La 1, one of RTVE’s channels, Urtasun proposed Spain’s withdrawal from Eurovision 2026 and called on the government to follow Slovenia’s lead: press for Israel’s disqualification, or else withdraw after Spain already confirmed its participation in the contest. Such a move would mark the first-ever withdrawal of Spain from Eurovision in its history. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); In the interview Urtasun said: "We have...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Hundreds of complaints flooded Spain's national broadcaster after Eurovision 2025, focusing mainly on Israel, while viewers also voiced concerns about the local national final, the Spanish entrant, and broadcast quality. The Eurovision Song Contest 2025, held in Basel, not only generated excitement over the music but also triggered a significant public stir in Spain. According to a report from Spanish national broadcaster RTVE, hundreds of complaints followed the event, with the majority calling for Israel to be banned from participation and for its act to be skipped during the broadcast - referencing tensions related to Gaza and ongoing international criticism. This trend has intensified since 2024, but this year, public reaction reached an unprecedented scale. Most complaints included explicit calls against Israel, including objections to the Israeli-owned Moroccanoil brand serving as the contest’s lead sponsor. Many also voiced renewed anger at RTVE's visible support for Palestinian rights. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Israel at the Center of the Eurovision Storm In...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eurovision 2022 star Chanel, who represented Spain, publicly comes out as bisexual, reigniting the conversation about LGBTQ+ visibility in European pop culture. Spanish singer Chanel, who represented Spain in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 and finished in third place, has openly identified as bisexual for the first time. The revelation came during an interview published on June 27 in Vanity Fair magazine. The interview coincided with the release of her new single "Zakaza", but quickly shifted from music promotion to a more personal tone. "I clearly said I’m bisexual. My fight has only grown stronger," she said. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Personal Freedom or Public Statement? According to Chanel, her decision to come out was not driven by the desire for headlines, but by a personal need for authenticity. She emphasized that she doesn’t see herself as a role model, yet cannot ignore the responsibility that such openness entails. In recent years, more artists...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The official dates for Benidorm Fest 2026, have been revealed! The festival will take place on February 10th, 12th, and 14th - plus, who is the acclaimed artistic director leading the competition? Benidorm Fest 2026 will once again serve as Spain’s national selection for Eurovision, marking its fifth consecutive year in this role. The grand final is scheduled for February 14th, with the semi-finals set for February 10th and 12th. The winner will represent Spain at Eurovision 2026 in Austria. During the press conference announcing the festival dates, the name of the artistic director was also revealed: none other than Sergio Jaén, who directed the winning Austrian entry at Eurovision 2025, "Wasted Love" by JJ, as well as several other successful Eurovision performances. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Sergio Jaén – A Familiar Name in the Eurovision World Sergio Jaén is a highly respected Spanish director who will be responsible for staging Spain’s entry at...