Mismanagement and political campaigning have sucked the joy out of an event meant to bring people togetherFor the past two years, amid intensifying controversy over Israel’s participation in Eurovision, I and most other Eurovision superfans have stuck by the contest, despite clear misgivings.This week, however, as the usual collection of power ballads and jokey songs compete in Vienna, we are not bonding over a common joy, but rather over our shared sense of sadness about the politicisation of the contest. This sadness pales in comparison to the trauma and grief experienced by the people affected by the wars fuelling this politicisation, but it is there nonetheless.Dave Keating is a Brussels-based journalist and author of The Owned Continent: How to Free Europe from American Military, Economic and Cultural Dependence Continue reading...
I’m a Eurovision superfan, but this year’s contest brings only sadness. I won’t be tuning in
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Story Timeline
Sun 13:30 - HLN (BE)
Sandra Kim won the Eurovision Song Contest forty years ago, but regrets it: “I wanted to become an air hostess”
Sun 18:47 - NRK (NO)
Want Eurovision to become a rallying point in a difficult world
Mon 09:31 - La Libre (BE)
Eurovision 2026: bookmakers dampen Belgium's hopes
Tue 10:37 - HLN (BE)
The most secure Eurovision Song Contest ever? FBI helps Austria with surveillance in Vienna
Tue 14:06 - SRF Wirtschaft
Veronica Fusaro at the ESC in Vienna – “A little frustrating”: room for improvement after the first rehearsals
Tue 15:36 - Al-Monitor
Vienna police brace for protests at Eurovision Song Contest final
Wed 06:20 - The Bulletin (BE)
40 years after winning Eurovision, Sandra Kim recalls exploitation, financial hardship
Wed 16:17 - Die Zeit Newsfeed
Boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest: If Israel comes, we won't come
Thu 12:16 - DW All
Eurovision 2026: Politics collide with a blockbuster show
Thu 12:16 - DW Top
Eurovision 2026: Politics collide with a blockbuster show
Thu 14:14 - SRF Wirtschaft
Eurovision Song Contest 2026 – sniffer dogs, the FBI and special forces at the ESC in Vienna
Thu 16:30 - HLN (BE)
Essyla stands out during the second Eurovision Song Contest rehearsal: this is what her act looks like on stage
Fri 05:27 - France 24
Eurovision hopes 70th anniversary celebration outshines Israel controversy
Fri 14:41 - La Repubblica (IT)
Sal Da Vinci at Eurovision, the rehearsals of "Forever yes" between white dresses and a bride on stage
Fri 23:01 - BBC Europe
Anti-work anthems, Boy George and controversial lyrics: A guide to all 35 Eurovision songs
Sat 03:00 - La Repubblica (IT)
Sal Da Vinci at Eurovision: “I am a streetwalker of feelings, I sing for those who come from the bottom like me”
Sat 07:28 - DW World
Eurovision 2026: Politics collide with a blockbuster show
Sat 07:28 - DW
Eurovision 2026: Politics collide with a blockbuster show
Sat 08:49 - ANSA Main
Sal da Vinci ready for Eurovision: "Music has the power to unite"
Sat 20:26 - La Libre (BE)
Eurovision 2026: The EBU sends an official warning to the Israeli channel
Sat 23:03 - BBC Europe
Another year, another controversy for Eurovision - but fans are sticking by it
Sun 06:05 - SRF Wirtschaft
A year after the ESC – Zoë Më: “A few months after the ESC I fell into a hole”
Sun 14:40 - SVT Nyheter (SE)
Eurovision in Vienna officially opens
Sun 16:11 - La Repubblica (IT)
Iranian protesters at Eurovision against Israel and the Ayatollah regime
Sun 23:33 - BBC Europe
Why Eurovision's fallout over Israel may change the competition forever
Mon 04:43 - SRF Wirtschaft
Eurovision Song Contest – favorites, disappointments, new rules – the ESC 2026 in check
Mon 05:32 - Euronews
Eurovision semi-finals: What to expect, how to watch and who is among favourites to win
Mon 07:16 - Euronews
Eurovision 2026 kicks off with turquoise carpet parade in Vienna
Mon 07:26 - NYT Europe
How Israel Turned Eurovision’s Stage Into a Soft Power Tool
Mon 07:27 - NYT Europe
How to Win Eurovision With Just a Few Hundred Voters
Mon 09:50 - La Libre (BE)
At Eurovision, Essyla, the Belgian representative, believes in her chances: “What impresses me is everything that is behind the stage”
Mon 10:08 - France 24
Eurovision fever hits host city Vienna
Mon 13:55 - France 24
Spain, Ireland, Slovenia will not broadcast Eurovision over Israel's participation
Mon 14:00 - Al-Monitor
Boycotters Spain, Ireland, Slovenia will not show Eurovision
Mon 15:02 - Sky News (UK)
UK's Eurovision act to feature special 'mega synthesiser'
Mon 15:25 - Sky News (UK)
Israel qualifies for Eurovision final
Mon 15:36 - Al-Monitor
Eurovision's other Israel-related challenge: new voting rules
Mon 15:36 - Tagesschau
Eurovision Song Contest 2026: Social media as a second stage
Mon 17:33 - DW All
Slovenia, Spain and Ireland won't air Eurovision over Israel's participation
Mon 17:33 - DW Top
Slovenia, Spain and Ireland won't air Eurovision over Israel's participation
Tue 03:30 - SVT Nyheter (SE)
ESC 2026 Semi Final 1 in Vienna – here are the artists to watch out for
Tue 04:32 - Die Welt
ESC overshadowed by dispute over Israel's participation and calls for a boycott
Tue 04:53 - Die Welt
ESC overshadowed by dispute over Israel's participation and calls for a boycott
Tue 07:00 - Al-Monitor
Israel takes the stage in semis of boycotted Eurovision
Tue 07:03 - Al Jazeera English
Why is Israel allowed to take part in the Eurovision song contest?
Tue 07:11 - La Libre (BE)
Eurovision 2026: Belgium participates in the first semi-final, what do the bookmakers say?
Tue 07:31 - Euronews
Eurovision Song Contest 2026: The most streamed entries of all time and the people’s winners
Tue 10:25 - SVT Nyheter (SE)
Eurovision boss on Felicia's Israel statements: "It's about timing"
Tue 11:36 - Al-Monitor
Eurovision Song Contest gets off to a tense start, overshadowed by Gaza
Tue 14:30 - La Libre (BE)
Eurovision 2026: Minister Galant re-defends Belgium's participation
Tue 15:36 - La Repubblica (IT)
How Israel transformed the Eurovision stage into a tool of soft power
Tue 16:40 - SRF Wirtschaft
Eurovision Song Contest 2026 – Live from 9 p.m.: Vicky Leandros opens the first ESC semi-final
Tue 16:55 - Die Welt
“We can look forward to a big music festival” – Wolfram Weimer goes to Israel’s song contest performance
Tue 17:46 - La Libre (BE)
Eurovision 2026: Essyla thumbs her nose at bookmakers and qualifies for the grand final
Tue 22:43 - France 24
Israel, Finland qualify for Eurovision final as five countries boycott music contest
Tue 23:17 - SVT Nyheter (SE)
The bed for conflict - but this year there is a clear favourite
Wed 03:44 - SRF Wirtschaft
Eurovision Song Contest 2026 – These were the highlights of the first ESC semi-final in Vienna
Wed 07:06 - La Libre (BE)
Essyla reacts to qualifying for Eurovision final: 'I'm not sure I'll do well'
Wed 12:25 - France 24
Israel and favorite Finland advance to the Eurovision final
Wed 13:06 - NRK (NO)
"Now Norway will fight for a place in the final!"
Wed 14:27 - Tagesschau
Eurovision Song Contest: Between boycott and possible comeback
Wed 15:43 - France 24
Israeli singer Noa speaks to FRANCE 24 as Israel's participation sparks Eurovision backlash
Wed 18:11 - France 24
Should politics and culture mix? Eurovision 2026: inside the controversy
Wed 20:27 - France 24
New York Times report finds Eurovision to be 'soft power' tool for Israel
Wed 21:01 - Al-Monitor
Israel's Eurovision Song Contest entrant heard booing as he went onstage
Thu 08:00 - SVT Nyheter (SE)
ORF: Not involved in censoring protest cries
Thu 08:55 - The Bulletin (BE)
Eurovision 2026: Belgium reaches Saturday’s final with Dancing on the Ice
Thu 09:55 - France 24
Did Israel tip Eurovision 2025 results? NYT report delves into voting data
Thu 10:27 - Middle East Eye
Eurovision: The song contest that broke the continent
Thu 12:00 - BBC Headlines
Here's what you need to know about the second Eurovision semi-final and grand final
Thu 12:03 - Süddeutsche Zeitung Top
Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna: participants, songs, dates: everything about the ESC 2026
Thu 12:27 - Die Welt
“I really hope that next year all countries will be there again”
Thu 12:35 - Fox News
Israeli PM Netanyahu initiating defamation lawsuit against New York Times over controversial ‘dog rape’ story
Thu 14:20 - SRF Wirtschaft
Eurovision Song Contest 2026 – Live from 9 p.m.: The second ESC semi-final in Vienna
Thu 17:40 - BBC Europe
'Door is open' for Canada to join Eurovision
Thu 20:51 - NRK (NO)
Norway to the Eurovision final: - I am so proud
Thu 21:38 - The Guardian
Eurovision 2026: Delta Goodrem sends Australia to the grand final with note-perfect performance
Thu 21:43 - La Libre (BE)
Eurovision 2026: Here are the last countries qualified for the final of the competition
Thu 22:54 - BBC Headlines
Australia soars into Eurovision final as UK song debuts
Thu 23:43 - Die Welt
All finalists have been chosen - including the controversial choking song
Fri 00:29 - Süddeutsche Zeitung Top
Eurovision Song Contest: Why is everyone queer here?
Fri 00:59 - France 24
Romanian metal, Australian star Delta Goodrem qualify for Eurovision grand final
Fri 04:24 - Tagesschau
Eurovision Song Contest: Australia and Romania advance to the final
Fri 04:54 - BBC Europe
How Eurovision pioneered transnational broadcasting
Fri 05:53 - Süddeutsche Zeitung Top
Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna: participants, songs, dates: everything about the ESC 2026
Fri 06:42 - Euronews
Eurovision Song Contest 2026: Ten more countries complete lineup for Saturday's finale
Fri 08:33 - SRF Wirtschaft
Eurovision Song Contest 2026 – “Everything was done right”: The internet loves Veronica Fusaro’s performance
Fri 09:01 - NYT Europe
How to Watch the Eurovision Song Contest Final
Fri 09:13 - France 24
Eurovision final lineup confirmed after 5 more countries are sent packing
Fri 10:31 - Die Welt
Out of consideration for Germany – ESC will not take place
Fri 12:12 - Die Welt
Out of consideration for Germany – ESC will not take place
Fri 16:00 - Le Figaro
Eurovision 2026: Israel boycotted, the rating of Frenchwoman Monroe, the order of performance of the 25 songs... Everything about the final
Fri 18:45 - Le Figaro
“For Israel, Eurovision is a political tool”: the 70th edition of the competition shaken by the boycott against the Jewish state
Fri 23:01 - Sky News (UK)
Who's behind bizarre Eurovision song hoping to end UK's 29-year drought?
Sat 04:00 - The Guardian
I’m a Eurovision superfan, but this year’s contest brings only sadness. I won’t be tuning in