Israel: The first episode of The Rising Star to be aired on 31st of October!

The first episode of The Rising Star will be aired on 31st of October!

Until today there was pervasive uncertainty not only regarding the continuation of The Rising Star but also regarding the participation of Israel at the upcoming 2024 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden given the ongoing war situation between Israel and Palestine, following the terrorist attack of the Hamas fighters on Israeli soil on 7th of October.

In an announcement by the channel Keshet 12 of the national public broadcaster KAN it became known that the first episode of the show through which the next Israeli representative will emerge will be aired on the upcoming Tuesday, 31st of October.

The hosts of the show are going to be Assi Azar and Rotem Sela, who have done so since 2014. The member of the jury panel are Shiri Maimon, Itay Levy, Assaf Amdorsky, Ran Dankar and Keren Pels, while Eden Hasson is the new addition.

Moreover the presenters of The Rising Star Assi Azar and Rotem Sela commented on what has been developing in the country in recent weeks:

“Even though we are going through a tough period of time, it has been decided that it is about time. Music will help us unite and heal the wounds in these tough times.
The format will be fitted to the current situation in Israel”

This year Israel was represented in 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool by Noa Kirel and the song “Unicorn” who after an explosive performance, she managed to bring the Middle Eastern nation in the 3rd place of the Grand Final with a total of 362 points.

https://youtu.be/Z3mIcCllJXY

Source: ESC BEAT

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Romania: It is very likely that they will participate in Eurovision 2024!

Over the last few months, there were rumours circulating on the internet that Romania would probably withdraw from the upcoming edition of Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Malmö, Sweden.

However, an emergency ordinance document from the Romanian government has been leaked, citing the approval of the annual budget that the romanian broadcaster tvr needs to cover their expenses. The document states the following:

Through the annual budgetary law, the funds required by the romanian society of radiotelevision needed for various aquisitions of equipment necessary for broadcasting, materials needed for the development of broadcasting activities, security and for payment of fees to international governmental organisations, including the financial obligations to the european broadcasting union (contributions, taxes, dues, subscriptions, licenses for broadcasting rights of cultural, entertainment, news and sports related events) are approved“.

This practically could mean that the goverment of Romania has already allocated a budget for TVR to pay the participation fee to EBU and consequently pave the path for Romania towards their participation in next years contest!

This year, Romania was represented by Theodor Andrei with “D. G. T” who came last in the 2nd Semi-Final.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bf3iPXU1RYU

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Source: euroalfa.eu

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Victor Vernicos: I didn’t get the support I needed from my surrounding team during Eurovision!

Victor Vernicos revealed, for the first time, in an interview with SKAI TV that he did not receive the anticipated and essential support from the team he worked with during his participation in the Eurovision Song Contest this year.

When asked about the factors that contributed to the poor outcome of the Greek participation in May, he placed the blame on the team that was behind him. This group consists of the Panik Records record label, the ERT executives, and the artistic team at large. In more detail, he said:

On the one hand, I was responsible if something went wrong, which it certainly did given that we didn’t get the desired outcome, but on the other hand Ι wasn’t! I exerted all of my effort. I may not have had the biggest help from the team around me!

The individuals in charge of the Greek 2023 Eurovision participation project were unfit for their roles. Victor as an artist was not a suitable choice in the first place, especially considering his inexperience. But, for instance, it was Victor’s team selected the infamous second rehearsal clip that went viral for all the wrong reasons in Greece, not him. For those who may not know, every delegation provides the EBU with the precise number of seconds of their performance that they would like to be featured in both the television broadcast medley and on the contest’s official social media accounts.

Victor could be held accountable for many things, but his team could be held accountable for far more. The way that Marina Satti was selected this year is evidence that we, as Eurovisionfun, through our articles and YouTube livestreams, have been heard, and we are pleased with it.

Victor Vernicos, with his song “What they Say”, represented Greece in the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest and finished 13th in the Second Semi Final, receiving only 12 points from Cyprus and 2 points from Armenia.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJSZA0Zh2xU


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Source: SKAI TV 

Italy: 564 entries submitted for San Remo Giovani!

As revealed today by Italy’s public broadcaster Rai, 564 entries were submitted for San Remo Giovani 2023, which is a sub-category of San Remo, where new artists are vying for a place in the February festival.

The largest proportion of this year’s participants comes from the Lazio region, followed by Lombardy and Sicily. Among the participants are 520 soloists, of whom 334 are men and 186 women. In addition, the list of participants includes 44 bands.

Of these candidates, 49 were selected for the next stage of the process, following a vote by a special jury chaired by Amadeus, the artistic director of the last five editions of the festival. The shortlisted artists will go through an audition process in the next few weeks.

At the end of the auditions, 8 artists will be selected, who will compete in the final of Sanremo Giovani 2023, which will be held at the Sanremo Casino Theatre, on 13 December. To these eight artists will be added four from the San Remo area, who will also be selected by the Rai special committee at the end of November.

The artists who win the first three places at the San Remo Giovani 2023 will be entitled to participate in the 74th San Remo Festival, the winner of which will, if they wish, have the opportunity to represent Italy in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest.

Last year Italy was represented by Marco Mengoni, with the song “Due Vite”, finishing in 4th place with 350 points.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6IiOSut_4M


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Source: Rai 

Albania: The song selection procedure for FiK 62 has changed!

Bojken Lako, the creative director of the upcoming Festivali i Kenges, disclosed that the process for choosing the songs that will participate in the festival has changed.

It was revealed a few days after the 31 contender songs for FiK 62 were revealed that, for the first time in FiK’s history, the jury chose this year’s entries without being aware of the singers’ identities.

After conferring with the members of the selection committee, they listened to the songs, allowing the jurors to make their own decisions based on numbers rather than vocalist names. An other novelty was the inclusion of two poets on the committee to evaluate the lyrics. Our goal is to improve the musical quality.

Bojken Lako appeared satisfied with the high quality of the songs on FiK 62:

We have a lot of room for new bands, musicians, and musical trends. We also have a gorgeous array of Albanian music, which preserves heritage while introducing fresh sounds and elevating the scene.

The 31 entries of FiK 62 are the following:

  • Besa Krasniqi – “Esenciale”
  • Eldis Arnjeti – “Një kujtim”
  • Elsa Lila – “Mars”
  • Erina & The Elementals – “Jetën n’Skaj”
  • Jasmina Hako – “Ti”
  • Jehona Ponari – “Evol”
  • Olimpia Smajlaj – “Asaj”
  • Sergio Hajdini – “Uragan”
  • Shpat Deda – “S’mund të fitoj pa ty”
  • Tri Gjoci – “Në ëndërr”
  • Martina Serreqi – “Vetëm ty”
  • Big Basta & Vesa Luma – “Mbinatyrale”
  • Festina Mejzini – “Melos”
  • Mal Retkoceri – “Çmendur”
  • Michela Paluca – “Për veten”
  • Santino De Bartolo – “Dua të rri me ty”
  • Stivi Ushe – “Askush si ty”
  • Kleansa Susaj – “Pikturë”
  • Kejsi Tola – “Vallëzoj me Dritën”
  • Kastro Zizo – “2073”
  • Andi Tanko – “Herë pas here”
  • Anduel Kovaci – “Nane’”
  • Arsi Bako – “Zgjohu”
  • Besa Kokëdhima – “Zemrën n’dorë
  • Bledi Kaso – “Çdo gjë mbaroi”
  • Melodajn Mancaku – “Nuk jemi ne”
  • Olsi Ballta – “Unë”
  • Troy Band – “Horizonti i ëndrrave”
  • Samanta Karavello – “N’majë”
  • Luan Durmishi – “Përsëritja”
  • Sardi Struga – “Boshatisur”

One of the contenders is Elsa Lila, the FiK winner from the previous year, who did not represent Albania in the Eurovision contest because the country’s representative was selected solely by televoting.

This year, the winner will be the one who will represent Albania in Malmö, utilizing a novel mixed system consisting of 50% jury and 50% televote.

FiK 62 will be held at the Palace of Congresses in Tirana from December 19 to December 22. The songs will be heard for the first time when they are performed—a technique that was also used in the Sanremo Festival—on the stage of FiK 62.

Albania was represented this year by Albina & Familja Kelmendi, who finished in the 22nd place in the final with 76 points.


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Source: RTSH 

Malta: Listen to the first songs competing for Eurovision 2024!

A few hours ago, the first semi-final of MESC 2024, the national final of Malta for Eurovision 2024, was completed! Read more

Ireland: The Late Late Show will most likely be the Irish national selection format for 2024!

The Irish delegation had been evaluating the prospects for the Eurovision project in the years that will follow, after their failed participation this year with “We are One” by Wild Youth which managed to accumulate only ten points in their semi final.

As a guest to Éirevision podcast, Michael Kealy gave his insight about what the next year’s Irish selection procedure would look like.

The Irish Eurovision representative for 2024 will most likely be selected through The Late Late Show. Michael Kealy mentioned that the plans are that the show will be aired somewhere around early 2024, but there may be some changes in its format.

The changes might affect the appearance of the selection, making it feel abit more like a concert, rather than a regular TV show. There are still things to be discussed  with RTÉ though. Regarding the selection procedure, Michael still thinks that some certain acts could directly take part in the televised show of the national final, same way as it happened this year with Wild Youth and Public Image Ltd.

This year Ireland participated at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 with “We are One” by Wild Youth and they got disqualified by the Grand Final, by placing 12th with a total of ten points.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80-4_rjW10U

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Source: Éirevision

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The Eurovision participation fee is going up for another year!

In an interview with Eirevision, Michael Kealy, the head of the Irish delegation for the Eurovision Song Contest, disclosed that the participation fee will rise for another year.

To be eligible to compete in the competition, the national broadcasters must pay a fee annually. This amount varies between countries primarily as a result of differences in population but also due to economic factors. According to the announcement made during the September meeting of the participating countries’ heads of delegation in Berlin, this cost is expected to increase once more this year.

The EBU cites the competition’s “not economically viable” condition as the cause of this increase. The aforementioned matter emerged subsequent to Belarus and Russia’s disqualifications from the EBU. Russia was one of the countries that contributed the most financially to the contest due to its big population and robust economy. Therefore, the other participating countries should now pay this amount.

This expense accounts for one-third of the funding that Ireland’s public television broadcaster has available for the competition, as the leader of the Irish delegation stated. This sum climbed to €105,099 in 2023 from €92,588 in 2022. This amount was €180,000 for Romania in 2023 and €347,697 for Spain in the same year.


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Source: Eirevision Podcast

Malta: MESC 2024 First semi-final takes place tonight!

The time we’re all waiting for, is slowly coming again. We are talking about the national final period of Eurovision Song Contest 2024! This year, the first country to air its national final, is Malta!

For the third year in a row, the island country is using the format of a national final and is organizing Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2024 (MESC), through which they are going to select their representative for the 68th Eurovision Song Contest.

36 artists are going to take part in Malta’s selection process for Eurovision 2024. A process consisting of semi-finals and the Grand Final, will select the artist and the song that is going to represent Malta in Malmö.

The first semi-final of MESC 2024 will be broadcasted at 21:00 CET. You can watch it through the live broadcast of TVM’s official website, by clicking HERE.

Participants

Today, we are going to see first nine artists, out of the 36 competing in MESC 2024, in tonight’s first semi-final.

The artists that will compete in tonight’s show are:

  • Kurt Calleja – “Misunderstood”
  • Sarah Bonnici – Loop”
  • Gail – Wild Card”
  • Mark Anthony Bartolo – Condition or Fiction”
  • Eliana Gomez Blanco – There’s Only Flowers”
  • OXYGYN – Cloudmaker”
  • Nathan – Ghost”
  • Lyndsay – Fire Proof”
  • Dominic Cini – Bewsa”

The Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2023 (MESC 2023)

Phase I – Song Submission and Selection

Those interested could subit their songs in the country’s public broadcaster. After the deadline, the 36 competing artists were selected.

Phase II – Semi Final
  • Artists will perform their songs live via a TV show that will be broadcasted for several weeks.
  • The top 12 artists via a combination of jury and public vote will qualify to the Grand Final.
Phase III – Grand Final
  • The Grand Final will be held in January 2024.
  • Every participant will have a budget of 5.000 euros for producing and filming a video-clip of its entry.
  • Every participant will film a live-on-tape performance in December 2023(the artists will have 60 minutes to film 3 performances and between these, the best will be chosen)
  • The winner will be decided from a jury and public vote.

Until we learn who is going to represent Malta in Eurovision 2024, let’s remember their song for last year’s contest. The Busker were the winners of MESC 2023 with the song “Dance (Our Own Party)” but they didn’t manage to qualify for the Grand Final ending up in 15th place of the First Semi-final with 3 points:

https://youtu.be/zVmVt9qmg9g

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Måns Zelmerlöw wants to host Eurovision 2024!

In an interview with Sveriges Radio, Måns Zelmerlöw, the 2015 Eurovision winner, expressed his desire to present the upcoming competition.

After making a great impact as Petra Mede‘s co-presenter in the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest, Måns has gone on to engage in a number of interval acts.

Regarding a potential return to Eurovision in the future, he stated the following:

I didn’t have the right song until now. But I can see me going back to Eurovision if the appropriate song is found.

The 68th Eurovision Song Contest will take place next May in Malmö, Sweden, following Loreen‘s victory last year in Liverpool with the song “Tattoo”. Would you like to see Måns Zelmerlöw presenting Eurovision 2024?


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Source: Sveriges Radio