ESC Insight
@escinsight.com
In-depth discussion, commentary, editorial and thoughts on the Eurovision Song Contest. We've a website for words, a podcast for audio, and now we have Bluesky for talking to you all through the year.
Canada is now a part of the Eurovision Song Contest - but should it be? Sem Anne van Dijk gives his view on why Canada shouldn't be in the Song Contest, and what makes this a change he just can't get behind.
My Problem with Canada in Eurovision (And Why I'm a Little Ashamed of it)
Canada is now in Eurovision - but should it be? (Wikimedia Commons)
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The Eurovision Song Contest has a brand-new country – and it’s unlike any we’ve had before. James Stephenson breaks down why Canada is joining Eurovision, why now, and what it could mean for the future of the Contest as we know it.
Canada Comes to Eurovision - But Will Eurovision Leave its History Behind?
Mark Carney Reveals Canada's Eurovision Participation at Canada Day Speech (CBC)
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The Eurovision Young Musicians competition is happening this Saturday, but the EBU’s Eurovision brand has barely publicised it. @dudepoints.fun discusses why failure to do so is a missed opportunity for a tarnished brand.
There's a Eurovision this Saturday, but does Eurovision care?
Eurovision Young Musicians 2026 artwork (image: EBU)
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ICYMI, this is how we conducted our test into Eurovision televoting during the Semi Finals and Grand Final of Vienna 2026.
ESC Insight@escinsight.com · 2mo agoFollowing on from our investigation into the effectiveness of Eurovision's rule change enforcing a ten-vote maximum at the Contest, Sharleen Wright discusses how the testing was undertaken, the results, and what it potentially could mean for the fairness and integrity of the Song Contest.
It was hard to miss the phrase ‘United by Music’ during the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna. Erik Nelson wonders if that simple slogan demonstrates a goal that the Song Contest should not be taking on.
The Flawed Nature Of 'United by Music'
Eurovision icons performing a celebration of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest as the Interval Act during the Grand Final of Vienna 2026, at Wiener Stadthalle on 15 May (Photo Credit: Corinne Cumming/E...
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Following on from our investigation into the effectiveness of Eurovision's rule change enforcing a ten-vote maximum at the Contest, Sharleen Wright discusses how the testing was undertaken, the results, and what it potentially could mean for the fairness and integrity of the Song Contest.
Putting Eurovision To The Test: Repeated Voting At The Grand Final
Hosts Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski presenting the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest at Wiener Stadthalle, Vienna 2026 on 15 May (Photo Credit: Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU)
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In an era dominated by spreadsheets, streaming data, and betting markets, Bulgaria’s historic victory shattered the rulebook. @bensvision.bsky.social explains how DARA and her creative team transformed an overlooked mid-table entry into a record-breaking Eurovision champion in just four days.
The Bangaranga Story: How Bulgaria Came From Behind To Become Our Biggest Ever Eurovision Winner
DARA wins the 70th Eurovision Song Contest for Bulgaria, at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria (Photo Credit: Corinne Cumming/EBU)
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As we head into the long summer, and the Eurovision community's pace slows down (not you, Bulgaria), we'll be looking to see what we can do better for the 2026/27 season. To do that, we'd like to know what you think about the site and about the Eurovision Song Contest world, via our one-page survey.
ESC Insight@escinsight.com · 3mo agoWe're looking for your thoughts on the EBU, the Eurovision community in 2025/26, and what you thought of our podcasts, articles, and coverage of the Vienna 2026 season. Pop by and fill out our survey! escinsight.com/2026/05/18/e...
We're looking for your thoughts on the EBU, the Eurovision community in 2025/26, and what you thought of our podcasts, articles, and coverage of the Vienna 2026 season. Pop by and fill out our survey! escinsight.com/2026/05/18/e...
ESC Insight's Reader Survey For 2026
The trophy of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest on the Wiener Stadthalle stage, for Vienna 2026 (Photo Credit: Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU)
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What do you think of ESC Insight? Let us know in our Reader Survey for the 2026 season, what you didn’t, and what you want to see more of. This year, we'd also like to ask you about how much you have engaged with the Song Contest community and official channels.
ESC Insight's Reader Survey For 2026
The trophy of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest on the Wiener Stadthalle stage, for Vienna 2026 (Photo Credit: Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU)
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‘The Eurovision Song Contest needs the trust and confidence of its audience. Can it begin to earn that back before we get to Bulgaria?’
ESC Insight@escinsight.com · 3mo agoAs the confetti settles around in Vienna, the board at Bulgarian broadcaster BTN will be waking up with not only Dara’s victory on their mind, but also the challenge of organising 2027’s Eurovision Song Contest. The ESC Insight team look into the future…
As the confetti settles around in Vienna, the board at Bulgarian broadcaster BTN will be waking up with not only Dara’s victory on their mind, but also the challenge of organising 2027’s Eurovision Song Contest. The ESC Insight team look into the future…
Nine Things We Expect From Bulgaria And Eurovision 2027
Rehearsal Images: DARA performing Bangaranga for Bulgaria during the Second Rehearsal at Wiener Stadthalle, Vienna 2026 (Photo Credit: Alma Bengtson/EBU)
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📺 WE MADE IT ON TV! The Audience Poll which was conducted by That Eurovision Site alongside @escgabe.com, @12pointsusa.bsky.social, @escxtra.bsky.social, @mercicherie.at and @vdan.design was featured on CNN! Thank You for your votes (if you participated)
What do you think of ESC Insight? Let us know in our Reader Survey for the 2026 season, what you didn’t, and what you want to see more of. This year, we'd also like to ask you about how much you have engaged with the Song Contest community and official channels.
ESC Insight's Reader Survey For 2026
The trophy of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest on the Wiener Stadthalle stage, for Vienna 2026 (Photo Credit: Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU)
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As the rankings of every juror and every televote have been released by the European Broadcasting Union, the ESC Insight team breaks down all the statistics you need to know from the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest from Vienna.
16 Facts and Stats From The 2026 Eurovision Song Contest
As the rankings of every juror and every televote have been released by the European Broadcasting Union, the ESC Insight team breaks down all the statistics you need to know from the 70th edition from...
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Tickets for the Eurovision Song Contest sell out fast, but the show itself is primarily for television. Guest writer and TV producer Philip McCullough takes a look at some of the differences, first as an audience member, and then as a viewer, of some of this year’s entries.
The Arena And The Livng Room: Eurovision's Two Audiences
rand Final Performance: Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen performing Liekinheitin for Finland during the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest at Wiener Stadthalle, Vienna 2026 on 15 May (Photo Cr...
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🚨📊 The Model has made its final prediction for the Grand Final of #Eurovision 2026. We've always asked 'What would happen if Eurovision was held today?' Well, today is that day, and here's our final call. 🇫🇮 Finland 411 (135/276) 🏆 🇦🇺 Australia 362 (214/148) 🇮🇱 Israel 345 (73/272)
It’s been a long road, but tonight we finally see the culmination of months, even years of work. Following two competitive Semifinals, we have winnowed the field down to twenty-five acts, and only one will raise the crystal microphone high this evening. @escinsider.bsky.social previews the show
The Spotter’s Guide to Eurovision 2026: The Grand Final
The trophy of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest on the Wiener Stadthalle stage, for Vienna 2026 (Photo Credit: Corinne Cumming/EBU)
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It's Eurovision day. A day where the weight behind this year's Contest may feel heavy. It's a day where we remember absent friends. Those who should be here today who are not. @bensvision.bsky.social wants to remind everyone that what we see on stage is everything good about the Song Contest.
Viva La Bangaranga: Thoughts On Grand Final Day
Corinne Cumming (EBU)
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A landmark rule technicality will allow Linda Lampenius to perform the first live-mic’ed instrumental solo on the Eurovision stage this century. This “Lampenius Rule” marks a watershed moment for the Contest, potentially opening the door for more live musicianship on the continent’s biggest stage
The Lampenius Rule: Live Instruments Return To The Song Contest
A landmark rule technicality will allow Linda Lampenius to perform the first live-mic'ed instrumental solo on the Eurovision stage this century. This "Lampenius Rule" marks a watershed moment for the ...
escinsight.com
How effective is Eurovision's move to a ten-vote maximum? The televote has come under increased scrutiny by broadcasters, the media, and viewers following 2025’s Song Contest. Sharleen Wright discusses this change and its impact on 2026’s televoting. escinsight.com/2026/05/15/h...
How Effective Is The Televote's Move To A Ten-Vote Maximum At Eurovision?
The Eurovision Tropy (Corinne Cumming - EBU)
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New blog post: The image is gone, only you and I, this means nothing to me: the fractures of #Eurovision 2026 bakercatherine.wordpress.com/2026/05/15/t... …apologies that was a title waiting to happen.
The image is gone, only you and I, this means nothing to me: the fractures of Eurovision 2026
Let’s get the inevitable earworm out of the way before we go on – though perhaps something about the unsettled atmosphere of a Eurovision where even more viewers, past participants and broadcasters…
bakercatherine.wordpress.com
It's the Second Semifinal of Eurovision 2026. Have we all recovered from Semi One yet? Has your pulse returned to normal following the agony and the ecstasy of finding out who our first ten qualifiers were? Are we ready to cast ourselves, once more, unto the breach for Semifinal Two?
The Spotter’s Guide to Eurovision 2026: Semi Final Two
Hosts Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski presenting the Second Semi-Final of the Eurovision Song Contest at Wiener Stadthalle, Vienna 2026 on 13 May. Photo Credit: Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU
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Our @bensvision.bsky.social attended both days of the Eurovisions Academic Conference in Vienna. Much was spoken about the public value of Eurovision, and the United By Music motto #eurovision has today, and where research, and the EBU, should focus on going forward escinsight.com/2026/05/14/u...
United By Music Or Divided By Values: Attending Eurovisions Academic Conference
Questioning United By Music at the Eurovisions Academic Conference (Photo: Ben Robertson, ESC Insight)
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2026's Eurovisions Academic Conference sought research, either directly and indirectly, on one of the Contest’s challenging topics; how Israel’s participation in recent years has challenged Eurovision and the EBU. @bensvision.bsky.social reports from Vienna's University of Music and Performing Arts.
United By Music Or Divided By Values: Attending Eurovisions Academic Conference
Questioning United By Music at the Eurovisions Academic Conference (Photo: Ben Robertson, ESC Insight)
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By the slimmest of margins, BULGARIA 🇧🇬 are your winners of the second semifinal audience poll! Thanks to the over 3,300 people who voted, and to @escinsight.com, @escgabe.com @mercicherie.at, @thateurosite.bsky.social, @escxtra.bsky.social and @vdan.design for your teamwork! #Eurovision
It's a hugely close #eurovision Audience Poll, but tonight the Wiener Stadthalle went BANGARANGA! Australia five votes back in 2nd Thanks to @thateurosite.bsky.social @escxtra.bsky.social @12pointsusa.bsky.social and friends!
The Spotters Guide returns for Vienna. Here's what to look out for tonight. @escinsider.bsky.social previews Semi Final 1 as Eurovision returns to Vienna
The Spotter’s Guide to Eurovision 2026: Semi Final One
Eurovision Song Contest Stage, SF1, Vienna 2026 (photo: EBU)
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🚨📊 The Model has made its full prediction for Semi-Final One of #Eurovision 2026. ✅ 🇮🇱🇫🇮🇬🇷🇲🇩🇸🇪🇭🇷🇷🇸🇵🇱🇱🇹🇲🇪 ❌ 🇧🇪🇵🇹🇸🇲🇬🇪🇪🇪 Poland is projected to qualify for the first time at Belgium's expense, while Moldova shoots up the board after winning the Eurovision Audience Poll.
At Eurovision 2016, just three songs were performed without any utterance of English. As we arrive in Vienna, the Contest has 14 tracks in different languages, according to the same statistic. @bensview.bsky.social explains why we have more languages and how that may play out on the scoreboard.
The Death of the English Monopoly: Why Europe Sings In Their Native Languages Again
The languages at Eurovision 2026 (Image: Ben Robertson, EBU))
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