After the Eurovision fame: Dima Bilan

It’s time for another weekly Eurovision update! This week saw critical decisions about Israel’s participation, North Macedonia’s potential comeback, and a flurry of national selection news. Israel’s fate in Eurovision 2026 is on hold. North Macedonia’s return remains uncertain as its broadcaster weighs budgets and timelines. Meanwhile, Austria gears up for a host-country selection show, and several countries have revealed their contestants for national finals. Here are this week’s top stories: Israel: EBU Postpones Vote on Participation The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has cancelled its planned extraordinary vote on Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026. The vote, originally set for November, was called off in light of ongoing Middle East peace negotiations and will now be discussed at the EBU’s winter General Assembly in December. In a statement, the EBU explained: “Due to recent developments in the Middle East, the EBU’s Executive Board agrees that there is a clear need for an open and in-person discussion among members concerning the issue of participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. Therefore, the matter has been added to the agenda of the regular winter General Assembly, scheduled for December, instead of an extraordinary session beforehand.” This decision comes after several member broadcasters had questioned Israel’s role following the conflict in Gaza. With the November vote off the table, any formal decision on Israel’s Eurovision 2026 participation is delayed for now.  source: eurovisionworld.com. 🇲🇰 North Macedonia’s Eurovision Return Remains Uncertain Hopes for North Macedonia’s return to Eurovision are fading after a recent MRT Program Council meeting. The broadcaster’s President, Davor Pašoski, noted that participation in 2026 is possible only if the government approves an expanded MRT budget. Some council members argued for waiting until 2027, considering a detailed long-term strategy and stronger financial footing more realistic. For now, MRT aims to invest in domestic music events like Cvetnici and Skopje Fest to strengthen the local music scene before rejoining Eurovision. The Council also acknowledged receiving many appeals from fans at home and abroad (including the diaspora in Australia and Sweden) urging a comeback. MRT has not made a final decision yet and has until December to decide whether to submit an entry for Eurovision 2026. source: MRT 🇦🇹 Austria Launches “Vienna Calling – Wer singt für Österreich?” Selection Austria’s host broadcaster ORF has kicked off its search for the country’s Eurovision 2026 act on home soil. The song submission deadline closed this week, and ORF will now choose 12 finalists for a live national final on 20 February 2026. The prime-time show, titled “Vienna Calling – Wer singt für Österreich?” (Vienna Calling – Who will sing for Austria?), will be hosted by Alice Tumler, who previously co-hosted Eurovision 2015. A professional jury, including Eurovision 2018 alumnus Cesár Sampson, will review all entries and invite 24 artists for live auditions in November. After that they will be narrowing down to the final 12 acts. In the televised final, the winner will be determined by a combination of public votes plus national and international juries, earning the honor of representing Austria at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna. source: ORF stories and ORF Cesár Sampson (EBU/Andres Putting) 🇪🇸 Spain Reveals Benidorm Fest 2026 Lineup Spanish broadcaster RTVE has announced the 18 artists who will compete in Benidorm Fest 2026, the national selection for Spain’s Eurovision entry. The festival will feature two semi-finals (February 10 and 12) and a final on February 14 in Benidorm. A total of 870 songs were submitted, and a jury of music professionals chose the final 18 acts. The lineup includes a mix of newcomers and familiar names. One act even co-wrote a past Eurovision hit, and two are children of Spain’s 1990s Eurovision stars. The 18 participants announced are: Asha Atyat Dani J Dora & Marlon Collins Funambulista Greg Taro Izan Llunas Kenneth KITAI KU Minerva Luna Ki María León (feat. Julia Medina) MAYO Mikel Herzog Jr. Miranda! & bailamamá Rosalinda Galán The Quinquis Tony Grox & LUCYCALYS source: RTVE 🇦🇱 Albania Announces Festivali i Këngës 64 Contestants In Albania, national broadcaster RTSH has unveiled the 28 artists participating in Festivali i Këngës 64. Over 100 songs were submitted for consideration, and the selected entries will compete in December for a ticket to Eurovision 2026. Festivali i Këngës 64 will follow its traditional format of four live shows: two semi-finals, a nostalgia night, and the Grand Final. For the first time the Albanian public will get to vote via a real-time voting app alongside the jury votes. The lineup of 28 participants includes: 2Farm Alis Egzon Pireci Endri Kaçaçi Enxhi Nasufi Erand Sojli Erik Lloshi Evi Reçi Fifi & Tiri Gjoci Frensi Gerta Mahmutaj Ghiti Gresa Gjocera & Bledi Kaso Inis Neziri Kamela Ismalaj Kimi Kleansa Susaj Lorenc Hasrama Luna Çausholli Malvina Likaj Rezarta Smaja Rigersa Loka Sara Kapo Savjana Vjerdha Sheila Sihana Haxhnikaj ThreeX Vedat Ademi source: RTSH 🇲🇪 Montenegro Reveals MonteSong 2025 Finalists RTCG, Montenegro’s broadcaster, announced the 15 finalists for MonteSong 2025, its national contest to choose the Eurovision 2026 representative. The participants were revealed on the morning show “Dobro jutro, Crna Goro”, and include some notable names. Among them is Andrea Demirović, who represented Montenegro at Eurovision 2009, and Baryak, who finished 3rd in last year’s MonteSong. The selection committee chose the finalists from 37 submitted entries, including songs by local and international writers. All 15 songs will be released in early December, ahead of the MonteSong 2025 final scheduled for 21 December in Podgorica. The 15 competing acts and song titles are: Andrea Demirović – “I Believe” Baryak – “Minerva” Dolce Hera – “Casanova 91” Đurđa – “Dominos” Krstinja Manatović – “Oli oli” Lana Lopičić – “Doline” (Valleys) Lana Vukčević & Đorđe Savković – “Temperatura” (Temperature) Lara Baltić – “Rhythm Boy” Luka Radović – “Pjevaj vilo” (Sing, fairy) Majda Božović – “Ipak smo ljudi” (We are human after all) Mila Nikić – “Kao varnica” (Like a spark) Neno Murić – “Ako čuješ glas” (If you hear a voice) Stefan Vukotić – “Nedekodirana” (Undecoded) Tamara Živković – “Nova