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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Will be good to review that in a year to see if this is utilised to its full potential

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ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 26/05/2026

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.

escinsight.com

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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12 Points from America @12pointsusa.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

Thanks to the votes of over 3,600 fans, AUSTRALIA is the winner of the #Eurovision grand audience poll! As always, many thanks to: @escinsight.com @escgabe.com @thateurosite.bsky.social @escxtra.bsky.social @vdan.design n.design for your hard work! #Eurovision

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

The Audience Poll returns tonight! Here are the stats you need to remember to understand the bias properly?

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

A statistical journey into my losing bet from last year’s Song Contest. And with that, I wonder if Eurovision voters nowadays vote more tactically than ever before.

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

Vienna is hosting a big Eurovision experience Here is what they want all of you to know about the city before, and after, you visit for the Song Contest

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Matt Rickard @matrickard.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Our latest pod is out now, considering the jury contenders. open.spotify.com/episode/1b3s... with @bensvision.bsky.social who kindly joins us from @escinsight.com

open.spotify.com

ESC2026 e07 - The Grand Final Pre-Rehearsals JV Prediction.

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

The big question from this study is…. Which song is this year’s Soldi?

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ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 18/03/2026

With Austria drawing out its Eurovision running order spot, our hosts will sing last. It's time to drop this random draw, argues @bensvision.bsky.social and have the host country automatically awarded the final slot in the running order for the good of the Contest. escinsight.com/2026/03/18/t...

escinsight.com

The Host Country Should Always Perform Last In The Grand Final

Mae Muller, United Kingdom 2023 (photo: EBU)

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

What a line up to be alongside ”Along the way, they chat with Pete & Linda, Erika Vikman, ESC Insight’s Ben Robertson, Euroviisutsomeksi’s Vilho, and JJ”

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Nothing more authentically Melfest than our friend Eddie af Sillén

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ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 02/03/2026

While Finland's Pete Parkkonen and Linda Lampenius celebrated victory with 'Liekinheitin', the fireworks in the Nokia Arena couldn’t mask the tension simmering outside. Ben Robertson reports from Tampere on a #Eurovision National Final caught between musical celebration and international protest.

escinsight.com

Fanning the Flames: Israel and UMK’s Difficult Balancing Act

Promotonal image on how Finnish Euroviion selection show UMK handled the politics around a call for a boycott (photo:UMK)

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ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 28/02/2026

What sets UMK, Finland’s selection show for Eurovision, apart from the others is the quality of its staging concepts, argues @bensvision.bsky.social. Here, he speaks with Show Producer Matti Myllyaho to learn how Yle finds each act, the quality-over-quantity approach, and how it all comes together.

escinsight.com

Half Excel, Half Imagination: UMK's Quirky Confidence And Rebellion

Promotional image for an article prvieiwng UMK 2026 (photo: Ben Robertson)

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

Time for my favourite part of the #melfest season, revealing what all the sponsors are doing and giving away as we go around the six week tour!

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

The stalls are all open BEFORE the live show starts, no matter if rehearsal, matinee or televised, but do stop running when the show on stage begins - so get early and enjoy the true #melfest atmosphere!

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

And finally GB Glace have a photo op swing as well as an interactive quiz to win prizes as well as vouchers for free ice cream that could even be redeemed in the kiosks at the arena

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

Popular sweets selection mix Gott & Blandat has a guess the number of sweets in the jar game alongside another prize spin wheel

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

Coca Cola has a booth where you compete to guess when the key change happens in a song (I got Popular) and after playing you get to have a free sample can

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

McDonald’s are here with karaoke booths to record yourself on classic #melfest bangers, just butchered by lyrics about Maccy D’s. Vouchers and T-shirts giveaways on offer too

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

Lidl takes over as official #melfest supermarket and has an AI build a song station, complete with a QR code to hear your finished product. Plus a spin wheel to win treats like….carrots

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

Strawberry hotels has a Photo Booth where one can dress up in dressing gowns and pretend to be on a luxurious staycation

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

Swedish train company SJ has a QR code for a schlager quiz to win free train tickets, a Photo Booth and train themed temporary tattoos for children

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

Official bank of #melfest Swedbank has the most important thing - free bags - and a 360 degree camera dress up booth

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

Finnish chocolate giants Karl Fazer are here with a classic drop game. I was the big winner and got a bar of chocolate for this evening

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

Jewellery chain store Guldmynd has a four person ring toss game to play, prizes and vouchers to be won and giveaways for the kids

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

Crisps brand OLW had a reaction touch screen game to play. 21 was a good score - good enough to win two bags of crisps for this evening’s #melfest viewing

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

Rehydration brand Resorb has a maze race to play and free samples of three of their rehydration flavours

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

Big shout out to OGAE Sweden who has a stall for the first time this year. Ask them about being a member - they even have an international members section for all the #melfest fans from abroad

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

First up is of course the official merch stall with hats, tote bags, glittery things and T-shirts for #melfest fans big and small

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

Time for my favourite part of the #melfest season, revealing what all the sponsors are doing and giving away as we go around the six week tour!

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

Bookmark this article for when you see his performance tonight…and you don’t understand

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

Watching the #melfest rehearsal now, final ten minutes are on. Artists no longer on stage and remain in the green room and no recap repeated. Still awkward interviews with each act, but time reduced to about 3 or 4 minutes. Better, but zero entertainment or climax to the show.

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Reposted by Ben Robertson

ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 30/01/2026

The new voting system at MelFest means a new way of presenting the votes, and many of the artists are not in favour of the highly visible way in which tension is being pulled out of them. @bensvision.bsky.social goes into more depth on the impact of the changes. escinsight.com/2026/01/30/m...

An image that links to an article on the Eurovision Insight website. it quotes the article, saying "It reminds me of the thrown-out rehearsal concept from Liverpool 2023, where the original plan was for acts in the semi-finals to be brought onto stage to learn their qualifying fate. Not only is this terrible entertainment, but it is unnecessarily cruel for acts to have their fate linger for so long."

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

This has to change And has to change at the next rehearsal For the good of entertainment And for the good of the artists

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

Full article after the rehearsal, but these are #melfest heat voting rules: 🥇Most votes in first round 🥈Most points in age group voting after two voting rounds 3rd-6th places are decided by age group voting position. Finalkval spot goes to song from 3rd to 6th with most total votes

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Instinct after first rehearsal at #melfest 1. Greczula 2. A*Teens 3. Indra 4. Jacqline 5/6 noll2/Junior Lerin

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Junior Lerin #melfest rehearsal Starts alone on stage and is joined by four dancers with one dancer on the catwalk ”playing” the steel drums. Junior ends on the catwalk and will get the party going there in the middle of the arena. Song objectively awful and Junior quite out of key mind you

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Jacqline #melfest rehearsal Legs. Lots of legs. Jacqline has great legs and gets to show them off at every opportunity. Prop on stage well used as a sort of bed/lounger for extra sultry seductiveness. Dancers in typical SJB formations Harmonies sound fine in arena.

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Big shout out to the local book shop for this Melodifestivalen spread - who knew there was a Bara Bada Bastu themed game? Also a shout out to the local gym with Melfest themed sessions all week

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Independent shops and bakeries are also on board, including this special ”schlager bake” and cheese selection

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Official sponsors are plastering the city billboards to show their affiliation. Spotify has their bus here already, and Lidl will be here on Saturday

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

The city’s festivities have the theme ”Let The Party Begin” and have activities all week with the big party in the city centre on Saturday. With a kids 500 m race, sponsors and performances - plus the Bolibompa dragon show

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Took a walk around #Linköping during the break, here is a thread of how the city is preparing for #melfest this weekend

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

More #melfest rehearsals start in ten minutes Or maybe not Fire alarm has gone off. And the firefighters are here (no, not Brandsta City Släckers, that’s next week)

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

A*Teens #melfest rehearsal Huge Shady Lady prop on steroids and it looks big budget on camera. A*Teens stay in boxes until the 2nd chorus and then break to front of stage, before 20 seconds of awkward audience shots as they climb their platforms. Executed well if lacking that je ne sais quoi

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Indra #melfest rehearsal Starts on platform at front of stage with side lights reminding of Hold Me Closer. Colours change to deep orange for 2nd verse as Indra walks to main stage and is fully oximated by dry ice. BIG lights on key change and strong impact on ending. Needs camera tweaks but good

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Ben Robertson @bensvision.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Noll2 #melfest rehearsal Two onstage throughout, mainly separated as green side and orange side standing on their boxes, singing to each other but also to camera. Lyrics on screen in same colours, perhaps a bit too childish? Despite the obvious fiddle melody, no one plays instruments.

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