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ESC Insight

@escinsight.com

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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.

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ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 25/09/2026

As a cross-party group of MPs prepare to hear evidence on why the BBC has performed badly at the #Eurovision Song Contest recently, @itsginajones.bsky.social offers a handy summary of the issues they’ll need to tackle to help turn things around.

Look Mum No Computer performing at Eurovision, a promotional image for an article on UK MP's discussing the BBC's performance at the Eurovision Song Contest.

ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 24/09/2026

As the Netherlands returns to the Eurovision Song Contest, it appears the era of the boycott is coming to an end. But are we really going back to normal? James Stephenson asks what comes next. escinsight.com/2026/09/24/e...

Promotional card, "Back To The Way We Were", why the Eurovision Song Contest has never been normal.

ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 24/09/2026

As the Netherlands returns to the #Eurovision Song Contest, it appears the era of the boycott is coming to an end. But are we really going back to normal? James Stephenson asks what comes next.

Reposted by ESC Insight

Phil Dore @philjdore.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Episode 3 of our #Panarcticvision podcast for @escinsight.com is now online. An interview with northern Sweden representative Klara Pasma turned into a fascinating conversation about endangered languages. escinsight.com/2026/09/23/e...

ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 13/08/2026

The Eurovision Song Contest 2027 is going to the shores of the Black Sea, as Burgas becomes one of the smallest host cities for the show in recent years. Sem Anne van Dijk explores why the Contest is kicking off its shoes and heading for a beach holiday next year.

Burgas? Why Eurovision 2027 Is Going Full Beach Mode

Sem Anne van Dijk explores why the Eurovision Song Contest is kicking off its shoes and heading for a beach holiday in Burgas next year.

ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 04/07/2026

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)

ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 02/07/2026

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)

ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 05/06/2026

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)

ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 03/06/2026

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 · 02/06/2026

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...

ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 30/05/2026

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)

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.

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)

ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 22/05/2026

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 · 21/05/2026

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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ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 19/05/2026

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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Catherine Baker @richmondbridge.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

‘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 · 19/05/2026

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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That Eurovision Site @thateurosite.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

📺 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)

ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 19/05/2026

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)

ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 17/05/2026

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...

ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 16/05/2026

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...

ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 16/05/2026

More details and more numbers, over on ESC Insight right now escinsight.com/2026/05/16/t...

The Model Predicts Finland to Win Eurovision 2026

The Model Eurovision Prediction (James Stephenson)

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ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 16/05/2026

🚨📊 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)

The Model makse the following prediction for the Eurovision Song Contest final scores. 1) 🇫🇮 Finland 411 (135/276) 🏆 2) 🇦🇺 Australia 362 (214/148) 3) 🇮🇱 Israel 345 (73/272)

ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 16/05/2026

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)

ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 16/05/2026

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)

ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 15/05/2026

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 ...

ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 15/05/2026

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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Catherine Baker @richmondbridge.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

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.

bakercatherine.wordpress.com

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…

ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 14/05/2026

We'll have some free time for pitching next week, drop us an email then?

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ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 14/05/2026

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

ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 14/05/2026

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)

ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 14/05/2026

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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12 Points from America @12pointsusa.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

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

ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 13/05/2026

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!

ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 12/05/2026

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)

ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 12/05/2026

You can read the full breakdown of the prediction on ESC Insight now ⤵️ escinsight.com/2026/05/12/t...

The Model Predicts Semi-Final One of Eurovision 2026

As we prepare to watch Semi-Final One of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, can The Model predict the outcome? James Stephenson brings you its final prediction for the first semi-final, and analyses wh...

ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 12/05/2026

🚨📊 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.

ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 12/05/2026

Changed - what an ironic mistake given the topic. Thank you for the kind words. Let's see how it plays out tonight, this week, and for the future of the Song Contest.

ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 12/05/2026

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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ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 11/05/2026

The Audience Was On Duty! A HUGE victory for Satoshi and Viva Moldova at the Eurovision Audience Poll this evening! Thank you to all the contributing sites including @thateurosite.bsky.social, @escxtra.bsky.social, @12pointsusa.bsky.social and others!

ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 11/05/2026

The Audience Was On Duty! A HUGE victory for Satoshi and Viva Moldova at the Eurovision Audience Poll this evening! Thank you to all the contributing sites including @thateurosite.bsky.social, @escxtra.bsky.social, @12pointsusa.bsky.social and others!

ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 11/05/2026

The Eurovision Song Contest is the home for a wealth of trivia and facts, and every year we gather more. Our resident Jeopardy! champion Samantha Ross, @escinsider.bsky.social, returns to take a look at the numbers behind Vienna 2026 for ESC Insight.

Eurovision 2026: By The Numbers

The Eurovision Song Contest Trop 2026 (Photo: EBU)

ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 11/05/2026

There have been nine Eurovision Audience Polls over the past three years. That gives us enough data to see if there is a long-term trend peering through the data, so we can read Audience Poll results even more wisely in the future. @bensvision.bsky.social dives into the statistics.

The Bias Of The Eurovision Audience Poll: A Statistical Review Of Our Survey

Eurovision Audience Poll issues, with Greece 2026 on show (EBU)

ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 08/05/2026

@bensvision.bsky.social placed a bet on #Eurovision 2025. The bet lost. If it had been the Grand Final, it would have won. Why is there such a difference between votes in the Semi Final and Grand Final? Let's have a look at the numbers, who's voting in each show, and the impact of fan favourites.

How Eurovision Voting Changes From Semi Final To Grand Final

Tommy Cash, Espresso Macchiato (Estonia 2025, EBU)

ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 06/05/2026

Over 100,000 visitors are expected to stay in Vienna during the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest. With this number of visitors and thousands of journalists on site from across the world, this is the opportunity for any host city to spread its narrative further. @bensvision.bsky.social explains.

Vienna's Eurovision: A Big Contest In A Big Tourist Destination

Vienna will offer something tourists won't expect during the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.

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

The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 is just around the corner, but how sure are we of what’s going to happen? James Stephenson has been using The Model to work it out – and here’s what he thinks could make its #Eurovision calculations come undone. escinsight.com/2026/05/05/t...

Promotional image for a Eurovision article, 10 Things The Model Could Get Wrong, by James Stephenson.

ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 04/05/2026

It's May, and it's Eurovision month. Interested in knowing what's coming up? We have all the songs, all the numbers, the history, and some opinions as well in this year's free guidebook. Download your guide to 2026’s Eurovision Song Contest from ESC Insight today.

Download ESC Insight's Guidebook To Eurovision 2026

ESC Insight Vienna 2026 guidebook is launched (photo: EBU/ORF)

ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 24/04/2026

You can also watch our interview with Leleka on the ESC Insight YouTube channel ⤵️

Eurovision Uncovered Interviews...Søren Torpegaard Lund: Creating His Own Universe

YouTube video by ESC Insight

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ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 24/04/2026

🇩🇰 From youth theatre to the Eurovision stage, Søren Torpegaard Lund has been inviting us into his world for years. Now, with his contender ‘Før Vi Går Hjem’, he explains to James Stephenson how he created a “pop diva banger” while the world watches back. ⤵️

Creating His Own Universe: How Søren Torpegaard Lund Stays True to Himself at Eurovision

Søren Torpegaard Lund, Denmark 2026 (image: James Stephenson)

ESC Insight @escinsight.com · 21/04/2026

After a week where the London Eurovision Party brought fans in the UK capital out to see many of this year’s acts perform, ‘Liekinheitin’ by Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen has increased its lead, with The Model now forecasting it to score 397 points in the final in Vienna.

The Model: Finland the Eurovision Favourite With 25 Days to Go

The Model - Update Six - 21/04/2026 (James Stephenson)