Eurovision Song Contest 2026

I think it's been struggling for a while, the fact that every year there's tweaking of how the voting is done shows they know it's in trouble. I know many middle aged hard core fans like myself who no longer watch it. We used to joke that it was our gay Christmas. The whole thing has been reduced to the lowest common denominator in order to appeal to as many people as possible but the result is a show where every three minute act is throwing the kitchen sink at it in order to grab your attention. It hasn't been about quality music for decades.

Here's some unexpected Eurovision-related news today:

In my opinion, the ESC has become very corporatised especially over the last 15-20 years.

The homogenous boring corporate logo, the fear of anything live musically, the total takeover of the "stageshow" rather than the song, the huge arenas identically decked out, the public vote (20 times @ a quid a pop or 10, it's all about the money)

Last night was indeed awful - the songs were all terrible and I know that is 75-90% of every ESC but these all felt especially bad.

The hosting was truly awful, devoid of any fun whatsoever or professionalism - I mean this is the 70th anniversary. The best part was the bit on Prater Wien and that wasn't much.

I don't think it has anything to do with five countries not taking part, three have come back - it's just a terrible year for songs and the jaded, same old same old staging of the event that's the problem.

I suspect the terrible songs may be directly linked to the Israel issue. Many artists and composers across Europe probably didn't want to get involved this year - much easier to give the competition a miss.

Was the production quality so poor because of a loss of funding? 'Cheap' was a criticism that kept coming up during the semi final - a low budget production that looked like it had been thrown together. One wonders how Spain and NL could withdraw and yet this supposedly would have zero impact on the funding available for the show.

I will not watch this even for a few minutes …… in recent years it has become so hypocritical …… Israel's continued involvement in it ….. even coming 2nd last year ….. leaves a very bitter taste …..

With Milosevic era Yugoslavia out of it in the past ……. and Russia ….. and Belarus ….. out of it now …… it makes no sense Israel are in it …….

Israel's involvement no doubt has kept others out ….. Morocco ….. Tunisia ….. Lebanon ….. technically not European but neither is Israel …..

The Eurovision has been plagued with bad songs …… including admittedly many Irish ones ….. over the years …… but that is not what stopped me watching …… it was always fun watching and predicting the voting …… it is Netanyahu's country's involvement and the hypocrisy …….

Semi final two tonight. Enjoy it folks.

Great, you've said your piece now, on multiple occasions, to the point that the rest of us could probably write it for you. You're not going to be watching the shows, as you've repeatedly said, so perhaps this thread just isn't really a good fit for you. It's mainly for those of us who are here to discuss the performances and enjoy the contest.

You are venturing into the absurd now. Firstly, how do you even know the songs are terrible? You've been repeatedly posting for months about boycotting the contest this year, so I assume you've followed through on that. If so, you're hardly in a position to judge songs you haven't actually watched or listened to. For all you know, you might even like some of them.

Secondly, if weak Eurovision entries are now apparently caused by political controversies, does that also explain Ireland's poor results over the last decade or so? Prior to that, were Dustin and Jedward the result of some vast geopolitical boycott as well?

Sometimes Eurovision entries are simply just good, bad, bizarre, catchy, forgettable or gloriously ridiculous. That has always been part of the fun. This year is no different.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/11/world/europe/eurovision-israel-gaza-netanyahu.html

Anybody else find that the find the NY times are putting more effort into researching this than the Eurovision boys?

General consensus across the fandom is that this is an extremely poor year, even among the fans who have watched all the national finals - no standout songs and nothing that looks like it will be an international hit post-Contest.

There was huge controversy in the autumn about Israel's participation and it was widely reported that five countries were boycotting. It stands to reason that many artists and composers would have simply opted not to get involved this year i.e. not wanting to be embroiled in controversy about their participation or associated with Israel in any way.

This my first post in this thread, I think. So what you want is an echo chamber? Only post here about your favourite songs etc and ignore the massive elephant in the room?

People constantly reposting about not watching? Fair enough, I get that.

I won't be watching despite being a fan for many years. Anyone who does is basically saying Israeli actions in recent years both directly associated with the contest and more generally are 'regrettable'.

The only way any change happens is when the people rise up and say this is not ok. At least the vast majority of what you read here is from ordinary (real) people. And lots of people are expressing their disgust at the EBU and their spineless cow towing to Israel.

Like others here I think my interest in Eurovision could be over. And that is a shame. I used to love the insight into different cultures, different music and get enraged that Cyprus gave 12 points to Greece again.

Boards.ie is still a place where people with different views can discuss a topic without too much far right extremists and bots dragging it into the gutter.

If you disagree that is your right. But looking to shut down 'the other side' is not the way to go.

So you've nothing, thanks for the clarification.

Look forward to not hearing your conspiracy theory in 6-9 months time. You'll have nothing then as well.