#ESC2016: 41 COUNTRIES IN STOCKHOLM - BUT WHAT ABOUT THE AUSSIES?

At least 41 countries will be represented in Eurovision 2016 - and the full line-up is set to be revealed very soon.. so the big question is - will Australia stay? Their 2015 representation was pretty awesome. Some would argue it gave a new lease of life to the contest.. Personally, I wouldn't object to them remaining a permanent fixture. Australia's HoD was teasing about sending an even bigger name next year should they be invited. Apparently even Conchita supports Australia's participation. Time will tell if it happens. But if Australia aren't invited back - who is is 41st country? Kazakhstan have wanted to debut for some years now. Will 2016 be the year they succeed? Bosnia will apparently make a decision next week and Croatia's announcement is due very soon. Exciting times :-)

LEBANON TO DEBUT IN 2016?

It's very unlikely but not impossible. escXtra reports that the Lebanese broadcaster said the following when asked about possible participation in our beloved contest:

We are not sure yet, however we are working on it and will keep you updated.

Will we finally see them debut? Lebanon was set to enter the contest in 2005 although wouldn't broadcaster the Israeli entry and subsequently had to withdraw. Who knows if they would be willing to show Israel's entry next year IF they were to participate...

PORTUGAL WITHDRAWS FROM EUROVISION 2016!

Damn. Portugal won't participate in Eurovision 2016. I'm so saddened. Portugal therefore becomes the first country to withdraw from the contest. OGAE Portugal reports that it's financial difficulties that have lead the country to withdraw. An official statement from RTP is still to come so stay tuned... Many Eurofans need to listen to this now.

Source - Eurovoix

WHO WILL AND WON'T PARTICIPATE IN EUROVISION 2016?

The deadline for countries to apply for participation was 15th September although it's still possible to withdraw up until 10th October without a financial penalty. Ukraine, Bulgaria and Bosnia & Herzegovina have all expressed an interest to return however Bosnia said this last year so I'm trying not to get too excited... but of course it would be awesome to have 'em back. I am thrilled to see Bulgaria and Ukraine return too. Israel will defiantly participate after some doubts and have been allocated to perform in the 2nd semi final, as the 1st semi clashes with Israel's memorial day.

Portugal, Russia and San Marino all remain silent but are expected to be in Stockholm. Maybe. Interestingly, Montenegro announced a few days ago their participation is uncertain. We still don't know what's happening with Croatia but for some reason, I'm not so optimistic.. even though it's been hinted The Voice winner, Nina Kraljic, could fly the Croatian flag.

Liechtenstein defiantly won't compete due to not having the funds to apply for EBU membership. A shame but I'm not surprised. And then we have Australia. Are the Aussies going to become a permanent fixture.. It would be nice for them to stick around but EUROvision? If they stay, there's going to be uproar. Maybe the EBU will invite someone else? China wants to enter and what about Kazakhstan? Will 2016 be the year they debut? Or someone else? Kosovo? Who knows what's going to happen. There's still so many unanswered questions and lot's of uncertainty. It would be awesome to have a record breaking amount of participants next year.

BIG 5 AND SWEDEN TO PERFORM IN SEMI FINALS!

I'm baaack! This morning it was announced the Big Five and Sweden (next years host country) will perform in the semi finals as part of the interval act. Jon Ola Sand said:

It will look so much better to show the Big Five and the host country on the Eurovision Song Contest stage, performing their act as it will be in the Grand Final.

I welcome this decision. These countries will get the same amount of exposure. The only Big Five country to exceed 21st place in 2015 was Italy.... that's if you don't include Australia. More on that later..

Stockholm 2016: Måns Zelmerlöw to host?!

Måns Zelmerlöw is going to host the 61st Eurovision Song Contest, according to Aftonbladet. Apparently the deal is almost complete but there are some formalities yet to be agreed or something. It's believed Måns will be the main presenter and not a greenroom presenter or a guest. Will he host the show alone? More is expected to be revealed very soon.. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR (KINDA)

September 1st. The day where the Eurovision season officially kicks off as any song released today onwards could be a potential Eurovision entry. Sweden and Denmark have already opened submissions with many more countries expected to announce their selection plans.. Roll on I say! I miss the national final season. :-)

Stockholm 2016: Måns Zelmerlöw and Petra Mede to host?

Måns Zelmerlöw and Petra Mede are very likely to host Eurovision 2016, according to Expressen. Sanna Nielson (who said she would've loved the job) is going to host Allsång på Skansen - a very popular summer festival - so maybe this means she's out the the race? Maybe. Who knows. Petra divides the Eurovision fan community but this blogger is a massive fan. I'd be more than happy to see her and Måns host the contest. However we shouldn't rule out Gina Dirawi and Sarah Dawn Finer. Both are also rumoured. Only time will tell.

Stockholm 2016: Round up of July's news!

Eurovision news this month has been very very slow and therefore I haven't been able to update the blog much recently but I'm still here, don't worry :-) Here's a little recap into what's been happening this month:

• Switzerland's national final will be held on 13th February. Same procedure as normal. Anyone can apply.
• Turkey and Ukraine have both expressed interest in returning however official confirmation is still to be made.
• If Sanna Nielson was asked to host the contest, she would say ja. But the 2014 Swedish participant has said she would need to brush up on her French if asked! 
• Polina Gagarina performed 'A Million Voices' at the Fifa World Cup Allocation Draw in St Petersburg. I still think she would've made a fantastic winner....
• Monaco won't return. Sigh. 
• Nina Kraljić is rumoured to be Croatia's representative IF they return but who knows what's going to happen. 

....and that's pretty much it!

STOCKHOLM TO HOST EUROVISION 2016!

Finally some official news regarding Eurovision 2016! It's been officially confirmed this morning that the 61st Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Stockholm and the arena will be Ericsson Globe aka Globen. The arena played host to Eurovision 2000 and Melodifestivalen in 2002 and 2012. I'm not surprised. Hopefully this blogger will be able to finally make Eurovision but who knows what tomorrow holds :-) Globen seats approx. 16,000 people, At the moment, 19 countries have prematurely announced their participation in 2016 with both Ukraine and Turkey set to return.