The Euro Trip | Eurovision Podcast

The fallout from the EBU General Assembly vote continues as we hear from one of the broadcasters choosing to withdraw from next year's contest. Natalija Gorščak is the President of the RTV Management Board in Slovenia, and gives her first feature-length interview since her nation quit Eurovision 2026.Click this link to sign up to The Euro Trip + on Patreon for just £4.99 a month.To support the podcast, head to Buy Me A CoffeeFollow us on Twitter, Instagram & TikTok or email hello@eurotrippodcast.com, and find us online at eurotrippodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the news that Israel will be able to participate in next year's Eurovision Song Contest, we bring you the very latest news as at least four countries withdraw from the competition. We share reaction to the news that The Netherlands, Spain, Ireland and Slovenia will be boycotting the event, sharing statements from their broadcasters and asking whether other countries could join them in quitting the contest.We'll also look ahead to what the future of this year's event could hold? Whether two semi-finals are still sustainable? And whether Eurovision itself can survive the ongoing crisis with it's members split on an issue likely to continue to make headlines between now and Vienna.Click this link to sign up to The Euro Trip + on Patreon for just £4.99 a month.To support the podcast, head to Buy Me A CoffeeFollow us on Twitter, Instagram & TikTok or email hello@eurotrippodcast.com, and find us online at eurotrippodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As broadcasters from across Europe and beyond convene for the 95th EBU General Assembly in Geneva, we preview the meeting that could decide the future of the contest. With a vote set to be held on the new measures introduced to safeguard the fairness of the contest, and another potentially being held on Israel's participation, we explain everything that could happen over the coming days.Despite the uncertainty surrounding next year, there's plenty of National Final news to catch up on as we round up the latest headlines, and podcast favourites Tobbe Ek and Stina Dahlgren return as they take us through the artists competing in next year's Melodifestivalen.Click this link to sign up to The Euro Trip + on Patreon for just £4.99 a month.To support the podcast, head to Buy Me A CoffeeFollow us on Twitter, Instagram & TikTok or email hello@eurotrippodcast.com, and find us online at eurotrippodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We welcome Eurovision 2026 Executive Producer Michael Krön back to the podcast as he shares an update on how preparations are going for the contest in Vienna.Speaking just a few days before the EBU General Assembly is held, he explains why he's looking forward a potential end to the political discourse, before teaseing some big announcements including the reveal of next year's stage design, the hosts, and how the organisers plan to mark next year's 70th anniversary.We're also delighted to be joined by Sissal, Denmark's Eurovision queen who finally helped her country return to the Grand Final in Basel.Click this link to sign up to The Euro Trip + on Patreon for just £4.99 a month.To support the podcast, head to Buy Me A CoffeeFollow us on Twitter, Instagram & TikTok or email hello@eurotrippodcast.com, and find us online at eurotrippodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the EBU announce a number of changes to next year's public vote, we're here to ask whether they'll impact the contest in 2026?Eurovision broadcaster Adrian Bradley joins Rob to discuss the measures, including a cap on the number of votes able to be cast, the return of the Jury vote to the semi-finals, an expansion in the size of the juries themselves, and new technology aimed at combating manipulation of the public vote.Don't forget to share your thoughts on the changes with us too.Click this link to sign up to The Euro Trip + on Patreon for just £4.99 a month.To support the podcast, head to Buy Me A CoffeeFollow us on Twitter, Instagram & TikTok or email hello@eurotrippodcast.com, and find us online at eurotrippodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the discussion around next year's event continues, we're joined by a Flemish MP and Belgian Senator who shares her view on the state of the competition.Katia Segers tells us why she believes urgent changes are needed to ensure Eurovision continues for another 70 years, and why next year's edition is arguably the most important in the history of the contest.We hear your views on what should change, and we delve into our archive as we share the surprising connection between one of the rumoured hosts of Eurovision 2026 and this very podcast.Click this link to sign up to The Euro Trip + on Patreon for just £4.99 a month.To support the podcast, head to Buy Me A CoffeeFollow us on Twitter, Instagram & TikTok or email hello@eurotrippodcast.com, and find us online at eurotrippodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With all the talk surrounding who may or may not participate in the contest in Vienna, we turn our attention to the other hot topic set for discussion at the EBU General Assembly next month. With calls in the immediate aftermath of Eurovision 2025 for voting reform, we're joined by friend of the podcast, broadcaster Adrian Bradley to look at the possible changes needed.Later on we also take a trip down memory lane as we celebrate Basel's brilliant postcards with Creative Director duo Luca Zurfluh and Jen Ries. They take us behind the scenes to reveal how they produced the memorable short films between each performance, and their favourite moments along the way.Click this link to sign up to The Euro Trip + on Patreon for just £4.99 a month.To support the podcast, head to Buy Me A CoffeeFollow us on Twitter, Instagram & TikTok or email hello@eurotrippodcast.com, and find us online at eurotrippodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the surprising news that the Canadian government and national broadcaster CBC are considering funding an entry into the Eurovision Song Contest, we discuss whether Canada could join the line-up for next year's competition in Vienna. We also celebrate the return of Bulgaria, Moldova and Romania, and look ahead to Eesti Laul after a number of former Estonian Eurovision stars were revealed to be competing next year.Later on Dr Eurovision himself, Paul Jordan joins us as he explains how he helped selected the acts set to compete in January's Luxembourg Song Contest.Read the latest news on Canada's potential Eurovision returnClick this link to sign up to The Euro Trip + on Patreon for just £4.99 a month.To support the podcast, head to Buy Me A CoffeeFollow us on Twitter, Instagram & TikTok or email hello@eurotrippodcast.com, and find us online at eurotrippodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How can the United Kingdom return to the left-hand side of the leaderboard at Eurovision in Vienna? After disappointing televote results in recent years, we look at the decisions facing the BBC as they look to turn around their fortunes in 2026. Music journalist Nick Levine joins us to give his view, while we share more news about who will be leading the search for the UK delegation this time around.Later in the episode we reunite with friend of the podcast and Friend in London singer Tim Schou as he looks back on his career to date, and looks ahead to his new EP + some big live events on the way for him in the coming months.***PLEASE COMPLETE OUR FEEDBACK SURVEY***Check out Tim Schou's latest EP & watch Fernand's review of Eurovision 2025 here.Click this link to sign up to The Euro Trip + on Patreon for just £4.99 a month.To support the podcast, head to Buy Me A Coffee.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram & TikTok or email hello@eurotrippodcast.com, and find us online at eurotrippodcast.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back with our first episode of the 2026 season as we begin our weekly episodes that will take us from now through until the contest in Vienna next May. Thing is, we don't know what Eurovision in Austria will look like, and who'll take part...We attempt to explain the latest on the situation, whether member broadcasters will get the chance to vote on Israel's participation, and what happens next?There's also some news from Albania and Montenegro, some excellent Eurovision song in the wild submissions, and the One Second Song returns!And did we mention Rewind returns for a special look back at the last time Austria hosted a decade ago?!***PLEASE COMPLETE OUR FEEDBACK SURVEY***Click this link to sign up to The Euro Trip + on Patreon for just £4.99 a month.To support the podcast, head to Buy Me A Coffee.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram & TikTok or email hello@eurotrippodcast.com, and find us online at eurotrippodcast.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We give you a chance to hear a special conversation held at this year's Radio Festival hosted in London.In a panel discussion produced by The Euro Trip podcast's Rob Lilley-Jones, you'll hear what happened when a line-up of fantastic guests talked about the past, present, and future of the contest, and why Eurovision continues to be a ratings winner on TV and radio.Remember Monday also reflect on their experience as the UK entry, and we hear an acoustic version of their latest single.The Euro Trip podcast will return in a fortnight as we start the journey to Vienna and Eurovision 2026.***PLEASE COMPLETE OUR FEEDBACK SURVEY***Click this link to sign up to The Euro Trip + on Patreon for just £4.99 a month.To support the podcast, head to Buy Me A Coffee.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram & TikTok or email hello@eurotrippodcast.com, and find us online at eurotrippodcast.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Something special for you this week as we catch up with the UK's representatives from Eurovision 2025 to look back on their journey.Lauren, Holly, and Charlotte join us to reflect on their experiences in Basel, including a choatic end to Grand Final night, their hopes of returning to the contest in the future, and how they are preparing for their first ever UK tour.Buy your ticket to see Remember Monday on tour in the UK.***PLEASE COMPLETE OUR FEEDBACK SURVEY***Click this link to sign up to The Euro Trip + on Patreon for just £4.99 a month.To support the podcast, head to Buy Me A Coffee.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram & TikTok or email hello@eurotrippodcast.com, and find us online at eurotrippodcast.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The final episode of this series of The Contest and Me is here, and we're chatting to a Eurovision winner. Sergio Jaen led the creative team that inspired Austria to victory in 2025 and he reflects on that unforgettable night in Basel.He also looks back on his earliest memories of the contest, how an iconic entry inspired him to work towards a career crafting captivating performances, and he explains more about what he'll be doing in his new role as Creative Director for Benidorm Fest 2026.Click this link to sign up to The Euro Trip + on Patreon for just £4.99 a month.To support the podcast, head to Buy Me A Coffee.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram & TikTok or email hello@eurotrippodcast.com, and find us online at eurotrippodcast.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this emergency episode we discuss the increasing calls from across Europe for the EBU to make a decision on Israel's participation in next year's contest.As Irish broadcaster RTE and AVROTROS from The Netherlands declare they won't be at the contest in Vienna unless action is taken, we hear how other participating nations are reacting, where this leaves the contest, and what might happen in the coming days.***PLEASE COMPLETE OUR FEEDBACK SURVEY***Click this link to sign up to The Euro Trip + on Patreon for just £4.99 a month.To support the podcast, head to Buy Me A Coffee.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram & TikTok or email hello@eurotrippodcast.com, and find us online at eurotrippodcast.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The penultimate episode of this year's edition of The Contest & Me is here, and we're catching up with an old friend as Iceland's former Head of Delegation guides us through his varied Eurovision career.Felix Bergsson explains how he could have represented his nation on their contest debut in the 1980s, and how he unexpectedly ended up working at his first Eurovision after the tragic passing of his friend back in 2011. From life in the commentary box to his time on the Reference Group and more, this is a fascinating conversation.Click this link to sign up to The Euro Trip + on Patreon for just £4.99 a month.To support the podcast, head to Buy Me A Coffee.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram & TikTok or email hello@eurotrippodcast.com, and find us online at eurotrippodcast.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We meet Eurovision 2026's new Executive Producer as preparations begin for next year's contest in Vienna.In a wide ranging interview he discusses the finances available to organise the competition, when we can expect news on the hosts, stage design and creative concept, and how the situation involving Israel is impacting the work of the host broadcaster.Click this link to sign up to The Euro Trip + on Patreon for just £4.99 a month.To support the podcast, head to Buy Me A Coffee.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram & TikTok or email hello@eurotrippodcast.com, and find us online at eurotrippodcast.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this week's episode we're going behind the scenes at Eurovision HQ to chat to one of the EBU's Digital Team.Heidi Stephens first started covering the contest blogging for The Guardian in the mid-2000s, fast forward to today and she's among the first people to see artists take to the stage for their first rehearsals each year.During this interview we'll hear how a UK winner helped her connect with the competition as a child, how she started covering the event in her pyjamas, and make sure you keep listening for an incredible moment from Rotterdam featuring one of Eurovision's most surprising participants.Click this link to sign up to The Euro Trip + on Patreon for just £4.99 a month.To support the podcast, head to Buy Me A Coffee.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram & TikTok or email hello@eurotrippodcast.com, and find us online at eurotrippodcast.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They are one of the contest's most beloved Eurovision countries, this week Finland's commentator joins us for a fascinating insight into his career so far. Looking back to his earliest memory back in the mid-eighties, to what happens when the unexpected happens on stage, Mikko shares his most memorable moments from the commentary box. He also gives his view on the current controversies surrounding Eurovision, and even offers to share UMK with the BBC if it helps get the United Kingdom back towards the top of the final leaderboard.Click this link to sign up to The Euro Trip + on Patreon for just £4.99 a month.To support the podcast, head to Buy Me A Coffee.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram & TikTok or email hello@eurotrippodcast.com, and find us online at eurotrippodcast.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're live in the host city of next year's contest to get all the reaction from the Austrian capital as they win the right to host the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest.We go behind the scenes of the live announcement to hear when the city were told the good news, how the public are reacting, and what happens next now we've secured a location for the 2026 edition of the contest. We're also reunited with Letizia Elia, Basel's Director of Tourism as she shares her emotions a year on from her own city's success, and the EBU's Martin Green is back to help explain why Vienna are the perfect host city for a special anniversary year.Click this link to sign up to The Euro Trip + on Patreon for just £4.99 a month.To support the podcast, head to Buy Me A Coffee.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram & TikTok or email hello@eurotrippodcast.com, and find us online at eurotrippodcast.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another week and we're already on to our second episode of the new series of The Contest & Me as some of Eurovision's favourite personalities join us to explore their own relationship with the contest. This week we're delighted to say we'll be joined by one of Eurovision's biggest influencers and content creators as Anni - better known as ESC Factful - joins us to share her Eurovision story.She tells us more about her time growing up in Finland, the moment that made her fall in love with the contest, and a full circle moment with fan favourite Käärijä,Click this link to sign up to The Euro Trip + on Patreon for just £4.99 a month.To support the podcast, head to Buy Me A Coffee.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram & TikTok or email hello@eurotrippodcast.com, and find us online at eurotrippodcast.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.