In Episode 5 of Under the Eurovision Radar, we turn our attention to one of the most unpredictable, creative and resilient countries in Eurovision history: Moldova. A nation that has delivered iconic stagings, unforgettable performances and fan‑favourite moments — all while operating on some of the smallest budgets in the contest. But their journey to Eurovision 2026 has been anything but simple.

Before diving into today’s analysis, we open with a message to our listeners: if there’s any Eurovision topic you want covered — a country, a controversy, a national final, a forgotten gem — leave it in the comments. This podcast grows with your ideas, and your suggestions shape the episodes ahead.

Then we begin Moldova’s story.

We revisit 2023, when Pasha Parfeni brought “Soarele și Luna” to the stage with mystical energy, folkloric identity and a staging that proved once again that Moldova can do a lot with very little. It was a solid year, a confident year — the kind of entry that reminds everyone why Moldova is such a beloved wildcard.

But 2024 told a different story. Natalia Barbu returned with “In the Middle”, a polished but safer entry that struggled to stand out in a competitive semifinal. Moldova failed to qualify, and for the first time in years, the country felt… quiet. The risk‑taking spirit wasn’t there, and the result reflected it.

Then came 2025, the year everything collapsed. Moldova withdrew from Eurovision entirely due to lack of funding. Not because of artistic issues, not because of broadcaster drama — simply because they couldn’t afford to participate. For a country known for turning pennies into spectacle, it was a heartbreaking moment.

And yet, in 2026, Moldova returns — and not just returns, but does so with the biggest national selection in their history. Dozens of artists, multiple rounds, a surprisingly polished production. A complete contradiction to the financial crisis of the previous year. As discussed earlier in the season, Moldova is one of the countries participating in 2026 at “almost zero cost”, thanks to external support. After the controversies within the EBU, it wouldn’t be surprising if part of their selection was also externally funded.

From this massive selection emerges their entry for Vienna 2026: Satoshi – “Viva, Moldova!” A high‑energy, festive pop track with folkloric touches, bursting with national pride and designed to light up the stage. Bright colours, dynamic choreography, carnival‑like energy — Moldova returns to the formula that made them iconic: fun, identity and rhythm.

And there’s more. Moldova opens Semi‑Final 1, a perfect slot for an explosive, upbeat entry. If the live vocals hold up, they could easily return to the final after a year of absence.

Episode 5 is a story of collapse and resurrection.A country that disappeared from the contest… only to come back louder than ever.A reminder that in Eurovision, nothing is ever final — and Moldova is proof that even the smallest broadcaster can deliver the biggest surprises.

Eurovision 2026 just became bigger than anyone expected. In this fourth episode of Under the Eurovision Radar, we return from the Easter break to one of the most explosive announcements in recent Eurovision history: Eurovision Asia is officially launching in 2026. A brand‑new contest, a brand‑new stage, and a brand‑new chapter for the Eurovision universe. From national selections across the continent to a Grand Final in Bangkok, the project promises to be louder, bolder and more ambitious than anything the EBU has attempted outside Europe. We break down what the announcement reveals, what it hides, and what this expansion could mean for the future of the main contest.

But that’s not the only major update. Vienna has released the full running orders for both semifinals of Eurovision 2026, and they tell a very clear story about how this year’s competition is being shaped. We analyse every slot: who benefits, who’s in danger, who’s been placed strategically, and how the pacing of each show could influence the results. From Moldova opening Semi‑Final 1 to Norway closing Semi‑Final 2, from Israel’s high‑impact mid‑show placement to the Big 4 interval performances woven into the running order — this is one of the most carefully structured editions in years, and we unpack every detail.

And then, we turn our attention to Malta, a country that has lived through a turbulent Eurovision decade. We revisit their journey from 2023 to 2025: the charm of The Busker, the high‑energy ambition of Sarah Bonnici, the small but meaningful comeback with Miriana Conte. Three years of reinvention, frustration, and flashes of potential. With that context in place, we dive into their 2026 entry: Aidan with “Bella”. A multilingual Mediterranean pop track blending English, Maltese and Spanish, full of warmth, nostalgia and emotional sincerity. We explore Aidan’s evolution as an artist, his dominant victory at MESC 2026, the staging direction, the lyrical themes, and how “Bella” fits into the brutal landscape of Semi‑Final 2 — positioned between Albania’s intimate “Nân” and Norway’s explosive closer.

This episode is a turning point in the season. Eurovision is expanding beyond Europe for the first time in decades, the structure of the 2026 contest is now fully visible, and Malta arrives with one of its most accessible entries in years. Whether you’re excited, sceptical or simply curious, Episode 4 is where all the threads start coming together.

Eurovision Asia.Running orders.Malta 2026.A new era is beginning — and we’re here to break it all down.

Eurovision 2026 is finally taking shape — and in this third episode of Under the Eurovision Radar, we leave behind the political storms of the anniversary and step into the competitive heart of the season. With only 35 participating countries, the semifinal allocations matter more than ever, and the dynamics they create could define the entire contest.

We begin by breaking down the full allocation draw: who competes in each half, which countries benefit from the distribution, and which ones suddenly find themselves in a much tougher path to the final. Semifinal 1 emerges as a balanced mix of vocal powerhouses and unpredictable televote magnets, while Semifinal 2 turns into a battlefield — a dense, competitive lineup where even strong countries may struggle to stand out. We explore the voting blocs, the historical patterns, the potential shock qualifiers, and the early red flags that could shape the narrative of Eurovision 2026 long before rehearsals begin.

But the second half of the episode is dedicated to one country in particular: Albania. A nation known for its bold artistic choices, emotional intensity, and complete unpredictability. Before diving into their 2026 entry, we revisit Albania’s journey over the last three years: the traditional drama of “Duje” in 2023, the modern but unlucky “Zemrën n’dorë” in 2024, and the explosive comeback of “Zjerm” in 2025 — their best result in more than a decade. It’s a trajectory full of highs, lows, reinventions, and surprises.

Then we turn to 2026, where Albania brings something entirely different: Alis with “Nân”, a delicate, intimate and emotionally charged entry that stands out in one of the toughest semifinals of the year. We explore the meaning behind the song, the minimalist staging, the artistic direction, and the risks and rewards of sending such a vulnerable performance into a competitive environment dominated by power vocals, big productions and televote giants. Can Albania qualify with a song that whispers instead of shouting? Can emotional authenticity survive in a semifinal full of heavyweights like Norway, Australia and Ukraine?

This episode is all about understanding the structure of the competition before the season truly begins. The semifinals are not just lists of countries — they are ecosystems, pressure points, and narrative engines. And Albania’s entry is not just another song — it’s a test of whether subtlety can still thrive in Eurovision 2026.

If Episode 2 was about the cracks beneath the surface, Episode 3 is about the battlefield ahead.The music is finally starting to speak — and the story of Eurovision 2026 is only getting more interesting.

The 70th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest should have been a celebration — a milestone year filled with excitement, unity, and spectacle. Instead, Eurovision 2026 arrives surrounded by tension, withdrawals, questionable decisions, and a growing sense that the festival is entering one of the most fragile moments in its history.

In this second episode of Under the Eurovision Radar, we take a deep dive into everything that defines this strange and uncomfortable edition. We break down the new Eurovision 2026 logo and what its conservative visual identity says about the EBU’s priorities this year. We look at Vienna’s return as host city and the decision to reuse the 2015 venue — a choice that speaks volumes about the need for safety, predictability, and damage control.

We also explore the stage and the surprising retro green room, a visual contrast that reflects the festival’s current identity crisis: a contest trying to move forward while clinging tightly to its past. From there, we examine the lowest participation of the decade, with only 35 countries competing and five notable withdrawals — including Spain and the Netherlands — all tied to the same unresolved issue.

To fill the gaps, the EBU has invited additional countries whose participation is fully funded by Moroccanoil, raising new questions about influence, transparency, and the financial stability of the contest. It’s a patchwork solution that reveals more than it fixes.

And then comes the unavoidable topic: Israel.

Before we can talk about music, before we can enjoy the season, before we can move on… we need to address the elephant in the room. That’s why this episode dedicates a full section to Israel’s trajectory from 2023 to 2026 — a period marked by televote controversies, government‑backed campaigns, diplomatic tensions, and a blocked vote at the EBU Assembly that changed the course of this anniversary edition.

Once that context is clear, we turn to Israel’s 2026 entry itself. We look at the artist, the song, the narrative surrounding it, and the political weight it carries simply by existing in this year’s lineup. Not to sensationalize — but to understand. To put everything on the table. To close this chapter so that the rest of the season can finally breathe.

This episode is not about taking sides. It’s about clarity. About understanding how Eurovision reached this point, why 2026 feels so unstable, and what it means for the contest moving forward.

Because before we talk about melodies, staging, and national finals…we need to understand the cracks beneath the surface.

Eurovision 2026: When the Illusion Broke

What if Eurovision was never as fair as we believed?

In the premiere episode of Under the Eurovision Radar, we take a step back from the lights, the performances, and the spectacle to examine something far more uncomfortable: the growing feeling that the contest is no longer what it used to be.

This is not just a recap of Eurovision 2026. This is the story of how we got here.

We go back to 2022, a year that many now see as the first major turning point. Ukraine’s victory, widely expected and overwhelmingly supported, raised a question that had always existed in the background but was suddenly impossible to ignore: can a song contest remain apolitical in a deeply political world? For many fans, that moment marked the beginning of a shift in perception — where context began to matter as much as, if not more than, the music itself.

From there, we move into the turbulent editions of 2024 and 2025, where controversy stopped being subtle and became central to the conversation. Accusations of disproportionate promotion, questions around fairness, and growing tensions within the fanbase began to erode trust in the system. Eurovision no longer felt like a level playing field — it felt like something else entirely.

But the real breaking point came behind closed doors.

In December 2025, during the European Broadcasting Union’s General Assembly, a historic decision was expected: a vote on whether Israel should remain in the competition. What followed, according to multiple accounts and reactions from delegations, was a deeply contested process marked by blocked procedures, denied votes, and allegations of institutional manipulation. The vote didn’t fail — it never happened.

The consequences were immediate.

Several countries, including Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Ireland, and Iceland, announced their withdrawal from the contest. Not over a performance, not over a result — but over a loss of trust. In a year that was supposed to celebrate Eurovision’s 70th anniversary, the contest instead faced one of the most significant crises in its history, with participation dropping and its identity called into question.

So where does that leave Eurovision?

In this episode, we explore whether 2026 represents the beginning of the end — or simply the end of the illusion. Because maybe Eurovision hasn’t changed as much as we think… maybe we’re just seeing it more clearly than ever before.

Correction: In the audio, we mistakenly refer to the EBU General Assembly as taking place in 2026. The correct date is December 2025.