Sem Anne van Dijk asks why despite the intense pressure Eurovision can place on its artists, many of them can’t help but keep returning to the competition.

What does it take to perform on the world’s biggest stage? In Episode 2 of the Eurovision Uncovered podcast, James Stephenson puts the spotlight on Eurovision’s artists – and explores just how much pressure the Song Contest puts them under.

After years of absence, Bulgaria, Romania, and Moldova are set to return to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2026, each for their own reasons. Their comeback highlights the enduring power of Eurovision as a stage for culture, creativity, and international visibility.

James Stephenson and Sem Anne van Dijk crunch the numbers behind Eurovision songs and discover what makes the difference on the Song Contest stage.

In the first episode of Eurovision Uncovered, James Stephenson explores how the Eurovision songs we love get made – and whether every unique song has the same chance of making it to the world’s biggest Song Contest.

The European Broadcasting Union faces an unprecedented vote on whether Israel will compete in Eurovision 2026, a decision set to define the contest’s future. Whichever way the result falls, the fallout threatens boycotts, protests, and a deep clash between Eurovision’s ideals of unity and the political realities of today.