Elephant in the room: New Eurovision rules, old problems; new tunes, old mates

JOYEurovision is back for season 2026. And with it being the 70th edition of the world’s biggest music competition, we all should be celebrating right? The news over the break has made things difficult for Eurovision fans, including Michael and Io. In this season return: Get the latest news about the semi final allocation draw Catch up on the new Eurovision rules introduced after the General Assembly Dive into the issues behind Israel’s participation Find out about the fallout from the EBU General Assembly vote Find out how it’s affecting the JOYEurovision team in 2026 Get involved Follow JOYEurovision across Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Bluesky and X at linktr.ee/joy_eurovision Not in Australia? Grab this podcast via Spotify Podcasts. Playlist Käärijä – Disko Balls Go-Jo & Erika Vikman – Appetite Tina Karol – Шиншила Subwoolfer – Dark Side of the Moon Aiko – Time Nemo – Ride My Baby ADONXS – Perfume The post Elephant in the room: New Eurovision rules, old problems; new tunes, old mates appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

So many kids, so little time… but they’re all so so talented, and representing their countries in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest being held on Saturday 13 December (5pm CET) in Tbilisi. Michael and Io preview the second half of this year’s Contest and there’s a lot to talk about. Michael has a Book Week favourite and Io laments the loss of kid-first songs. But what do you think? Make sure you vote at jesc.tv! What do Michael and Io want back next time? Which song has Io positively beaming? Which country might need an intervention? Get involved Watch the show on YouTube (live from 3am AEST on 14 December) Listen to the songs on your preferred platform Watch the video by following the link Follow JOYEurovision across Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Bluesky and X at linktr.ee/joy_eurovision Not in Australia? Grab this podcast via Spotify Podcasts. Playlist North Macedonia: Nela Mancheska – Miracle      Montenegro: Asja Džogović – I Tužna i Srećna Priča [Both a Sad and a Happy Story]      Italy: Leonardo Giovannangeli – Rockstar      Portugal: Inês Gonçalves – Para Onde Vai o Amor? [Where Does Love Go?]      Spain: Gonzalo Pinillos – Érase Una Vez (Once Upon a Time)      Georgia: Anita Abgariani – Shine Like a Star      Cyprus: Rafaella & Christos – AWAY      France: Lou Deleuze – Ce Monde [This World]      Albania: Kroni Pula – Fruta Perime [Fruits and Vegetables]      The post Previewing the second half of Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2025 appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

It’s time to celebrate children’s talent as the Junior Eurovision Song Contest lands for another year. Michael and Io preview the first half of this year’s Contest, being held on Saturday 13 December (5pm CET) in Tbilisi. Who’s getting the party started? What’s medicine got to do with it? Where are the adults in children’s clothing? Get involved Watch the show on YouTube (live from 3am AEST on 14 December) Listen to the songs on your preferred platform Watch the video by following the link Follow JOYEurovision across Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Bluesky and X at linktr.ee/joy_eurovision Not in Australia? Grab this podcast via Spotify Podcasts. Playlist Malta: Eliza Borg – I Believe    Azerbaijan: Yağmur – Miau Miau [Azeri: Meow Meow]    Croatia: Marino Vrgoč – Snovi [Croatian: Dreams]    San Marino: Martina CRV – Beyond the Stars    Armenia: Albert – Brave Heart    Ukraine: Sofia Nersesian – Motanka    Ireland: Lottie O’Driscoll Murray – Rúin [Gaelic: Secrets]    Netherlands: Meadow – Freeze    Poland: Marianna Kłos – Brightest Light    The post Previewing the first half of Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2025 appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

It’s that time, when we say goodbye to Eurovision for another year. Michael and Io traipse into (the old school version of) Euroclub to let their hair down, enjoy a boogie, have a drink and share some goss as Season 2025 comes to a close. Hear from some national finals we never got to, find out what the latest voting dramas are up to, and enjoy Te Deum one last time. What’s in the water in Lithuania? Can Stefan Raab ever step away? And what the hell actually did happen? Get involved Follow JOYEurovision across Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Bluesky and X at linktr.ee/joy_eurovision Not in Australia? Grab this podcast via Spotify Podcasts. Playlist Remember Monday – What The Hell Just Happened? (Marcus Wiles Radio Edit) July Jones – New Religion Lion Ceccah – Drobė Liepa – Ar Mylėtum? Feuerschwanz ft Dag SDP – Knightclub Abor & Tynna – Baller (nowifi Remix) Evangelia – Vále Klavdia – Asteromáta (Playmen & Valeron Remix) Go-Jo – Milkshake Man (Joylon Petch Radio Edit) The post Let’s party: Time to say goodbye to Eurovision 2025 appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

Danke Österreich! The Eurovision trophy was lifted by JJ, after getting over the line in a nailbiting 2025 Grand Final. Michael and Io turn the clocks back to celebrate all things Austria at Eurovision, ever since ORF’s first entry in 1957. Experience the ups, the downs, the non-qualifications, the withdrawals and the wins through this special winner’s retrospective. What does Michael need to see return to Eurovision? Why was Conchita so important to Io? What was Austria thinking in the 2000s? Get involved Follow JOYEurovision across Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Bluesky and X at linktr.ee/joy_eurovision Not in Australia? Grab this podcast via Spotify Podcasts. Playlist 1957: Bob Martin – Wohin, kleines Pony? [Where to, little pony?] 1966: Udo Jürgens – Merci, Chérie [Thank you, darling] 1977: Schmetterlinge – Boom-boom boomerang 1985: Gary Lux – Kinder Dieser Welt [Children of the world] 1996: George Nussbaumer – Weil’s dr guat got [Because you feel good] 2003: Alf Poier – Weil der Mensch zählt [Because mankind are the ones who are counting] 2005: Global Kryner – Y Así [And so] 2014: Conchita Wurst – Rise Like A Phoenix 2023: TEYA & SALENA – Who The Hell Is Edgar? 2024: Kaleen – We Will Rave 2025: JJ – Wasted Love The post JJ’s a 2025 Eurovision winner baby: Celebrating Austria appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

After months of drama, backflips, cartwheels, protests and personnel changes, we’ve arrived at our final destination: The Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. Michael and Io roll up their sleeves to preview the six auto qualifiers and share their thoughts on the 26 songs in the running to claim the (currently unbroken) glass trophy. The Grand Final for 2025 comes to you live on SBS and SBS On Demand on Sunday 18 May at 5am (AEST). Remember: You need to up and watching LIVE to vote and make your voice count. What might Germany and Australia have in common? Which country has had a glow up? What did Michael and Io (and a heap of Aussies) see on the French stage? Get involved Follow JOYEurovision across Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Bluesky and X at linktr.ee/joy_eurovision  Vote now to tell us who you think should win the 2025 trophy. Save the music to your preferred streaming platform. Not in Australia? Grab this podcast via Spotify Podcasts. Playlist Spain: Melody – ESA DIVA [THAT DIVA] United Kingdom: Remember Monday – What The Hell Just Happened? Italy: Lucio Corsi – Volevo essere un duro [I wanted to be a tough guy] Germany: Abor & Tynna – Baller [Shoot] Switzerland: Zoë Më – Voyage France: Louane – maman [Mum] The post Previewing the Eurovision 2025 Grand Final appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

Eurovision is one big family and this year, some Icelandic brothers have extended it even further. Hálfdán and Matthías are VÆB, and they’ve found a brand-new pair of blinged out sunglasses just in time to make their way to Basel. Michael and Io chat with the lads about their music, being the oldies at Songvakeppnin and if they’d ever consider being in a Eurovision and Alone Australia crossover series. Which Eurovision singer would they want to have in their boat? How many glasses do they have? Why do the boys know all about funerals? You can see VÆB perform Róa during Semi Final 1. Watch it on SBS: Live on Wednesday 14 May at 5am AEST Prime time on Friday 16 May at 7:30pm AEST Not in Australia? Watch the video in full in the Spotify podcast. The post Boats, glasses and TV shows: Catching up with VÆB appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

Every year, JOY 94.9 turns to you to ask for your support in keeping Australia’s only LGBTIQA community media organisation Out, Loud and Proud. Radiothon is our annual fundraiser and this year’s theme is Stronger Together. It’s with your financial support that we can continue to amplify our diverse LGBTIQA+ voices across Australia and the world. Michael and Bryan get into the Radiothon spirit by getting together to run through some of the latest news out of Basel. Plus, there are a few brand new tunes from your Eurovision favourites. You can support JOY during Radiothon by becoming a member or donating at joy.org.au/radiothon Get involved Follow JOYEurovision across Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Bluesky and X at linktr.ee/joy_eurovision Not in Australia? Grab this podcast via Spotify Podcasts. The news Flags, flags, flags… and why Nemo and the delegations aren’t too happy about the new rules What’s with all the interval acts? The qualifier reveals will be different this year, but do they really need to change? Playlist Nemo – Casanova Voyager – Seen Better Days Montaigne – it’s all about the money KEiiNO – Unstoppable The post Stronger Together with a Eurovision 2025 update appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

There are only days until Europe (and Australia) pick up their phones to choose who’s off to the Eurovision Grand Final for 2025. Michael and Bryan run through the second half of Semi Final 2, to explore who’s involved, who’s got a chance, and who’s your best tip for a breakfast break. Do not forget to set your alarm, so you can watch (and vote in) Semi Final 2 live on SBS and SBS On Demand on Friday 16 May at 5am (AEST). What’s getting Michael’s goat? Who should do an Australian tour? How can you help us be Stronger Together? Hint: Head to joy.org.au/radiothon to support JOY! Get involved Follow JOYEurovision across Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Bluesky and X at linktr.ee/joy_eurovision  Vote now to rank all of the songs in this half of Semi Final 2 and choose who you think will be headed to the Grand Final. Save the music to your preferred streaming platform. Not in Australia? Grab this podcast via Spotify Podcasts. Playlist Malta: Miriana Conte – SERVING Georgia: Mariam Shengelia – Freedom Denmark: Sissal – Hallucination Czechia: ADONXS – Kiss Kiss Goodbye Luxembourg: Laura Thorn – La Poupée Monte Le Son [The doll turns up the sound] Israel: Yuval Raphael – New Day Will Rise Serbia: Princ – Mila [Sweetheart] Finland: Erika Vikman – ICH KOMME [I’m coming] The post Previewing the 2nd half of Eurovision 2025 Semi Final 2 appeared first on JOY Eurovision.

It’s election day in Australia and we’ve all enjoyed our democracy sausages. But there’s another big vote yet to come… Semi Final 2. Michael and Io get their pencils out to make notes on the first eight songs in the semi final that we have some input into. It’s a big one, but who will be going through to the Grand Final? Make sure you prepare your democracy breakfast before watching Semi Final 2 live on SBS and SBS On Demand on Friday 16 May at 5am (AEST). Will Australia be yum yum for the Europeans? What’s Imagine Dragons got to do with it? Who needs to serve face? Get involved Follow JOYEurovision across Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Bluesky and X at linktr.ee/joy_eurovision  Vote now to rank all of the songs in this half of Semi Final 2 and choose who you think will be headed to the Grand Final. Save the music to your preferred streaming platform. Not in Australia? Grab this podcast via Spotify Podcasts. Playlist Australia: Go-Jo – Milkshake Man Montenegro: Nina Žižić – Dobrodošli Ireland: EMMY – Laika Party Latvia: Tautumeitas – Bur Man Laimi Armenia: PARG – SURVIVOR Austria: JJ – Wasted Love Greece: Klavdia – Asteromáta Lithuania: Katarsis – Tavo Akys The post Previewing the 1st half of Eurovision 2025 Semi Final 2 appeared first on JOY Eurovision.