Ben Robertson

In an era dominated by spreadsheets, streaming data, and betting markets, Bulgaria’s historic victory shattered the rulebook. @bensvision.bsky.social explains how DARA and her creative team transformed an overlooked mid-table entry into a record-breaking Eurovision champion in just four days.

Thanks to the votes of over 3,600 fans, AUSTRALIA is the winner of the #Eurovision grand audience poll! As always, many thanks to: @escinsight.com @escgabe.com @thateurosite.bsky.social @escxtra.bsky.social @vdan.design n.design for your hard work! #Eurovision

The Audience Poll returns tonight! Here are the stats you need to remember to understand the bias properly?

A statistical journey into my losing bet from last year’s Song Contest. And with that, I wonder if Eurovision voters nowadays vote more tactically than ever before.

Vienna is hosting a big Eurovision experience Here is what they want all of you to know about the city before, and after, you visit for the Song Contest

Our latest pod is out now, considering the jury contenders. open.spotify.com/episode/1b3s... with @bensvision.bsky.social who kindly joins us from @escinsight.com

The big question from this study is…. Which song is this year’s Soldi?

With Austria drawing out its Eurovision running order spot, our hosts will sing last. It's time to drop this random draw, argues @bensvision.bsky.social and have the host country automatically awarded the final slot in the running order for the good of the Contest. escinsight.com/2026/03/18/t...

What a line up to be alongside ”Along the way, they chat with Pete & Linda, Erika Vikman, ESC Insight’s Ben Robertson, Euroviisutsomeksi’s Vilho, and JJ”

While Finland's Pete Parkkonen and Linda Lampenius celebrated victory with 'Liekinheitin', the fireworks in the Nokia Arena couldn’t mask the tension simmering outside. Ben Robertson reports from Tampere on a #Eurovision National Final caught between musical celebration and international protest.

What sets UMK, Finland’s selection show for Eurovision, apart from the others is the quality of its staging concepts, argues @bensvision.bsky.social. Here, he speaks with Show Producer Matti Myllyaho to learn how Yle finds each act, the quality-over-quantity approach, and how it all comes together.

Time for my favourite part of the #melfest season, revealing what all the sponsors are doing and giving away as we go around the six week tour!

Bookmark this article for when you see his performance tonight…and you don’t understand

Watching the #melfest rehearsal now, final ten minutes are on. Artists no longer on stage and remain in the green room and no recap repeated. Still awkward interviews with each act, but time reduced to about 3 or 4 minutes. Better, but zero entertainment or climax to the show.

The new voting system at MelFest means a new way of presenting the votes, and many of the artists are not in favour of the highly visible way in which tension is being pulled out of them. @bensvision.bsky.social goes into more depth on the impact of the changes. escinsight.com/2026/01/30/m...

This has to change And has to change at the next rehearsal For the good of entertainment And for the good of the artists

Full article after the rehearsal, but these are #melfest heat voting rules: 🥇Most votes in first round 🥈Most points in age group voting after two voting rounds 3rd-6th places are decided by age group voting position. Finalkval spot goes to song from 3rd to 6th with most total votes

Instinct after first rehearsal at #melfest 1. Greczula 2. A*Teens 3. Indra 4. Jacqline 5/6 noll2/Junior Lerin

Junior Lerin #melfest rehearsal Starts alone on stage and is joined by four dancers with one dancer on the catwalk ”playing” the steel drums. Junior ends on the catwalk and will get the party going there in the middle of the arena. Song objectively awful and Junior quite out of key mind you

Jacqline #melfest rehearsal Legs. Lots of legs. Jacqline has great legs and gets to show them off at every opportunity. Prop on stage well used as a sort of bed/lounger for extra sultry seductiveness. Dancers in typical SJB formations Harmonies sound fine in arena.

A*Teens #melfest rehearsal Huge Shady Lady prop on steroids and it looks big budget on camera. A*Teens stay in boxes until the 2nd chorus and then break to front of stage, before 20 seconds of awkward audience shots as they climb their platforms. Executed well if lacking that je ne sais quoi

Indra #melfest rehearsal Starts on platform at front of stage with side lights reminding of Hold Me Closer. Colours change to deep orange for 2nd verse as Indra walks to main stage and is fully oximated by dry ice. BIG lights on key change and strong impact on ending. Needs camera tweaks but good

Noll2 #melfest rehearsal Two onstage throughout, mainly separated as green side and orange side standing on their boxes, singing to each other but also to camera. Lyrics on screen in same colours, perhaps a bit too childish? Despite the obvious fiddle melody, no one plays instruments.

Greczula #melfest rehearsal Clear 80s-esque motivs as the song slowly builds from quiet to this Queen/ABBA hybrid. Effective lights that come from ceiling all the way down, giving Cesar Sampson effect. Gimmick lift at end of catwalk for finish.

Home #melfest First rehearsals in 10 minutes

Next stop: Iconic Linköping Nu kör vi! #melfest