43 countries to be represented in Belgrade

A record number of 43 countries will be represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008, the EBU confirmed today.

Two semifinals will take place.

In each semifinal, ten participants qualify for the final: nine of them through televoting, the tenth entry is the highest ranked non-qualified entry of the back-up juries.

The following 38 countries will be represented in the two semifinals of the 53rd Eurovision Song Contest:

Albania (RTVSH),

Andorra (RTVA),

Armenia (PTV),

Azerbaijan (iTV),

Belarus (BTRC),

Belgium (VRT),

Bosnia & Herzegovina

(PBSBIH),

Bulgaria (BNT),

Croatia (HRT),

Cyprus (CBC),

Czech Republic (CT),

Denmark (DR),

Estonia (ETV),

Finland (YLE),

FYR Macedonia (MKRTV),

Georgia (GEGT),

Greece (ERT),

Hungary (MTV),

Iceland (RUV),

Ireland (RTE),

Israel (IBA),

Latvia (LT),

Lithuania (LRT),

Malta (PBS),

Moldova (TRM),

Montenegro (RTCG),

The Netherlands (NPB),

Norway (NRK),

Poland (TVP),

Portugal (RTP),

Romania (TVR),

Russia (C1R),

San Marino (STV),

Slovenia (RTVSLO),

Sweden (SVT),

Switzerland (SRG SSR idée suisse),

Turkey (TRT)

Ukraine (NTU)

These 38 countries will be drawn into two semifinals, taking place on 20th and 22nd of May in Belgrade, Serbia.

The draw to determine on which night the 38 semifinalists will perform takes place on the 28th of January in Belgrade.

The official website of the Eurovision Song Contest will web-cast the event live.

The draws for the running order of the semifinals, the final and voting order takes place in mid-March. France, Germany, Serbia, Spain and the United Kingdom are automatically qualified for the final, scheduled for the 24th of May.

source:belgovision.com

ERT announces the national final participants

In an official statement the Greek national broadcaster announced the national finalists for the Greek 2008. The participants are:

Chrispa (MINOS EMI)

Kostas Martakis (SONY BMG)

Kalomira - Maria Saranti (HEAVEN MUSIC)

source:oikotimes.com

Kostas Martakis - Oneira Megala

Kostas Martakis - Oneira Megala

Strong battle for the 4th name in Greek selection

oikotimes.com reports:

Three names are decided already by ERT for the Greek national selection scheduled for late February 2008. Among the three names there are some information saying that Chrispa (representing Minos EMI) is still considering her participation, an issue which we investigate.

The big question now is the 4th participant. Information from close to ERT sources, revealed to oikotimes that the names battling for the 4th position are Onirama Group and Annet Artani.

Read full article on oikotimes.com

Moldova: Twelve songs selected for the national final

In Moldova, a professional jury of national broadcaster TRM listened to and judged the twenty seven songs submitted for the Molodvan selections for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008.

The twelve best scoring songs will take part in the Moldovan national final in January.

Olia Tira - Always Will Be

Alexa - We Are One

Edict - I Believe

Geta Burlacu - A Century Of Love

Cristina Rujitcaia - You Make Me Feel Crazy

Catrina Pislaru - Dance With Me

Jay Mon - Point Of View

Dana Marchitan - Your Name

Galina Scoda - Your Own Vision

Scroom - Jane

Elena Dermidjean - Living Creatures

Liusia Znamensky - Don't Deceive My Heart

Anonymous with a new song : Self belief

esctoday.com reports:

Anonymous the rock band, who represented Andorra in the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest, have just released their new song, Self believe, which they dedicate to their fans and everyone who has supported them so far. The new song, with its daring lyrics, is an original means to get the managers' and the record labels' attention.

N!iki , Gallego, Cristian and Alejandro sing : "..we are young and outrageous but we know what we want!" Self belief, that is what their new song is about. The band are still in the process of finding a manager and a label to represent them and they came up with this original idea to get their message out to the music industry: " This time it's not for me, this song is for you, the Mr in the suit we just want to live off what we do, we do, and we need you!"

"Well, Self belief is a song that we would like to give out to all our fans and people who have, and are helping us get our music out and loud. We wanted to use this occasion to "try" and catch the attention of any managers or labels whom we're still seeking and that is why we chose this subject as lyrics." N!ki Francesca, the band's lead singer told esctoday.com.

You can listen to Self belief here through the band's official MySpace.

Eurovision Christmas in Finland

esctoday.com reports:

YLE has prepared a treat for all Finnish Eurovision fans for Christmas as a special 1,5 hours long special on Christmas Day with the best of the Eurovision Song Contest 2007 in Helsinki will be broadcast on two different channels in two different sound systems.

The special will feature, besides backstage atmosphere and feelings, the songs from Spain, Switzerland, Denmark, Israel, Slovenia, Andorra, Hungary, Greece, Sweden, France, United Kingdom, Iceland, Germany, Georgia, Latvia, Belarus, Finland, Bulgaria, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine and Serbia.

Also the best of the interval and opening acts will be included with Lordi, Tsuumi and Apocalyptica.

YLE2 will broadcast the special Euroviisut 2007 – Thank you for the music in stereo and YLE Extra in 5.1 surround sound on December 25 at 15.30-17.00 local time.

Moldova: Listen to the 27 submitted songs for ESC 2008

For the Moldovan preselection for the next Eurovision Song Contest, TRM have have received 27 songs that comply with the standards set by the broadcaster.

You can listen to the songs HERE.

Dima Bilan: New unexpected video of the song “Gore - Zima”

The winter, the festive mood and New year are coming.

Dima Bilan is not losing his time in vain. On that occasion he decided to make his fans a pleasant gift - the video of the song “Gore-Zima” (music and lyrics by Denis Kovalsky).

The shooting took place on the 22nd – 23rd of November in Moscow.

Dima, as the creative one, thought of the shooting with a great enthusiasm. He wrote the script of the video himself and realized it. An intricate story about relationship between a man and a woman.

The final of the story is quite unexpected for one of the personages.

Director:Georgy Toidze; Script by Dima Bilan.

You can see photos HERE

Dima Bilan in New Year’s musical “The kingdom of the distorting mirrors”

Dima Bilan took part in the filming of a New Year’s musical “The kingdom of the distorting mirrors”.

The shooting of the New Year’s fairy tale is running very actively in the pavilions of the Lenekspo trade mart in St. Petersburg.

The audience will watch the musical on December 31 on Rossia TV channel.

The musical story is based on the movie of the same name made by a soviet story-teller Alexander Row.

Though the authors of the New Year’s show step aside from the plot of the famous book. According to the plot there is a contest “Krivividenie 2008” takes place.

As the author said the New Year’s “Kingdom of the distorted mirrors” is in a way of a parody to the native show business.

Dima Bilan is having one of the leading roles – the role of Gurd.

Also there are such stars of the Russian stage as Alla Pugachieva, Philipp Kirkorov, Lolita, Kristina Orbakaite, Soso Pavliashvily, Natasha Korolieva and others will take part in it.

Watch pictures from the filming here.

The director is Alexander Igudin.

Zolotoi Grammofon Awards

Dima Bilan (Russia 2006), Serebro (2007) Dmitriy Koldun (Belarus 2007), Philip Kirkorov (Russia 1995), Angelina Agurbash (Belarus 2005) and Yulia Savicheva (Russia 2004) were awarded earlier this month with the "most popular artist of Russia" Awards at the ceremony of "Zolotoi Grammofon" held annualy by C1R.

Dima Bilan: Tak ustroen jetot mir (Zolotoi Grammofon)

sources:dimabilan.ru;esctoday.com;

video:SvetlanaLoboda's youtube channel

photo:dimabilan.ru

Images of the victory of Alexey Zhigalkovich

belgovision.com reports:

Because of the victory of Alexey Zhigalkovich at Saturday's Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam, Belarus became the very first country to win the Junior Eurovision Song Contest twice.

Belarus won the contest for the first time in 2005 with Kseniya Sitnik in Hasselt.

More pictures HERE

photo:12 Points.tv

Sarbel in the Indian press

Sarbel the latest Greek teenage sensation has made headlines in AAINA, an Indian magazine.

The Greek star is all set to conquer India and who knows Bollywood next!

There has been huge interest in the Eurovision Song Contest among Indians overseas, specially this year thanks to Sarbel.

Spanish based Indian magazine AAINA interviewed Sarbel in Finland.

Read full article on esctoday.com

Alexey Zhigalkovich wins Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2007! - VIDEO

Alexey Zhigalkovich from Belarus has won the 2007 Junior Eurovision Song Contest with his entry S druzyami.


Alexey Zhigalkovich - S Druzyami (Belarus 2007)




source:belgovision youtube channel

Belarus wins JESC 2007!

The winner of the 2007 Junior Eurovision Song Contest is Belarus.

137 pts Belarus
136 pts Armenia
120 pts Serbia
116 pts Georgia
111 pts FYR Macedonia
105 pts Russia
086 pts Bulgaria
083 pts Sweden
056 pts Ukraine054 pts
Romania039 pts Netherlands
037 pts Malta
033 pts Lithuania
029 pts Cyprus
019 pts Belgium
015 pts Portugal
014 pts Greece

CONGRATULATIONS BELARUS!

5th JUNIOR EUROVISION SONG CONTEST 2007

WEBCAST OF THE SHOW

http://www.junioreurovision.tv/addons/mediaplayer/live/juniortv/live.html

Live report by oikotimes.com in english:

http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=1731

Live report by eurovision-cyprus in greek:

http://eurovision-cyprus.ueuo.com/articles/index.php?news=626

Rehearsal opening JUNIOR EUROVISION ROTTERDAM 2007

The opening of the 2007 Junior Eurovision Song Contest, this Saturday, promises to be a great show!




source: 12points

Beliy Plaschik (White Robe) -Video with english subtitles

t.A.T.u released their new video on November 29th.

The video was made for their first single Belyi plaschik (White coat) from the up-coming album, which is expected by Christmas.

The working title of the album is Upravlenie otbrosami (The waste management).

You can vote for the video on MTV Russia Channel by clicking here.

Beliy Plaschik - White Robe

source: t.A.T.u.'s MySpace page;
video english subtitles: christina1m

Tomorrow: Rotterdam calling!

Tuesday morning, JuniorEurovision.tv will start its live coverage from Rotterdam, the Netherlands!

The 17 participants have arrived in Rotterdam. Most of them by plane, while the Belgian delegation came by train.

The JuniorEurovision.tv team is also gathering in Rotterdam. So, what can you expect from JuniorEurovision.tv between Tuesday and Saturday?

A daily video news update on JuniorTV online

Short backstage videos on JuniorEurovision YouTube channel

Quick quotes from the 17 participants

Interviews with the people behind the scenes
Pictures from the rehearsals

All about UNICEF

source:JuniorEurovision.tv

Lordi Reveal "Dark Floors" Trailer

Dark Floors - The Lordi Motion Picture will be premiered in Finland February 8th 2008.

The Finnish Eurovision Song Contest winner Lordi will perform the theme song and star in new €4 million horror movie for Finnish producer Markus Selin of Solar Films .

credit

related:New Zealand's church protest Lordi perfomance

New Zealand's Church groups protest Lordi performance

Jenny Ling of Stuff.co.nz reports:

A crusade is looming as church groups prepare to take on heavy metal heavyweights poised to play in Wellington over Easter.

Wellington pentecostal church Lifepoint says the lineup of bands - including former bat-biter Ozzy Osbourne and Kiss - are "not appropriate" and will have "negative influences" on the city during the two-day Rock2Wgtn festival on March 22 and 23.

"It's not appropriate from our angle of things," said pastor Karen Crawshaw.

The condemnation follows confirmation that another hellish rock act, Finnish heavy metal band Lordi, has been booked to appear at the Wellington event.

The band, whose five members dress in elaborate costumes as monsters and demons, won the Eurovision song contest last year.

The winning song, Hard Rock Hallelujah, includes the lyrics "I got horns on my head, my fangs are sharp and my eyes are red" - and prompted Finland's religious leaders to warn that the band could inspire devil worship.

Read full article HERE

JESC 2007:60 dancers will perform live

On Saturday, 8th of December, 60 dancers from dance academy Lucia Marthas will perform live on the 625 square meter stage.

The 60 dancers, all children, already spent a lot of time rehearsing over the past weeks.

"We are working hard on the choreography with a lot of umbrellas! We even created a special stage element that creates rain. Tha act amtches well with the theme of the show, Make A Big Spash", Lucia Marthas said.

source:junioreurovision.

Surprise submission entry by Sony BMG Hellas to ERT

oikotimes.com reports:

Sony BGM Hellas seems to prepare asurprise entry to ERT for the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest representation.

According to secure information a female artist known for been popular in the Athens night music halls with huge success in her live appearances there, is preparing an oriental ethnic entry, in dance rhythm.

ERT is expecting the entry to be submitted by early or mid December. Sony BMG Hellas officially is not confirming the news but oikotimes.com will have a clear information and name revelation by next Tuesday.

One thing is for sure, the name revelation will cause a somewhat mini earthquake in the Greek media and press.

There is no decision yet whether officially ERT is heading towards national or internal selection.

D'NASH prepare Christmas and New Year's show!

esctoday.com reports:

December will be a busy month for the boys as they release their latest album and hence will start promoting it. Spanish fans and viewers will be treated to many appearances by the Spanish boyband during the Christmas and New Year's season both on national and regional Spanish television channels. Below you can find the schedule of the shows and channels D'NASH will be appearing in.

9th December - Mister and Miss Navarra Gala - Canal 9

12th December- La Banda - Canal Sur ( Sevilla)

13th December- Red Cross Gala - Tele Ideal ( Granada)

22nd December - Noche Sensacional - Canal 9- Tele Extramadura - TV Castilla La Mancha

24th December - Christmas Eve Special - Canal Sur

24th December- Christmas Eve Special - TV-7 Murcia

31st December- New Year's Special Gala - TVE 1

31st December- New Year Gala - TV-7 Murcia