Douze Points

Last week, on Thursday 4 December, EBU members met for the organisation’s scheduled General Assembly.
At this meeting, Spanish broadcaster RTVE, along with seven other countries, called for a secret ballot on Israel’s participation, passing the threshold of five members required for the vote to take place.
However, the EBU chose to tie this vote to its proposed new rules for the contest, creating a false dichotomy: accept the new rules with no vote on participation, or reject the rules and carry out a vote on participation.
This put broadcasters in an unfairly difficult position, as they could only hold a vote on Israel if they had already rejected the new rules, and they had no guarantee a motion on Israel’s removal would pass, meaning a very real risk that they could reject the new rules and Israel stay in the contest, meaning that we’d be doomed to repeat the exact same scenario in 2026 as we’ve faced in the last two years.
As a result, the new rules were approved and an Israeli delegation will be going to Vienna in 2026.
It has since become apparent that this result was inevitable, as Roland Weißman, director-general of Austrian broadcaster ORF, went to Israel to assure president Isaac Herzog that he would do everything he could to keep Israel in the contest.
And according to Israeli online newspaper Ynet, there was a months-long lobbying campaign carried out behind the scenes involving Herzog and many government advisors to secure Israel’s continued presence in the contest - the contest that we keep being told is staunchly apolitical.
The team here at Douze Points are saddened and disappointed by the EBU’s handling of Israel’s participation, and we believe their actions have brought the contest into disrepute.
The EBU has acted in bad faith throughout: refusing to take action after Israel’s manipulation of the televote in 2024, and then when it happened again in 2025, continuing to insist that the result was valid and legitimate.
When finally forced into taking action by their members’ protests, they promised a vote on Israel’s participation in November of this year, only to cancel it and retable it for the General Assembly a month later, then disingenuously framing the vote in such a way as to stifle discussion.
I have said before that I do not believe the proposed rule changes go far enough to prevent further attempts to manipulate the televote, nor do they hold Israel to account in any way for their attempts to fraudulently engineer a win in the last two contests.
The original intent of the Eurovision Song Contest was the promotion of harmony and unity across a recently war-torn continent, celebrating the human desire to stand together and create music together even in our darkest moments.
Unfortunately, the contest is now choosing to protect the interests of a country that is engaging in genocide: instead of championing the best aspects of humanity, it is encouraging the worst. By turning a blind eye to the horrific war crimes being carried out by Israel, the contest is complicit.
But we don’t have to be.
Following the meeting, the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland and Slovenia all followed through on their promise to boycott the 2026 contest if Israel was participating.
We stand with them.
And that means, following this episode, Douze Points is taking an indefinite hiatus.
Unless the EBU changes course, there will be no more episodes from us, because we simply cannot cover the contest the way we would like to without being morally compromised.
Ultimately this was an easy decision to make, but it’s also been a hard decision: this is not the ending I envisaged for this podcast, and I wish it didn’t have to happen like this. I’ve loved creating this podcast, researching the history of the show, getting guests on who love the contest as much as I do to share their thoughts, reactions and...

In nearly seventy years of the Eurovision Song Contest, no country has ever won by performing second. Coincidence?
This week, Steven crunches the numbers to find out, and the results might surprise even the nerdiest of Eurovision fans!
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Mentioned in this episode:
Serteb Erener - ‘Everyway That I Can’ (Turkey, 2003): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0_QrKnqd5E
Marie N - ‘I Wanna’ (Latvia, 2002): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_M-w89U8TEU
Kathy Kirby - ‘I Belong’ (United Kingdom, 1965): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeDI52bdntQ
France Gall - ‘Poupée de cire, poupée de son’ (Luxembourg, 1965): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyFnDf8PvmU
Sebnem Paker and Grup Etnic - ‘Dinle’ (Turkey, 1997): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5J6-bCMz3Y
Jessica Garlick - ‘Come Back’ (United Kingdom, 2002): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8tokc1B_E0
Sahlene - ‘Runaway’ (Estonia, 2002): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tky7vWXSZrs
alyona alyona and Jerry Heil - ‘Teresa & Maria’ (Ukraine, 2024): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4N82wPpdg8
Dino Merlin - ‘Love in Rewind’ (Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2011): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBg3coarF_8
Teach-In - ‘Ding-A-Dong’ (Netherlands, 1975): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPxuq4uQ0OU
Brotherhood of Man - ‘Save Your Kisses For Me’ (United Kingdom, 1976): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yJUi6ke71I
Herreys - ‘Diggi-Loo, Diggi-Ley’ (Sweden, 1984): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySOCalwr6Yo
Laura Thorn - ‘La poupée monte le son’ (Luxembourg, 2025): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT7ZZBCscUg
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If you love Eurovision as much as we do, don't forget to connect with us on social. DM us on Twitter at @Bingewatch_Pod and join our Facebook Page.
You can also now support the show with a generous Douze Points of your own!
Discover your next favourite restaurant with NeoTaste, the exclusive membership unlocking huge discounts at hundreds of restaurants. Get 2 MONTHS FREE on us! Simply use the code BINGE at checkout. Sign up here: https://douze-points-a-eurovision-podcast.captivate.fm/neotaste
If you want more bingeworthy TV coverage, check out our other shows:

This week, Steven is joined by the wonderful Dude Points - https://dudepoints.fun/ - to break down one of the biggest letdowns in Eurovision history... The American Song Contest of 2022.
What was it?
Why did it happen?
And why didn't it work?
Join us and find out.
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If you love Eurovision as much as we do, don't forget to connect with us on social. DM us on Twitter at @Bingewatch_Pod and join our Facebook Page.
You can also now support the show with a generous Douze Points of your own!
Discover your next favourite restaurant with NeoTaste, the exclusive membership unlocking huge discounts at hundreds of restaurants. Get 2 MONTHS FREE on us! Simply use the code BINGE at checkout. Sign up here: https://douze-points-a-eurovision-podcast.captivate.fm/neotaste
If you want more bingeworthy TV coverage, check out our other shows:
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Douze Points is a Podcasts By Liam production, presented by Steven Perkins and produced by Liam Heffernan. Original theme composed by Ian MacEwan. The Bingewatch network was created by Hannah Fernando and Ian MacEwan. For any queries, including advertising & sponsorship, please email [email protected]

If 1956 was the Eurovision first started, then 1957 is the year it really started to figure out what it was, says Steven, as he deep dives into the the 2nd Annual Eurovision Song Contest.
It was a year when precedents were set, when rules were tested, and when the scoreboard was just Dave the Intern changing numbers on the big board, nervously sweating because he said he passed it at school but he actually preferred drama, and now he's doing quick maths live to the whole of Europe.
Spoiler alert: Dave smashed it.
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Theodor Andrei - ‘D.G.T. (Off And On)’ (Romania, 2023): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bf3iPXU1RYU
Intelligent Music Project - ‘Intention’ (Bulgaria, 2022): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwZTI5AoTg4
Poli Genova - ‘If Love Was A Crime’ (Bulgaria, 2016): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQqUTigWKHY
Kristian Kostov - ‘Beautiful Mess’ (Bulgaria, 2017): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMmm-G078LM
Lys Assia - ‘Refrain’ (Switzerland, 1956): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HKSP_HQ5hk
Lena - ‘Satellite’ (Germany, 2010): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pL9vdpSvnY
Lena - ‘Taken By A Stranger’ (Germany, 2011): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqZprvpWlcE
Bobbejaan Schoepen - ‘Straatdeuntje’ (Belgium, 1957): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mu8ueVHTb9k
Danièle Dupré - ‘Tant de peine’ (Luxembourg, 1957): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1qmQ9pfnPs
Patricia Bredin - ‘All’ (United Kingdom, 1957): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGHNEpTNcXU
Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät - ‘Aina mun pitää’ (Finland, 2015): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4Y0HOPL5GU
Nunzio Gallo - ‘Corde della mia chitarra’ (Italy, 1957): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ofli5AZpq4
Bob Martin - ‘Wohin, kleines Pony?’ (Austria, 1957): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mETWk_nB1Q
Corry Brokken - ‘Net also toen’ (Netherlands, 1957): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWUOHzMjTZw
Margot Hielscher - ‘Telefon, Telefon’ (Germany, 1957): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoDpE2LtoZA
Paule Desjardins - ‘La belle amour’ (France, 1957): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2-XDnBHEbc
Birthe Wilke and Gustav Winckler - ‘Skibet skal sejle i nat’ (Denmark, 1957):

Austria has a unique record at Eurovision - being the only country to receive null points but never finish last. Want to know how? Listen to part two of our history of Austria at the Eurovision Song Contest, taking you from 1992 to the present day.
And if you haven't already, listen to part one here: https://pod.fo/e/337a64
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Mentioned in this episode:
Sanna Nielsen - ‘Undo’ (Sweden, 2014): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PQJI-3LW-8
Anita Simoncini and Michele Perniola - ‘Chain of Lights’ (San Marino, 2015): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FE1KJYNvVAE
Nicole - ‘Ein bißchen Frieden’ (Germany, 1982): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hp_b-095yPc
Tony Wegas - ‘Zusammen geh’n’ (Austria, 1992): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yj2Cl7I0mHE
Linda Martin - ‘Why Me?’ (Ireland, 1992): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKd50924Qxs
Tony Wegas - ‘Maria Magdalena’ (Austria, 1993): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcbrElK_tok
Petra Frey - ‘Für den Frieden der Welt’ (Austria, 1994): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nhb_HDPZYag
Stella Jones - ‘Die Welt dreht sich verkehrt’ (Austria, 1995): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF767lgekEU
George Nussbaumer - ‘Weil’s dr guat got’ (Austria, 1996): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnTcTRKzFxA
Bettina Soriat - ‘One Step’ (Austria, 1997): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpPOoZzKOcQ
Bobbie Singer - ‘Reflection’ (Austria, 1999): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7-2edBlVoE
The Rounder Girls - ‘All To You’ (Austria, 2000): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A61Vn6l8crg
Manuel Ortega - ‘Say A Word’ (Austria, 2002): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raLn9d5MNHw
Alf Poier - ‘Weil der Mensch zählt’ (Austria, 2003): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojDYHGnKSGM
Tie Break - ‘Du bist’ (Austria, 2004): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KXWrVtNFiE
Global.Kryner - ‘Y así’ (Austria, 2005): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwglpNlPrZU
Eric Papilaya - ‘Get A Life - Get Alive’ (Austria, 2007): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knKvqSwKiPo
Nadine Beiler - ‘The Secret Is Love’ (Austria, 2011):