Ben Robertson
@bensvision.bsky.social
Writing for ESC Insight about the Eurovision Song Contest.
Previous roles with OGAE Sweden, OGAE International and Bet Eurovision.
Previous roles with OGAE Sweden, OGAE International and Bet Eurovision.
Part 2 of our look at Israel’s place in Eurovision, reflecting on the outcomes for the Song Contest if Israel stays, or goes.
Either way, the result is going to get ugly.
Either way, the result is going to get ugly.
Why is the EBU having to vote on Israel's KAN entering the Eurovision Song Contest? What would happen if they are excluded, and what would happen if they are included? @bensvision.bsky.social explores two likely versions of our future. escinsight.com/2025/10/02/e...
No Matter November's Eurovision Vote, It's Going To Get Ugly
Discussing the Eurovision vote to exclude KAN and Israel from Eurovision 2026, illustrated byKobi Marimi, Israel 2019 (photo: esc.tv)
escinsight.com
October 2, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Part 2 of our look at Israel’s place in Eurovision, reflecting on the outcomes for the Song Contest if Israel stays, or goes.
Either way, the result is going to get ugly.
Either way, the result is going to get ugly.
Grateful to do some research on a difficult topic:
"The reality is that every other field will be watching the EBU with interest to see whether the Contest maintains its inclusion of Israel or takes the unprecedented step of exclusion. That makes the EBU’s decision for 2026 a defining one."
"The reality is that every other field will be watching the EBU with interest to see whether the Contest maintains its inclusion of Israel or takes the unprecedented step of exclusion. That makes the EBU’s decision for 2026 a defining one."
The Eurovision Song Contest is currently deciding on the inclusion or exclusion of Israel via its public service broadcaster KAN. How are other global organisations working in the arts, sports, or on the political stage, addressing the same issue? Here's what we found. escinsight.com/2025/09/24/h...
How Global Organisations Deal With Israeli Inclusion
The Eurovision Song Contest trophy, illustrating an article on the inclusion or exclusion of Israel from international events (photo: EBU/esc.tv)
escinsight.com
September 24, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Grateful to do some research on a difficult topic:
"The reality is that every other field will be watching the EBU with interest to see whether the Contest maintains its inclusion of Israel or takes the unprecedented step of exclusion. That makes the EBU’s decision for 2026 a defining one."
"The reality is that every other field will be watching the EBU with interest to see whether the Contest maintains its inclusion of Israel or takes the unprecedented step of exclusion. That makes the EBU’s decision for 2026 a defining one."
Some big number crunching from me here, but the main conclusion is this:
Why oh why is Eurovision voting more opaque than many of the public broadcasters they represent?
Any discussions about voting can't just be about the methodology, but also about the transparency.
Why oh why is Eurovision voting more opaque than many of the public broadcasters they represent?
Any discussions about voting can't just be about the methodology, but also about the transparency.
How many individual votes were cast at Eurovision 2025? @bensvision.bsky.social takes the limited data we have to estimate each song's total televote. The top five is Israel, Poland, Albania, Sweden and Greece. The winning margin may be higher than you might expect. escinsight.com/2025/06/02/h...
How Many Votes Did Each Song Receive In The Televote?
Lucio Corsi from Italy performed Volevo Essere Un Duro in the Grand Final of Eurovision 2025 in Basel, Switzerland (Photo: Corinne Cumming/EBU)
escinsight.com
June 2, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Some big number crunching from me here, but the main conclusion is this:
Why oh why is Eurovision voting more opaque than many of the public broadcasters they represent?
Any discussions about voting can't just be about the methodology, but also about the transparency.
Why oh why is Eurovision voting more opaque than many of the public broadcasters they represent?
Any discussions about voting can't just be about the methodology, but also about the transparency.
The #eurovision Audience Poll from Vörå
1st, Sweden, 990 votes
2nd, Finland, 10 votes
3rd all others
(Obviously fake)
1st, Sweden, 990 votes
2nd, Finland, 10 votes
3rd all others
(Obviously fake)
May 17, 2025 at 9:51 PM
The #eurovision Audience Poll from Vörå
1st, Sweden, 990 votes
2nd, Finland, 10 votes
3rd all others
(Obviously fake)
1st, Sweden, 990 votes
2nd, Finland, 10 votes
3rd all others
(Obviously fake)
HUGE reaction to ICH KOMME in Vörå #eurovision
May 17, 2025 at 8:20 PM
HUGE reaction to ICH KOMME in Vörå #eurovision
We have never seen a regional song succeed to this scale at #Eurovision before, like Sweden's entry this year.
But we have in the fictional universe.
KAJ's journey is the same as Lars and Sigrit.
And Bara Bada Bastu is their Husavik.
escinsight.com/2025/05/17/t...
But we have in the fictional universe.
KAJ's journey is the same as Lars and Sigrit.
And Bara Bada Bastu is their Husavik.
escinsight.com/2025/05/17/t...
The Eurovision Fairytale: Vörå's Excitement For KAJ on Grand Final Day
From the pastures of rural Finland to the Eurovision Grand Final, KAJ's journey has brought a whole community together. From their hometown of Vörå, Ben Robertson reports on the love, pride, and commu...
escinsight.com
May 17, 2025 at 3:54 PM
We have never seen a regional song succeed to this scale at #Eurovision before, like Sweden's entry this year.
But we have in the fictional universe.
KAJ's journey is the same as Lars and Sigrit.
And Bara Bada Bastu is their Husavik.
escinsight.com/2025/05/17/t...
But we have in the fictional universe.
KAJ's journey is the same as Lars and Sigrit.
And Bara Bada Bastu is their Husavik.
escinsight.com/2025/05/17/t...
Now on the organised KAJ tour that goes around Vörå district
May 16, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Now on the organised KAJ tour that goes around Vörå district
Reposted by Ben Robertson
The Grand Final is the final act of the Eurovision 2025 season. We now know who sings first and last on Saturday's marathon. @bensvision.bsky.social examines the pace and narrative of the Grand Final, as well as picking winners and losers from the 26. escinsight.com/2025/05/16/t...
The Eurovision 2025 Grand Final Running Order Analysis
Erika Vikman, Finland 2025 (photo: Alma Bengtsson)
escinsight.com
May 16, 2025 at 8:31 AM
The Grand Final is the final act of the Eurovision 2025 season. We now know who sings first and last on Saturday's marathon. @bensvision.bsky.social examines the pace and narrative of the Grand Final, as well as picking winners and losers from the 26. escinsight.com/2025/05/16/t...
The big one is out
My Grand Final Running Order analysis for #Eurovision 2025
escinsight.com/2025/05/16/t...
My Grand Final Running Order analysis for #Eurovision 2025
escinsight.com/2025/05/16/t...
The Eurovision 2025 Grand Final Running Order Analysis
Erika Vikman, Finland 2025 (photo: Alma Bengtsson)
escinsight.com
May 16, 2025 at 8:37 AM
The big one is out
My Grand Final Running Order analysis for #Eurovision 2025
escinsight.com/2025/05/16/t...
My Grand Final Running Order analysis for #Eurovision 2025
escinsight.com/2025/05/16/t...
We have arrived in KAJland
May 15, 2025 at 1:10 PM
We have arrived in KAJland
Our welcome at Vaasa Airport
May 15, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Our welcome at Vaasa Airport
Forget Eurovision, we are en route to Vöråvision!
Next stop Vaasa!
Next stop Vaasa!
May 15, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Forget Eurovision, we are en route to Vöråvision!
Next stop Vaasa!
Next stop Vaasa!
Reposted by Ben Robertson
After 1,850 votes, here are the results of the Audience Poll for Semi-Final 2! Thanks to @12pointsusa.bsky.social, @escxtra.bsky.social, @thateurosite.bsky.social, @eurovoix.bsky.social, and @vdan.design for their collaboration and efforts! See you Friday for the Grand Final Poll! #Eurovision
May 14, 2025 at 10:45 PM
After 1,850 votes, here are the results of the Audience Poll for Semi-Final 2! Thanks to @12pointsusa.bsky.social, @escxtra.bsky.social, @thateurosite.bsky.social, @eurovoix.bsky.social, and @vdan.design for their collaboration and efforts! See you Friday for the Grand Final Poll! #Eurovision
Reposted by Ben Robertson
📊 Tonight, we asked the audience who their favourite was from the Evening Preview of Semi-Final 2 of #Eurovision 2025.
The Audience Poll was conducted by That Eurovision Site, @12pointsusa.bsky.social A, @escxtra.bsky.social , @escinsight.com, @eurovoix.bsky.social and @vdan.design
The Audience Poll was conducted by That Eurovision Site, @12pointsusa.bsky.social A, @escxtra.bsky.social , @escinsight.com, @eurovoix.bsky.social and @vdan.design
May 14, 2025 at 10:45 PM
📊 Tonight, we asked the audience who their favourite was from the Evening Preview of Semi-Final 2 of #Eurovision 2025.
The Audience Poll was conducted by That Eurovision Site, @12pointsusa.bsky.social A, @escxtra.bsky.social , @escinsight.com, @eurovoix.bsky.social and @vdan.design
The Audience Poll was conducted by That Eurovision Site, @12pointsusa.bsky.social A, @escxtra.bsky.social , @escinsight.com, @eurovoix.bsky.social and @vdan.design
Reposted by Ben Robertson
1,850 attendees voted in this year's Semi 2 audience poll, and it was a photo finish! Thanks to our friends at @escinsight.com @thateurosite.bsky.social @escxtra.bsky.social @eurovoix.bsky.social @dudepoints.fun @vdan.design for helping make this happen! #Eurovision
May 14, 2025 at 10:45 PM
1,850 attendees voted in this year's Semi 2 audience poll, and it was a photo finish! Thanks to our friends at @escinsight.com @thateurosite.bsky.social @escxtra.bsky.social @eurovoix.bsky.social @dudepoints.fun @vdan.design for helping make this happen! #Eurovision
Reposted by Ben Robertson
🗳️ The results of the #Eurovision Audience Poll 2025 Semi-Final 2 are here!
After the evening preview, we collaborated with @escinsight.com, @12pointsusa.bsky.social, @dudepoints.fun @eurovoix.bsky.social & @thateurosite.bsky.social to get the first reactions of those leaving St. Jakobshalle!
After the evening preview, we collaborated with @escinsight.com, @12pointsusa.bsky.social, @dudepoints.fun @eurovoix.bsky.social & @thateurosite.bsky.social to get the first reactions of those leaving St. Jakobshalle!
May 14, 2025 at 10:47 PM
🗳️ The results of the #Eurovision Audience Poll 2025 Semi-Final 2 are here!
After the evening preview, we collaborated with @escinsight.com, @12pointsusa.bsky.social, @dudepoints.fun @eurovoix.bsky.social & @thateurosite.bsky.social to get the first reactions of those leaving St. Jakobshalle!
After the evening preview, we collaborated with @escinsight.com, @12pointsusa.bsky.social, @dudepoints.fun @eurovoix.bsky.social & @thateurosite.bsky.social to get the first reactions of those leaving St. Jakobshalle!
Long queues at the polling stations tonight, expecting the Audience Poll later than it was two days ago, aiming for 00:45 CEST
May 14, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Long queues at the polling stations tonight, expecting the Audience Poll later than it was two days ago, aiming for 00:45 CEST
Tonight’s Audience Poll Dream Team! Don’t leave #eurovision tonight without giving them a vote for your favourite!
May 14, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Tonight’s Audience Poll Dream Team! Don’t leave #eurovision tonight without giving them a vote for your favourite!
As we are obsessing about Instagram likes and YouTube views, here's evidence suggesting jurors change opinion more on songs from SF1 than SF2, and that they change their opinions more in modern #eurovision than a decade ago.
May 14, 2025 at 11:41 AM
As we are obsessing about Instagram likes and YouTube views, here's evidence suggesting jurors change opinion more on songs from SF1 than SF2, and that they change their opinions more in modern #eurovision than a decade ago.
Klockan slår, nu ere dags
Grab your flags and sausage snacks!
Lenkki for dinner tonight in homage to our great representatives from Österbotten
Grab your flags and sausage snacks!
Lenkki for dinner tonight in homage to our great representatives from Österbotten
May 13, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Klockan slår, nu ere dags
Grab your flags and sausage snacks!
Lenkki for dinner tonight in homage to our great representatives from Österbotten
Grab your flags and sausage snacks!
Lenkki for dinner tonight in homage to our great representatives from Österbotten
Reposted by Ben Robertson
Ben Robertson delves into how KAJ’s Eurovision performance resonates within its hometown Vörå, exploring its impact on regional identity, cultural visibility, and the community’s vision for the future. escinsight.com/2025/05/13/h...
How KAJ's Participation In Basel Impacts Back Home
Kaj, Sweden 2025 (Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU)
escinsight.com
May 13, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Ben Robertson delves into how KAJ’s Eurovision performance resonates within its hometown Vörå, exploring its impact on regional identity, cultural visibility, and the community’s vision for the future. escinsight.com/2025/05/13/h...
Reposted by Ben Robertson
Over 1,600 attendees voted in this year's first semifinal exit poll, and here are the results! Proud to be a part of this alongside our friends @escinsight.com @thateurosite.bsky.social @escxtra.bsky.social @eurovoix.bsky.social @eurotrippodcast.com @vdan.design #Eurovision
May 12, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Over 1,600 attendees voted in this year's first semifinal exit poll, and here are the results! Proud to be a part of this alongside our friends @escinsight.com @thateurosite.bsky.social @escxtra.bsky.social @eurovoix.bsky.social @eurotrippodcast.com @vdan.design #Eurovision
Reposted by Ben Robertson
🗳️ The results of the #Eurovision Audience Poll 2025 Semi-Final 1 are here!
After the evening preview, we collaborated with @escinsight.com , @12pointsusa.bsky.social , @eurovoix.bsky.social & @thateurosite.bsky.social to get the first reactions of those leaving St. Jakobshalle!
After the evening preview, we collaborated with @escinsight.com , @12pointsusa.bsky.social , @eurovoix.bsky.social & @thateurosite.bsky.social to get the first reactions of those leaving St. Jakobshalle!
May 12, 2025 at 10:37 PM
🗳️ The results of the #Eurovision Audience Poll 2025 Semi-Final 1 are here!
After the evening preview, we collaborated with @escinsight.com , @12pointsusa.bsky.social , @eurovoix.bsky.social & @thateurosite.bsky.social to get the first reactions of those leaving St. Jakobshalle!
After the evening preview, we collaborated with @escinsight.com , @12pointsusa.bsky.social , @eurovoix.bsky.social & @thateurosite.bsky.social to get the first reactions of those leaving St. Jakobshalle!
Reposted by Ben Robertson
After 1,642 votes, here are the results of the Audience Poll for Semi-Final 1! Thanks to @12pointsusa.bsky.social, @escxtra.bsky.social, @thateurosite.bsky.social, @eurovoix.bsky.social, and @vdan.design for their collaboration and efforts! See you in Semi-Final 2? #Eurovision
May 12, 2025 at 10:35 PM
After 1,642 votes, here are the results of the Audience Poll for Semi-Final 1! Thanks to @12pointsusa.bsky.social, @escxtra.bsky.social, @thateurosite.bsky.social, @eurovoix.bsky.social, and @vdan.design for their collaboration and efforts! See you in Semi-Final 2? #Eurovision
The #eurovision Audience Poll for SF1 will be published at 00:35 CEST
Check out ESC Insight, Eurovoix, 12 Points From America, That Eurovision Site and ESCXtra on socials for the results!
Check out ESC Insight, Eurovoix, 12 Points From America, That Eurovision Site and ESCXtra on socials for the results!
May 12, 2025 at 10:29 PM
The #eurovision Audience Poll for SF1 will be published at 00:35 CEST
Check out ESC Insight, Eurovoix, 12 Points From America, That Eurovision Site and ESCXtra on socials for the results!
Check out ESC Insight, Eurovoix, 12 Points From America, That Eurovision Site and ESCXtra on socials for the results!