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ARD Ends Raab–RTL Eurovision Partnership for 2026

Citing an unmet win goal, ARD assigns 2026 preparations to SWR.

Overview

  • Program director Christine Strobl said the 2025 tie-up was undertaken to win, and repeating it after falling short “feels not good.”
  • SWR will lead Germany’s Eurovision 2026 effort, and the search for acts is already underway.
  • ARD will not pursue a new cooperation with a private broadcaster for 2026, though future partnerships are possible under an equal-footing model.
  • Germany’s 2025 act Abor & Tynna placed 15th in Basel with 151 points, splitting 77 from juries and 74 from the televote.
  • Strobl welcomed an EBU meeting in December on Israel’s participation and said broadcaster Kan meets the union’s eligibility requirements.