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EBU considers replacing Eurovision calls and SMS with online top three voting – Межа. Новини України.

A proposal could reshape how fans support Eurovision acts, after one result reignited concerns over organized voting campaigns and political influence.
This is reported by BBC.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is considering a major overhaul of Eurovision voting rules. The proposed model would replace phone calls and SMS voting with online voting, along with a new system for choosing favourites.
Instead of being able to vote repeatedly for a single performer, viewers may be asked to select the contest’s three best participants. The EBU believes this approach would help limit the impact of coordinated campaigns on Eurovision results.
Currently, viewers can support their favourite artist up to 10 times by phone call, text message, or online vote. In a letter to broadcasters in EBU member countries, the organisation explained that the new rules are intended to make audience voting more balanced.
Politically motivated voting has become a persistent phenomenon, causing deep concern for many.
– the European Broadcasting Union said in its letter
The discussion around the transparency of audience voting intensified after Eurovision 2025. Israel’s representative, Yuval Raphael, with the song “New Day Will Rise,” finished 15th in the national jury rankings. At the same time, she received the strongest support from viewers – 297 points – allowing her to finish the contest in second place.
Some broadcasters drew attention to the activity of official social media accounts linked to the Israeli government. In particular, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s account urged people to support Yuval Raphael 20 times – the number of votes that could then be cast for a single participant.
Following this, the EBU reduced the maximum number of votes for one contestant to 10 for Eurovision 2026. Ahead of last year’s contest, Israeli broadcaster KAN also received an official warning over a participant’s video that included a call to “vote 10 times for Israel.”
The proposed reform could become one of the most significant changes to the audience voting system in recent years. The final decision on the new format will depend on further discussions between the EBU and broadcasters from participating countries.
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