James Stephenson presents a brand-new podcast that analyses who might win the Eurovision Song Contest in a brand-new way. With the help of The Model, James’s prediction tool for the Contest, he’ll take a look at how the race to Vienna is shaping up with weekly updates on the favourites, unique analysis of this year’s songs, and special guest appearances.

On this episode, Finland’s Eurovision 2013 artist Krista Siegfrids joins James to look at this week’s results, and ask if Finland will win its first Contest in two decades. She also tells us some of her favourite songs from this year’s show and talks about Eurovision speculation from the artist’s perspective, and how much pressure there is to perform on the world’s biggest stage. James also analyses this week’s projection from The Model, and asks why Finland isn’t further ahead.

You can listen to Inside The Model on the ESC Insight podcast now, with weekly episodes every Monday that pull you deeper into the data.

Never miss an episode of the ESC Insight podcast. Follow the show on iTunes, Spotify, or in your favourite podcast app listed here. A direct RSS feed is available.

The post Eurovision Insight Podcast… Inside The Model: Krista Siegfrids Makes Her Eurovision Prediction appeared first on ESC Insight - Home of the Unofficial Eurovision Song Contest Podcast.

James Stephenson presents a brand-new podcast that analyses who might win the Eurovision Song Contest in a brand-new way. With the help of The Model, James’s prediction tool for the Contest, he’ll take a look at how the race to Vienna is shaping up with weekly updates on the favourites, unique analysis of this year’s songs, and special guest appearances.

On this episode, James analyses the latest update, which sees Finland and ‘Liekinheitin’ rise to the top of the standings. He’ll explain the change in methodology that has created the brand-new look to The Model, how each song chasing Finland down has different musical characteristics that may help it succeed, and answers questions from ESC Insight’s Samantha Ross on what The Model does – and doesn’t – take into account in its rankings.

You can listen to Inside The Model on the ESC Insight podcast now, with weekly episodes every Monday that pull you deeper into the data.

Never miss an episode of the ESC Insight podcast. Follow the show on iTunes, Spotify, or in your favourite podcast app listed here. A direct RSS feed is available.

The post Eurovision Insight Podcast… Inside The Model: Finland Flies into First appeared first on ESC Insight - Home of the Unofficial Eurovision Song Contest Podcast.

James Stephenson presents a brand-new podcast that analyses who might win the Eurovision Song Contest in a brand-new way. With the help of The Model, James’s prediction tool for the Contest, he’ll take a look at how the race to Vienna is shaping up with weekly updates on the favourites, unique analysis of this year’s songs, and special guest appearances.

On this episode, James looks at the first forecast from The Model now that all 35 of this year’s Eurovision songs are released , and the surprise news that Felicia and ‘My System’ leads the way for Sweden. He analyses why the song’s path to Song Contest victory may be clearer than expected, what forces are changing the make-up of this Contest, and speaks to YouTuber ESC Gabe about The Model’s first prediction and his thoughts on who might win in May.

You can listen to Inside The Model on the ESC Insight podcast now, with weekly episodes every Monday that pull you deeper into the data.

Never miss an episode of the ESC Insight podcast. Follow the show on iTunes, Spotify, or in your favourite podcast app listed here. A direct RSS feed is available.

The post Eurovision Insight Podcast… Inside The Model: The Race to Eurovision 2026 Begins appeared first on ESC Insight - Home of the Unofficial Eurovision Song Contest Podcast.

“Who would win the Eurovision Song Contest if it were held today?”

That’s the question that ‘The Model’ looks to answer.  It turns opinions into data in the lead-up to the Contest, creating weekly updates on how the race to Vienna is shaping up. The tool has been more successful at predicting the Contest than betting odds, fan polls, or any other indicators.

It constantly changes, so each week we not only bring you the results but also a new companion podcast, ‘Inside The Model,’ providing weekly prediction updates, unique song analysis, and special guest appearances from the world of the Contest.

Listen to ‘Inside The Model‘ here on ESC Insight on your preferred podcast platform of choice. Follow the show on iTunes,Spotify, or in your favourite podcast app listed here. A direct RSS feed is available.

The post Eurovision Insight Podcast… Introducing ‘Inside The Model’ appeared first on ESC Insight - Home of the Unofficial Eurovision Song Contest Podcast.

The National Final season for 2026 has come to an end. While a few internal selections have yet to be announced, and remixed ‘Eurovision Edits’ will be heading to social media, the packed weekends of selection shows across the continent are no more. While some thoughts turn to Vienna in May, other thoughts turn to ‘which National Finals do I want to go to, get tickets and experience on the ground in 2027?’

Gina Jones and Charlie Eastabrook took one of the trips this year to Finland for UMK 2026 at the Nokia Arena in Tampere. Along the way, they chat with Pete & Linda, Erika Vikman, ESC Insight’s Ben Robertson, Euroviisutsomeksi’s Vilho, and JJ.

This is what happened.

Never miss an episode of the ESC Insight podcast. Follow the show on iTunes, Spotify, or in your favourite podcast app listed here. A direct RSS feed is available.

The post Eurovision Insight Podcast: Let’s All Go To UMK! appeared first on ESC Insight - Home of the Unofficial Eurovision Song Contest Podcast.

Ciao from Sanremo, this is Alloracast! James Stephenson and Dude Points are here to debrief on the Festival di Sanremo – and they’ve done it on the train to France.

On this episode, James and Dude look back at Sal Da Vinci’s unlikely fairytale triumph at the festival, analyse the rest of the Top 5 in the superfinal, go through some of their personal favourite songs and stories from the week and check in on Elettra Lamborghini’s sleep schedule before they fix their own.

Listen to the final Alloracast of Sanremo 2026 now on your preferred podcast platform of choice. Allora!

Never miss an episode of the ESC Insight podcast. Follow the show on iTunes, Spotify, or in your favourite podcast app listed here. A direct RSS feed is available.

The post Alloracast! One Last Thing from Sanremo appeared first on ESC Insight - Home of the Unofficial Eurovision Song Contest Podcast.

Ciao from Sanremo, this is Alloracast! James Stephenson and Dude Points are here with your preview for one of the most exciting nights in the Eurovision Song Contest calendar – the final of the Festival di Sanremo.

On this episode, James and Dude go through some of the best songs from this year’s competition, and outline who they think are the favourites to win the Golden Lion and the right of first refusal to be Italy’s Eurovision act. They also look back at their highlights from the week, including a review of yesterday’s Covers Night, analyse the main narratives that have developed during this week’s Sanremo shows, and take a final look at Max Pezzalli’s boating adventure.

Listen to Saturday’s Sanremo Final Preview Alloracast now on your preferred podcast platform of choice, or live every evening at 20:00 GMT on Radio Six International, with new episodes every day during the festival. Allora!

Never miss an episode of the ESC Insight podcast. Follow the show on iTunes, Spotify, or in your favourite podcast app listed here. A direct RSS feed is available.

The post Alloracast! Daily News From Sanremo, Saturday 28th February appeared first on ESC Insight - Home of the Unofficial Eurovision Song Contest Podcast.

Ciao from Sanremo, this is Alloracast! James Stephenson and Dude Points bring you all the best of Night Three of the Festival della Canzone Italiana, and look ahead to one of the most unique occasions in TV: Covers Night!

On this episode, James and Dude have another Top 5 from Thursday’s performances to analyse, as the competition begins to take real shape ahead of Saturday’s final. They’ll also ask whether the tone of Sanremo is becoming too nostalgic, how Alicia Keys made sure her Italian was on point during her guest performance, which 2000s one-hit wonder will be appearing on the Ariston tonight and what could possibly be next for Max Pezzalli as his adventures on The Boat continue.

Listen to Friday’s episode of Alloracast now on your preferred podcast platform of choice, or live every evening at 20:00 GMT on Radio Six International, with new episodes every day during the festival. Allora!

Never miss an episode of the ESC Insight podcast. Follow the show on iTunes, Spotify, or in your favourite podcast app listed here. A direct RSS feed is available.

The post Alloracast! Daily News From Sanremo, Friday 27th February appeared first on ESC Insight - Home of the Unofficial Eurovision Song Contest Podcast.

Ciao from Sanremo, this is Alloracast! James Stephenson and Dude Points are back to react to Night Two of the Festival della Canzone Italiana, and talk about how the contenders for the Golden Lion are shaping up.

On this episode, James and Dude look at last night’s Top 5 from the first batch of 15 performers, and see which songs surprised and which were surprise omissions. They’ll also look forward to tonight’s third show, where the other Sanremo contenders will perform again, along with Nicolo Fillipucci and Angelica Bove as they go head-to-head for the Newcomers prize. And there’s time to review Achille Lauro’s stunning performances in the Ariston – and Max Pezzelli’s surreal ones in The Boat.

Listen to Thursday’s episode of Alloracast now on your preferred podcast platform of choice, or live every evening at 20:00 GMT on Radio Six International, with new episodes every day during the festival. Allora!

Never miss an episode of the ESC Insight podcast. Follow the show on iTunes, Spotify, or in your favourite podcast app listed here. A direct RSS feed is available.

The post Alloracast! Daily News From Sanremo, Thursday 26th February appeared first on ESC Insight - Home of the Unofficial Eurovision Song Contest Podcast.

Ciao from Sanremo, this is Alloracast! Join ESC Insight‘s bleary-eyed James Stephenson and Dude Points as they look back at the first night of the Festival, and look ahead to tonight’s show.

On this episode, James and Dude analyse the Top 5 from the Jury of the Press, TV and Web to see who are the favourites and the surprises from night one of Sanremo. They also consider which songs may have been overlooked, ask why Sanremo spent so much time focusing on Italian pirate show Sandokan, anticipate Achille Lauro’s guest hosting shift tonight and review the first night of The Boat, as Max Pezzelli’s residency gets off to a surreal start.

Listen to Wednesday’s episode of Alloracast now on your preferred podcast platform of choice, or live every evening at 20:00 GMT on Radio Six International, with new episodes every day during the festival. Allora!

Never miss an episode of the ESC Insight podcast. Follow the show on iTunes, Spotify, or in your favourite podcast app listed here. A direct RSS feed is available.

The post Alloracast! Daily News From Sanremo, Wednesday 25th February appeared first on ESC Insight - Home of the Unofficial Eurovision Song Contest Podcast.