Context:

The Eurovision Song Contest returns with 37 countries participating in one of the world's largest musical events, taking place in Basel, Switzerland, following Swiss singer Nemo's victory last year. The contest features semifinals to determine 20 finalists, with the 'Big Five' nations and the host Switzerland already qualified, and will be broadcasted globally. Voting involves a combination of public votes and jury points, with viewers in participating and nonparticipating countries able to cast votes through various platforms. Controversy surrounds Israel's participation due to political tensions, leading to calls for its exclusion, similar to Russia's ban, and a tightened code of conduct by the European Broadcasting Union. Sweden is favored to win with their song 'Bara Bada Bastu,' and other strong contenders include entries from Austria, France, the Netherlands, and Israel, with past protests highlighting the intersection of politics and entertainment in the contest.

Dive Deeper:

• The Eurovision Song Contest, hosted this year in Basel, Switzerland, sees participation from 37 countries, including non-European nations like Israel and Australia. The event is a massive spectacle of music and culture, expected to draw over 160 million viewers globally.

• The competition structure includes semifinals to select 20 acts for the final, while the 'Big Five' countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the U.K.) and host Switzerland automatically qualify. Viewers can watch the event through national broadcasters, the Eurovision YouTube channel, and streaming services like Peacock in the U.S.

• Voting in Eurovision combines public votes with jury points given by music industry professionals, with the unique rule that viewers cannot vote for their own country. The 'rest of the world' votes collectively as one additional country, and winners are determined by a mix of these votes.

• Political tensions have arisen over Israel's participation, with calls for its exclusion due to its conflict with Hamas. The European Broadcasting Union emphasizes Israel's representation by a public broadcaster rather than the government, amidst broader discussions about political neutrality and the contest's inclusivity values.

• Sweden is the current favorite to win with their upbeat song 'Bara Bada Bastu,' according to betting odds, and other strong competitors include acts from Austria, France, the Netherlands, and Israel. Political protests have previously affected the contest, such as calls for bans on certain flags, reflecting the sensitivity of political issues at Eurovision.

• The Eurovision Song Contest is not only a musical competition but also a cultural phenomenon, with fans hosting themed parties and engaging in traditions such as scoring performances. Participants share personal anecdotes, highlighting the event's significance and the sense of community it fosters.

• The European Broadcasting Union has reinforced its code of conduct to maintain Eurovision's values of universality, diversity, equality, and inclusivity, restricting political expressions on stage to ensure the contest remains focused on entertainment rather than political statements.