Greek media reports that ERT is looking at holding an expanded national selection to select its entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.
According to Greek media, the Greek broadcaster ERT is looking at holding an expanded national selection to build on increased interest in the Eurovision Song Contest. Reports state that ERT is examining holding a multi-week national selection process which would include semi-finals, building upon the one night final that selected its 2025 entry.
The aim of the selection is reportedly to transform the Eurovision Song Contest into a multi-week brand for ERT and draw in high viewing figures for the broadcaster. Participation in the Eurovision Song Contest is, according to reports, now profitable for the Greek broadcaster, with advertising revenues exceeding the costs of participation in the competition.
Greece has not held a multi-week national selection show since 2004 when the broadcaster initially used Eurostar to select the Greek entry for Istanbul. ERT would go on not to send the winner of Eurostar to the contest as the Greek representatives, instead selecting Sakis Rouvas and sending the three finalists as backing singers.
Image source: Alma Bengtsson / EBU | Source: You Weekly
Greece debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974 when they were represented by Marinella and the song “Krasi, thalassa kai t’agori mou” which finished in 11th place with 7 points. Three years later Greece earned their first top 5 finish with Paschalis, Marianna, Robert, and Bessy who finished in 5th place with “Mathima solfege”. In 2001, Greece achieved their first top 3 placing with Antique and the song “I Would Die For You”. The song became a European hit and charted across the continent. In 2005, Helena Paparizou returned to the Eurovision stage as a solo artist and brought Greece their first, and to date only, victory. Her song “My Number One” won with 230 points, beating runners-up Malta by 38 points.
