ORF moves Dancing Stars: ESC 2026 in focus!

ORF moves Dancing Stars: ESC 2026 in focus!

Basel, Schweiz - The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 has far-reaching effects on the program design of the ORF. Due to the logistical challenges and high expenses for the song contest, one of the most popular shows of the station, the "Dancing Stars", is paused. The “great chance of brass music” planned for autumn 2023 is also postponed and is only to take place after the ESC 2026. Program director Stefanie Groiss-Horowitz emphasized that it is important to implement the event at a suitable time.

The decision to suspend "Dancing Stars" in the coming year was made by ORF boss Roland Weißmann. He described this measure as inevitable. The rotation and structure of the stage for the ESC will take 40 days and requires an extensive team as well as significant financial resources that are estimated at up to 22 million euros. Despite the popularity of "Dancing Stars", the broadcast of the transmitter is on the broadcast of the ESC.

The countdown to the ESC 2026

The event takes place, as a result of JJ's victory at the ESC, in Austria in 2026. While other programs and events are merged, it is clear that no alternative event is planned for 2026. All attention should apply to the song contest, and the requirements for the organization are enormous. Wissamn's explanations in the Ö3 special "Breakfast with me" illustrated the scope of logistics and planning.

parallel to the intensive preparation process, ORF sees extensive reporting on this year's ESC, in which the Austrian participant JJ ​​competes in Basel on May 4, 2025. There is already a broad supporting program in advance that accompanies JJ's journey into TV, radio and online, with reports in formats such as "Zeit im Bild", "ZiB Magazin" and other.

comprehensive reporting and attractive formats

The transmissions for the ESC 2025 are deeply integrated into the program. Several events are planned, including the big countdown show on May 17th and the final, which takes place at 9:00 p.m. The ORF also ensures barrier-free transmission, including live subtitals and audio comment. Before and after the event, a wide range of reports by orf.at and Hitradio Ö3 is guaranteed, which is also organized on site in Basel.