Millions of music fans around the world are tuning into the finals of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest today.
Israeli pop star Noa Kirel is competing with 25 other contestants from 25 different countries. The 22-year-old qualified for the final on TK Date by performing her song, “Unicorn.”
Audiences in the United States can tune in live by signing up for NBC’s streaming platform Peacock (link). Prices start at $4.99 per month and can be canceled at any time.
The show, broadcast live from the Liverpool Arena in the United Kingdom, begins at 12:00 p.m. Pacific time (3:00 p.m. Eastern time).
Today marks the end of the 67th annual Eurovision competition. Though not located in continental Europe, Israel has participated since 1973. Australia is another Eurovision non-European participant country and has done so since 2015.
Israel’s performer has won the Eurovision competition four times:
1978: Izhar Cohen and the Alphabeta, “A-Ba-Ni-Bi”
1979: Milk and Honey, “Hallelujah”
1998: Dana International, “Diva”
2018: Netta, “Toy”
Traditionally, the winner of the previous year’s country gets to host the following year. In 2022, Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra won with their song “Stefania.” However, due to the ongoing war, last year’s runner up country, the United Kingdom, was tapped to host. Ukraine’s flag, however appears in the 2023 Eurovision logo, inside of a heart.
The last time Israel hosted Eurovision was in 2019, with the finale at Expo Tel Aviv.
Noa Kirel stands a chance to become Israel’s fifth winner, with many of her over 2 million Instagram followers ready to cast their vote.
To cast a vote for the Eurovision Grand Finals, go to https://eurovision.tv/about/voting and download the Eurovision app or visit this link.
