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The Eurovision Song Contest 2019 will be the 64th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. The contest is scheduled to take place in Tel Aviv, Israel, following Israel's victory at the 2018 contest in Lisbon, Portugal, with the song "Toy", performed by Netta. The contest will be held at Expo Tel Aviv, the city's convention centre; the show will consist of two semi-finals on 14 and 16 May, and the final on 18 May 2019.

Forty-one countries will take part in the contest, with and  absent, both for the first time since.

Location
The 2019 contest will take place in Israel for the third time, after 1979 and 1999, following the country's victory at the 2018 edition with the song "Toy", performed by Netta Barzilai.

Venue
The contest will take place at Expo Tel Aviv's 7,300-seat congress and convention centre called "Bitan 2" (Pavilion 2), which was inaugurated in January 2015. Located on Rokach Boulevard in northern Tel Aviv, the convention centre serves as a venue for many different events, including concerts, exhibitions, trade fairs, and conferences. The fairground has ten halls and pavilions, plus a large outdoor space. The new pavilion hosted the 2018 European Judo Championships from 26–28 April.

Bidding phase and host city selection
After Israel's victory in Lisbon, Portugal, Netta Barzilai and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the 2019 contest would be held in Jerusalem, but this was yet to be confirmed by the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (IPBC/KAN) and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Israeli finance minister Moshe Kahlon also stated in an interview that the event would be solely held in Jerusalem and estimated its cost at 120 million Israeli shekels (approximately €29 million). The mayor of Jerusalem, Nir Barkat, mentioned Jerusalem Arena and Teddy Stadium as possible venues to host the event. The municipality of Jerusalem had also confirmed that the contest would not be held at the International Convention Centre, which hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 1979 and 1999, due to its insufficient capacity.

On 18 June 2018, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that Israel had committed to remaining in compliance with EBU rules regarding the constitution of member broadcasters, so as not to affect its hosting of Eurovision. The IPBC's establishment included a condition that news programming would later be delegated to a second public broadcasting entity, which violates EBU rules requiring member broadcasters to have their own internal news departments.

On 19 June 2018, Israel was officially confirmed as the host country, and on 24 June 2018, KAN formally opened the bidding process for cities interested in hosting the 2019 contest. On 28 July 2018, Israeli Minister Michael Oren, who is closely connected to Prime Minister Netanyahu, stated that Jerusalem did not have the resources to host the contest, restating the common talking point that Tel Aviv was the more likely host. Soon afterwards, reports surfaced of the government not providing the €12 million downpayment requested by KAN to cover hosting expenses and security, but a compromise was reached on 29 July 2018.

Following a tense back-and-forth between KAN and the government, a compromise between the two parties was reached that would see KAN paying the €12 million to the EBU and the Finance Ministry covering expenses should complications arise. The Mayor of Tel Aviv announced that the city would be willing to pay for the Convention Center itself, should it be chosen as the host city.

In the week of 27 August 2018, executive supervisor/scrutineer Jon Ola Sand led a handful of EBU delegates around Israel to scope out the potential venues in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and to hear the bid from Eilat. On 30 August 2018, Sand stated in an interview with KAN that Eilat was no longer in the running to host, leaving it between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. He also stated that there was no serious discussion among members of the EBU about boycotting the event.

On 13 September 2018, the EBU announced Tel Aviv as the host city, with Expo Tel Aviv as the selected venue for the 2019 contest.

Key:

Host venue Shortlisted

Other sites
The Eurovision Village will be the official Eurovision Song Contest fan and sponsors area during the events week, where it will be possible to watch performances by local artists, as well as the live shows broadcast from the main venue. It will be located at the Charles Clore Park in Tel Aviv.

The "Red Carpet" event and the Opening Ceremony, where all the contestants and their delegations are presented before the accredited press and fans, are expected to take place at Habima Square in central Tel Aviv on 12 May 2019 at 19:00 IDT.

Visual design
The slogan for the contest, Dare to Dream, was unveiled on 28 October 2018. Its visual design was revealed on 8 January 2019 which features logo consisting of triangles forming a golden star. Along with the main version, there are two more alternative versions of the logo. The logo, brand and theme was created by Studio Adam Feinberg.

Presenters
On 25 January 2019, KAN announced that four presenters will host the three shows: TV hosts Erez Tal (who was also one of the Israeli commentators for the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 grand final) and Assi Azar who work for the Israeli Channel 12, supermodel Bar Refaeli, and KAN host Lucy Ayoub, who was also the Israeli spokesperson at the 2018 contest. Tal and Refaeli will be the main hosts, while Azar and Ayoub would be hosting the green room.

Semi-final allocation draw
The draw to determine the allocation of the participating countries into their respective semi-finals took place on 28 January 2019 at 17:00 CET, at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. The thirty-six semi-finalists had been allocated into six pots, based on historical voting patterns as calculated by the contest's official televoting partner Digame. Drawing from different pots helps to reduce the chance of so-called neighbourly voting and increases suspense in the semi-finals. The draw also determined the semi-final that each of the six automatic finalist countries (host country Israel and Big Five countries, , , , and the ) will broadcast and vote in. The ceremony was hosted by contest presenters Assi Azar and Lucy Ayoub, and included the passing of a Eurovision insignia from the city of Lisbon (host city of the previous contest) to the city of Tel Aviv.

Participating countries
The EBU announced on 7 November 2018 that forty-two countries would participate in the contest, with absent due to financial reasons.

On 27 February 2019, announced its withdrawal from the contest, due to controversy around their national selection. This reduced the number of participating countries to 41.

Returning artists
The contest will feature five representatives who previously performed as lead vocalists for the same countries. Two of these returning artists participated in – Sergey Lazarev represented  with the song "You Are the Only One", winning the first semi-final and placing 3rd in the final, while Serhat represented  with the song "I Didn't Know", which placed 12th in the first semi-final. Joci Pápai represented for the first time in  with the song "Origo", placing 8th in the final. Tamara Todevska represented now named North Macedonia in, alongside Vrčak & Adrian, with the song "Let Me Love You",  placing 10th in the second semi-final. She was also a backing vocalist in and  for Toše Proeski and Tijana Dapčević, respectively. Nevena Božović represented in  as part of Moje 3, with the song "Ljubav je svuda", which placed 11th in the first semi-final. She also represented the country in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2007 with the song "Piši mi", which placed 3rd.

In addition, the contest will feature artists returning as first-time lead singers for their country – Jurijus Veklenko provided backing vocals for Lithuania's representatives in and  – or as backing vocalists after representing another country – Sahlene, the  in, will return as a backing vocalist for the. She also provided backing vocals in for her native country,, and in  for.

Semi-final 1
The first semi-final will take place on 14 May 2019 at 22:00 IDT (21:00 CEST). Seventeen countries will participate in the first semi-final. Those countries plus, and  will vote in this semi-final. was originally allocated to participate in the second half of the semi-final, but withdrew from the contest due to controversy about its national selection.

Semi-final 2
The second semi-final will take place on 16 May 2019 at 22:00 IDT (21:00 CEST). Eighteen countries will participate in the second semi-final. Those countries plus ,, and the will vote in this semi-final. Switzerland was pre-drawn into this semi-final due to scheduling issues.

Final
The final will take place on 18 May 2019 at 22:00 IDT (21:00 CEST). Twenty-six countries will participate in the final, with all 41 participating countries eligible to vote.

Other countries
Eligibility for potential participation in the Eurovision Song Contest requires a national broadcaster with active EBU membership that will be able to broadcast the contest via the Eurovision network. The EBU issued an invitation of participation in the contest to all fifty-six active members. The Israeli Minister of Communications Ayoob Kara has also invited countries from the Middle Eastern and North African region, with which Israel largely has tense relationships or no diplomatic relations. Kara pointed out Tunisia and the Gulf states Saudi Arabia as well as Dubai and Abu Dhabi as part of the United Arab Emirates. Tunisia is eligible to participate but has not due to rules banning the promotion of Israeli content, while the Gulf states do not have national broadcasters with EBU membership.

Active EBU members

 * – Despite being absent for 10 years, local media reported that Ràdio i Televisió d'Andorra (RTVA) was still interested in returning to the contest, but the principality's failure to make the final along with the cost was discouraging the broadcaster from participating. In order for a return to take place, RTVA would need funding from the Andorran Government. On 19 May 2018, Andorra confirmed that they would not return in 2019.
 * – On 25 May 2018, the Bosnian broadcaster, Radio and Television of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHRT), stated that the country would not be allowed to return to the contest in 2019 until debt-related sanctions placed on them by the EBU are lifted. Bosnia and Herzegovina last took part in.
 * – Despite confirming their preliminary participation in the 2019 contest, Bulgarian National Television (BNT) announced on 13 October 2018 that many members of the delegations were moving onto other projects, and on 15 October 2018, BNT announced that they would withdraw from the contest in 2019 due to financial difficulties.
 * – On 21 July 2018, the Luxembourgish broadcaster RTL Télé Lëtzebuerg (RTL) announced that they would not return to the contest in 2019. Luxembourg last took part in.
 * – On 17 August 2018, the Monégasque broadcaster Télé Monte Carlo (TMC) announced that they would not return to the contest in 2019. Monaco last took part in.
 * – On 31 May 2018, the Slovak broadcaster Rozhlas a televízia Slovenska (RTVS) announced that the country would not return to the contest in 2019 due to financial difficulties. Slovakia last took part in.
 * – After the Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım had stated in an interview that Turkey had no plans to return to the contest, on 4 August 2018 İbrahim Eren, the General Manager of Türkiye Radyo Televizyon Kurumu (TRT), said that at the moment the broadcaster was not considering returning to the contest for various reasons, including Conchita Wurst's victory for Austria in . Turkey last took part in.
 * – On 27 February 2019, UA:PBC announced the withdrawal of the country in the contest, due to controversy surrounding their national selection. However, the channel will still broadcast the show.

Associate EBU members

 * – On 22 December 2017, it was claimed that Channel 31 had finalised negotiations with the EBU, allowing Kazakhstan to debut in 2019; however, on 23 December 2017, the EBU told Esctoday that "Channel 31 Kazakhstan has indeed expressed interest in becoming a member of the EBU and hence participate in the Eurovision Song Contest. However, since Channel 31 is outside the European Broadcasting Area and is also not a member of the Council of Europe, it is not eligible to become an active member of the EBU". On 25 July 2018, it was announced that Kazakhstan will participate in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2018, thus making a debut in 2019 possible. On 30 July 2018, the EBU stated that the decision to invite Kazakhstan was made solely by the Junior Eurovision reference group, and there were no current plans to invite associate members other than  Australia. On 22 November 2018, Jon Ola Sand said in a press conference that "we need to discuss if we can invite our associate member Kazakhstan to take part in adult ESC in the future, but this is part of a broader discussion in the EBU and I hope we can get back to you on this issue later." However, he later clarified that Kazakhstan would not have an entry in the 2019 edition.

Non-EBU members

 * – According to EBU guidelines, Kosovo's participation in 2018 would have been possible due to Portugal recognising Kosovo as a state. Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK) decided not to participate, however still broadcast the contest in 2018. Israel does not recognise Kosovo, but both states foster good relations. RTK general director Mentor Shala said that they are still pushing for full membership, and still hope to debut at the 2019 contest. They are currently still in talks with the EBU. The EBU will vote on full membership of the Kosovar broadcaster in June 2019, possibly allowing the country to debut in 2020, or in the near future after that.
 * – On 4 November 2017, 1 Fürstentum Liechtenstein Television (1 FL TV), the national broadcaster of the Principality of Liechtenstein, confirmed that the country were planning a debut in the 2019 contest, and that they were currently in the process of applying for EBU membership and are "in [the] process of complying all requirements". They also reiterated their intention to select the participant through a national selection process in the form of Liechtenstein Music Contest "open to any form of music". However, on 20 July 2018, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) stated that 1 FL TV had not applied for EBU membership. On 26 July 2018, 1 FL TV confirmed that Liechtenstein will not debut at the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 due to the sudden death of the broadcaster's director, Peter Kölbel.

Spokespersons
The spokespersons announce the 12-point score from their respective country's national jury.
 * – Emma Wortelboer

Commentators
Most countries will send commentators to Tel Aviv or comment from their own country, in order to add insight to the participants and, if necessary, the provision of voting information.
 * – French: Maureen Louys and Jean-Louis Lahaye (La Une, all shows)
 * – Evridiki and Tasos Trifonos (RIK 1, RIK Sat, RIK HD and Trito Programma, all shows)
 * – Finnish: Mikko Silvennoinen (Yle TV2, all shows)
 * – Peter Urban (Das Erste, final)
 * – Giorgos Kapoutzidis and Maria Kozakou (ERT1, ERT HD, ERT World, ERA 1, Voice of Greece, all shows)
 * – Bogi Dallos and Freddie (Duna, all shows)
 * – Federico Russo and Ema Stokholma (Rai 4, semi-finals); Federico Russo (Rai 1, final); Ema Stokholma and Gino Castaldo (Rai Radio 2, final)
 * – Lia Fiorio and Gigi Restivo (San Marino RTV and Radio San Marino, all shows)

Non-participating countries

 * – TBA (Omni Television, all shows)

Religious requests
On 14 May 2018, Yaakov Litzman, leader of the ultra-Orthodox party United Torah Judaism and Israel's former Minister of Health, drafted a letter to the Ministers of Tourism, Communications, and Culture and Sports, in which he requested that the event not violate religious laws: "In the name of hundreds of thousands of Jewish citizens from all the populations and communities for whom Shabbat observance is close to their hearts, I appeal to you, already at this early stage, before production and all the other details of the event has begun, to be strict [in ensuring] that this matter does not harm the holiness of Shabbat and to work in every way to prevent the desecration of Shabbat, God forbid, as the law and the status quo requires". According to Jewish religious law, Shabbat—the holy sabbath—is observed from just before sunset on Friday evening until Saturday night. The Saturday evening broadcast of the show, which will start at 22:00 local time, will not conflict with this. However, the Friday evening jury show and Saturday afternoon rehearsals would. Similar protests arose in the lead-up to the 1999 Israeli-held competition, but then there were fewer competing teams allowing for certain adjustments to be made to accommodate the issue. The Chairman of the EBU's Eurovision committee, Dr. Frank-Dieter Freiling, noted that he was well aware of the tension, and has plans to address it in his communications with the Israeli broadcaster. Shalva Band, who will perform as the interval act during the second semi-final, withdrew from Israel's national final citing similar concerns on possibly performing during Shabbat in the rehearsals for the final, should they have won.

Calls for boycott
Due to the contest being held in Israel, and initially there being the potential for Jerusalem to host, many proponents of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement called on their national broadcasters to boycott the competition. This included members of the Australian Greens party, Sinn Féin, the Irish Alternative, Sweden's Left Party and many entertainers including 1994 contest winner Charlie McGettigan. Icelandic broadcaster RÚV met to discuss a boycott in response to a petition of 23,000 signatures, but ultimately neither RÚV nor any other broadcaster withdrew from the contest in response to boycott calls.

Several national selections were disrupted by BDS supporters calling for a boycott in the lead-up to the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest. This included the second-semi final of France's Destination Eurovision, which was invaded by stage intruders who held up signs advocating a boycott; and selection events in Spain, Germany, and Denmark were all targeted by protesters outside the venues calling for a boycott. The European Broadcasting Union later sent special letter to all participating broadcasters advising precautions that they could take to prevent similar disruptions.

Ukrainian late withdrawal
During the final of the national selection, it was announced that the broadcaster had reserved the right to change the decision made by the jury and Ukrainian public. Following Maruv's win, it was reported that the broadcaster had sent her management a contract, requiring Maruv to cancel all upcoming appearances and performances in Russia in order to become the Ukrainian representative. She was also given 48 hours to sign the contract or be replaced. The day afterwards, Maruv revealed that the broadcaster's contract had additionally banned her from improvising on stage and communicating with any journalist without the permission of the broadcaster, and required her to fully comply with any requests from the broadcaster. Later, the broadcaster published a statement explaining every entry of the contract. If she were to not follow any of these clauses, she would be fined ₴2 million. Maruv also stated that the broadcaster would not give her any financial compensation for the competition and would not pay for the trip to Tel Aviv.

On 25 February 2019, both Maruv and the broadcaster confirmed that she would not represent Ukraine in Israel due to disputes within the contract, and that another act would be chosen. National final runner-up Freedom Jazz announced on 26 February 2019 that they had rejected the broadcaster's offer to represent Ukraine as well, with third place finisher Kazka confirming they had rejected the offer as well the following day.

The incident garnered media coverage from major international outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Billboard, The Telegraph, The Independent, SBS News, The Irish Independent, Le Figaro, Cosmopolitan, and ABC.

On 27 February 2019, it was announced that Ukraine will not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019.

Ticket sales controversy
The prices of the tickets for this year’s event sparked criticism, both in Israel and abroad, with The Times of Israel calling it "likely the most expensive ever for Eurovision". Reasons attributed to the high prices are the high cost of living in Israel and that the Israeli government is not funding this year's Eurovision production, and although the venue can hold up to 10,000 people, only 7,300 seats are available due to the size of the stage, the technical equipment and the security features. Of those 7,300 seats, 3,000 have been reserved for the EBU, leaving only 4,300 for the fans.

On 3 March 2019, ticket sales froze due to irregularities noticed by the Oversight Committee of the Israeli broadcaster KAN. Hebrew-language Israeli media reported tickets being illegally resold for 2.5 times the original price. Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan has instructed an investigation.

On 14 March 2019, tickets went back on sale. According to KAN, 220 improperly-purchased tickets to the Final live show were revoked and will be available again on the second round of ticket sales.

Polish music video controversy
The sign of the Cross has been removed from the music video of the Polish group Tulia. This caused a wave of widespread nationwide indignation, art censorship charges, and allegations of Christian discrimination. The authorities of the public Polish Television, including general director Jacek Kurski, called for the record company to restore the original version of the music video. The song promotes an English-language clip Fire of Love that is almost identical to the Polish version Pali się. However, three seconds of film are missing. These seconds are a frame in which the artists pass the wayside cross. Management of Tulia explains that according to art. 2 of the EBU regulations "it is prohibited the promotion of any political institutions and symbols". In opposition to this statement, a figure of St John of Nepomuk is still visible in the background in the 31st-second clip. The accusation of failure to meet the Eurovision conditions is undermined because the cross is not a political symbol, and the decision to remove it has been made with the thought that it is dangerous and politically incorrect. In addition, on 13 March 2019, the group declared on the official Facebook site "that the editing was not performed by the team personally". Universal Music Polska stated the removal of the cross from the music video results only from the interpretation of the Eurovision Competition rules and the adaptation of the duration of the music video to the Eurovision version of the song.