The Austrian broadcaster ORF has revealed the names of the members of the commentary panel for Vienna Calling – Wer singt für Österreich?
ORF has announced today that Caroline Athanasiadis, Elton, and Luca Hänni will be the members of a commentary panel for the Austrian selection for Eurovision 2026, Vienna Calling – Wer singt für Österreich. The members of the panel do not award any points, explains the broadcaster, but their extensive knowledge of the Eurovision Song Contest allows them to provide entertaining analysis of the performances, expert insights, fun facts, and much more.
Comedian and Smart10 presenter Caroline Athanasiadis is considered one of the biggest Eurovision Song Contest fans:
I’m really looking forward to the national final. I’ve been a huge Eurovision fan for years and always watch the other countries’ entries beforehand. That’s why I’m so curious to see what we have to offer this year. Our music scene is incredibly diverse and often underestimated. But I know we have fantastic musicians and internationally successful bands that the general public often doesn’t even know about. I’m just going to let everything unfold naturally and hope that we can send an innovative entry into the competition.
Presenter and show business star Elton not only served as the spokesperson for Germany at Eurovision 2023, but he also participated in numerous national finals in Germany. Most recently, he was part of the jury, together with Stefan Raab, Yvonne Catterfeld and Max Giesinger, who selected the acts for the German national final Chefsache ESC 2025.
It’s an incredible honor that the reigning European champions have signed me and appointed me to their staff. For me, as probably the biggest living Austria fan outside of Austria, a dream has come true. And I promise: I will contribute all my passion, all my know-how, and all my expertise so that you start your title defense mission with the best possible squad. And then I’m sure that in the end, Austria will be celebrating! A really great second place behind Germany.
Swiss singer-songwriter Luca Hänni represented Switzerland at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv with “She got me”, achieving a fourth place:
The Eurovision Song Contest holds a very special place for me – which makes me all the more delighted to be part of the commentary panel this year. I’m excited about the acts and look forward to sharing my experience.
Vienna Calling – Wer singt für Österreich?
Vienna Calling – Wer singt für Österreich? will take place on February 20 and will be broadcast live on ORF 1 and ORF ON. The show will be hosted by Alice Tumler and Cesár Sampson. A combination of jury and public voting will determine who will represent Austria on home ground in Vienna.
The Vienna Calling – Wer singt für Österreich? finalists are:
- Anna-Sophie – “Superhuman”
- Bamlak Werner – “We Are Not Just One Thing”
- Cosmó – “Tanzschein” (Dance license)
- David Kurt – “Pockets Full of Snow”
- Frevd – “Riddle”
- Julia Steen – “Julia”
- Kayla Krystin – “I brenn” (I’m burning)
- Lena Schaur – “Painted Reality”
- Nikotin – “Unsterblich” (Immortal)
- Philip Piller – “Das Leben ist Kunst” (Life is art)
- Reverend Stomp – “Mescalero Ranger”
- Sidrit Vokshi – “Wenn ich rauche” (When I smoke)
The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will be held in Vienna following the victory of JJ with “Wasted Love”. Austria won the Eurovision Song Contest for a third time, having previously won the 1966 and 2014 editions of the contest. Austria received 12 points from eight juries; Belgium, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.
Source: OE3/ORF
Austria debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1957. Bob Martin represented the country on their debut but finished in last place, scoring just 3 points. Austria has won the contest three times, the first being in 1966 when Udo Jürgens performed “Merci, Chérie”. It was 48 years later when Austria won again in 2014, when Conchita Wurst performed “Rise Like a Phoenix”, scoring a total of 290 points. Austria’s third win came in 2025, when JJ sang “Wasted Love” and scored 436 points.
