The Eurovision Song Contest has brought in lawyers following the leak of rehearsal footage, after a "potential hack" of an online feed.
Switzerland, where the competition began in Lugano in 19 56, will host Tuesday's first semi-final of Eurovision 2025 in Basel.
The show will see the Netherlands return to the stage after its act was ejected from the competition shortly before the final last year.
When asked about the rehearsal leaks at a press briefing on Tuesday, the European Broadcasting Union’s Eurovision director, Martin Green, said: "We have to send a signal out to the juries during those shows and, amongst our different members, technology differs in how modern it is.
"And therefore, sadly, if you have the intent to do it, you can potentially hack into that … is what I understand. It’s sad that people do that.
"It also shows you what a demand there is out there for it. Every year we manage to tighten up a bit more, and we will continue to do it."
He added that they "don’t want to spoil it for everyone" and that his understanding is "we managed to take a lot of it down". He confirmed that the cybersecurity team and lawyers are "on it".
An EBU spokeswoman said: "We regret that despite our best efforts to keep the content of our shows a surprise for the millions watching around the world, it’s regrettable that some people spoil the experience by publishing dress rehearsal content online.
"Where possible, we work with platforms, EBU Members, cybersecurity experts and lawyers to remove this content to protect artists and the integrity of the live shows."
It’s unclear what was leaked, but clips from rehearsals were circulating on social media on Monday evening.
There have also been reports that Canadian singer Céline Dion sent a video message, aired during rehearsals, wishing contestants luck and appearing to rule out a return to the Eurovision stage. However, Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR dismissed the speculation, stating:
"There are currently no changes regarding Céline Dion - we are still in close contact with her."
Dion, who won the contest in Dublin in 1988 with Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi, has stepped back from public performance due to ongoing health issues related to stiff-person syndrome (SPS). She made an emotional return at the 2024 Paris Olympics, performing Édith Piaf’s classic Hymne à l’Amour from the Eiffel Tower.
There had been speculation she would return to Eurovision this year, particularly as Switzerland had not won again until Nemo’s The Code claimed victory in Malmö last year.
The Dutch are pinning their hopes on 21-year-old Claude Kiambe, whose entry C’est La Vie reflects on early musical dreams and his mother’s support.
He will compete against Swedish favourites KAJ, performing the comical Bara Bada Bastu (Just Sauna), inspired by Nordic sauna culture, and Ukraine’s Ziferblat with the dramatic Bird of Pray.
However, Malmö marketing manager Anna Wittgren has ruled out the Swedish city hosting again if KAJ win, saying: "It’s a big undertaking and we have a wide event portfolio to manage.
"We look back to 2024 with fond memories, but we are happy to let another destination now enjoy the hosting if KAJ wins - and we have plenty of learnings to share."
She insisted this was not due to the cost of policing last year’s protests, as those expenses were covered nationally.
Protests are expected throughout the week. Pro-Palestinian group Basel for Palestine has said it is planning a large demonstration on both Wednesday and Saturday. Wednesday’s protest will be a "silent march" against Israel’s participation, with singer Yuval Raphael representing the country.
On Tuesday, a Basel police spokesman said a permit application for a demonstration was still pending and "no date" had yet been confirmed. He added the force had received a report of "threatening gestures during a demonstration", apparently directed at Raphael during Sunday’s opening ceremony.
Israel’s government posted footage on X, stating: "Israel’s Eurovision representative Yuval Raphael, a Nova massacre survivor, was 'welcomed’ in Basel by a hostile crowd of pro-Hamas protesters.
"Yet she stands tall, singing for her country. Her love will always outshine their hate."
Discussions on Israel's participation have been called for by broadcasters from countries such as Spain, Ireland and Iceland but the EBU has defended Kan’s inclusion, saying that it has nothing to do with the Israeli government.
In tonight's first semi-final, Basel-born Zoë Më will perform Voyage for Switzerland. As the host nation, Switzerland is automatically through to Saturday’s grand final.
Norwegian-born artist EMMY will represent Ireland with the pop anthem Laika Party in Thursday's second semifinal.
The Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Finals take place on 13 and 15 May and will be shown live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 8pm. The Grand Final takes place on Saturday, 17 May, and will be shown live on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player from 8pm.
Source: Press Association
