Austria win Eurovision as viewers score UK zero
Remember Monday did even worse than Olly Alexander in the Eurovision final.
Austrian artist JJ has won the 69th Eurovision Song Contest with the song ‘Wasted Love’.
This is Austrian broadcaster ORF’s first win since 2014 and third overall.
The winning song, Wasted Love, secured 436 points.
In second place was Israeli broadcaster Kan’s song ‘New Day will Rise’, performed by Yuval Raphael, who took 357 points.
Third place went to Tommy Cash for Estonian broadcaster ERR, whose song ‘Espresso Macchiato’ won 356 points.
A global audience United by Music
Twenty-six countries took part in the Grand Final of the world’s largest live music event, hosted by EBU Member SRG SSR on Saturday 17 May at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland.
After the performances, juries from the 37 competing nations revealed their votes, based on the dress rehearsal held the previous evening. JJ, whose real name is Johannes Pietsch, emerged as the jury leader.
Viewers’ televotes were then combined with jury scores, building to a dramatic finale in which ‘Wasted Love’ was declared the winner.
Remember Monday picked up 88 points from judges but 0 from viewers, ranking them even worse than Olly Alexander in 2024.
The world celebrates music, connection and inclusivity
Martin Green, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, said: “Our congratulations go to ORF and to JJ, and we wish him every success as the Eurovision Song Contest provides a global springboard for his future career.”
“We’re immensely grateful to SRG SSR for their outstanding work in producing this year’s Contest and to the City of Basel and its citizens who have opened their hearts and streets to Europe and the world to create an unforgettable celebration of music and unity.”
Co-Executive Producer Moritz Stadler said: “This year’s Eurovision Song Contest was about more than just three shows – it was about creating a sense of home. Whether you were in the arena, watching from a fan zone or tuning in from across the world, we wanted everyone to feel part of something bigger. That sense of connection, of joy, of being United by Music – that’s what will stay with us long after the lights go down.”
Co-Executive Producer Reto Peritz added: “Standing backstage and seeing it all come together, the lights, the artists, the energy in the arena, was incredibly moving. As someone who has lived and breathed this Contest for years, bringing it home to Switzerland and delivering it on this scale has been an incredible experience. It’s not just about the production, it’s about the feeling we’ve created, one that will stay with people long after the show ends. That, to me, is the true impact of the Eurovision Song Contest.”
An estimated audience of more than 160 million people is expected to have watched this year’s Contest, which was broadcast live across all participating countries and online. Inside St. Jakobshalle, around 6,500 people watched the Grand Final live.