TV PREVIEW
PREVIEW: Melodifestivalen Heat 2 2026 starring Robin Bengtsson, Arwin, Brandsta City Släckers, Felicia & Laila Adèle
By Aline Mahrud
WHERE? Scandinavium, Gothenburg WHEN? Saturday 7 February 2026 WHERE TO WATCH? SVT
There are 2 returning winners to the 66th Melodifestivalen this year and the 1st is Robin Bengtsson who won MF in 2017 finishing 5th in Kyiv, Ukraine with I Can’t Go On.
- Read on for reasons including more detail about this show’s 6 acts
PREVIEW: Melodifestivalen Heat 1 2026 starring A-Teens, Greczula & Jacqline
By Aline Mahrud
WHERE? Saab Arena, Linköping WHEN? Saturday 31 January 2026 WHERE TO WATCH? SVT
A-Teens had UK hits with Upside Down and Halfway Around The World as well as 2 ABBA covers a quarter of a century ago and mark their reformation in Melodifestivalen’s 66th year.
- Read on for reasons including more detail about this opening show’s 6 acts
Q&A/TV PREVIEW: Mark Gatiss & Ben Mansfield on The Room In The Tower at the BFI
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHEN? Sunday 14 December 2025, to air at 10pm on BBC2 on Christmas Eve RUNTIME: 30 minutes
Christmas just isn’t Christmas without the now annual Mark Gatiss ghost story airing late on Christmas Eve on BBC2.
- Read on for reasons including how this Christmas tradition is just a part of festivities as It’s A Wonderful Life
PREVIEW/Q&A: Bookish starring Mark Gatiss & Polly Walker at BFI
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHEN? Monday 14 July, series drops from 16 July 2025 RUNTIME: Each of 6 episodes is 60 minutes
Gabriel Book is the name of the new detective creation by Mark Gatiss (The Motive And The Cue, National Theatre) who runs a London book shop in 1946 while not solving crime.
- Read on for reasons including how Bookish is fiendishly clever, hugely funny and tremendously moving
TV PREVIEW: 6 reasons why you should watch Lost Boys and Fairies (and why we need a 2nd series)
2 years ago we recommended Netflix’s Heartstopper and in many ways Daf James’ BBC iPlayer 3-parter is its older, more flawed yet completely relatable grown up older brother.
- Read on for reasons including Sion Daniel Young, Fra Fee and Elizabeth Berrington
PREVIEW: Melodifestivalen Heat 5 starring Marcus & Martinus & Medina
By Neil Durham
WHEN?: 7pm UK time 2 March 2024
WHERE?: Löfbergs Arena, Karlstad WHERE DO I WATCH?: SVT Play
Norwegian twins Marcus & Martinus return to Melodifestivalen at the 1st time of asking after finishing as runners up in 2023.
- Read on for reasons including Chelsea Mucco, Jay Smith, Elecktra & Annika Wickihalder
PREVIEW: Melodifestivalen Heat 4 starring Dotter & Danny Saucedo
By Neil Durham
WHEN?: 7pm UK time 24 February 2024
WHERE?: Stiga Sports Arena, Eskilstuna WHERE DO I WATCH?: SVT Play
Both this week’s returning acts – Dotter and Danny Saucedo – have come agonisingly close to winning Melodifestivalen and would be expected to advance straight to the finalen from this heat.
- Read on for reasons including Albin Tingwall, Lia Larson, Scarlet & Lasse Stefanz
PREVIEW: Melodifestivalen Heat 3 starring Cazzi Opeia & Clara Klingenström
By Neil Durham
WHEN?: 7pm UK time 17 February 2024
WHERE?: Vida Arena, Växjö WHERE DO I WATCH?: SVT Play
This heat boasts 4 MF debutants alongside the much-anticipated returns of 2 familiar names including Opeia who won 2023’s Eurovision as a co-writer of Loreen’s Tattoo.
- Read on for reasons including Jacqline, Klaudy, Gunilla Persson & Kim Cesarion
PREVIEW: Benidorm Fest 2024 starring Sofia Coll, Angy & Nebulossa
By Neil Durham
WHEN?: 1st heat Tuesday 30 January; 2nd Thursday 1 February & final Saturday 3 February 2024
WHERE?: Palau Municipal d’Esports l’Illa de Benidorm Watch on TVE
Spain missed a trick at its otherwise fantastic Eurovision selection process in 2023 by not choosing runner up Quiero Arder by Agoney which won our Best Song monsta.
- Read on for reasons including Nebulossa, Lérica, Dellacruz & Almácor
