Suspilne Ukraine, the Ukrainian national broadcaster, has appointed German Nemov as the Vidbir Creative Producer for the second consecutive year.
German Nemov will be serving as the Vidbir 2026 Creative Producer, this time he will be bringing about structural changes to the Ukrainian national selection format.
Nemov will be responsible for the full creative and visual content of various elements of the show, as well as for creating concepts and implementing the opening, interval acts, and some of the participants’ numbers.
German Nemov says:
This year, I am returning to the position of creative producer of the National Selection for Eurovision with a new approach to organizing work. Now I am part of the Public Broadcasting team for the period of preparation for the selection, which opens up the opportunity for real changes in the format and structure of the show.
German Nemov continues to say :
The National Selection has existed in its current form for almost 10 years – since 2016. During this time, it has gradually adapted to the realities in which we live. Previously, a creative producer or director would join the work only a month and a half before the broadcast, already with ready-made technical tasks from the production team. For such a large-scale show that the whole country watches, this was not enough for in-depth planning and structural updates.
German Nemov goes on add:
Such long-term and systematic work has repeatedly proven its effectiveness. This is how, in 2023, together with the BBC team, we implemented a successful case in Liverpool, creating the most grandiose Ukrainian Eurovision in history – a show that received a number of international awards, including the BAFTA award. In the same year, we together relaunched the National Selection for Junior Eurovision – now it is the country’s main children’s project, which lights up new little stars every year.
Our team is already working on transforming many elements of the adult National Selection show. And today we can officially announce: the show’s running time will be significantly reduced.
I have repeatedly spoken about my dream: to make the National Selection a real Ukrainian Eurovision. And I believe that step by step, even if it is difficult, with such a team and synergy at every stage, we will achieve this and this year’s National Selection will become truly unique.
The 2026 Ukrainian national final is scheduled to be held in February. The 2026 Ukrainian entry and act will be determined via a combined expert jury/ public voting deliberation.
Ukraine in Eurovision
Ukraine debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2003 with Oleksandr Ponormayov‘s Hasta la vista, and has won the competition thrice in 2004 (Ruslana), 2016 (Jamala) and 2022 (Kalush Orchestra). The country has hosted the contest twice in its majestic capital Kyiv in 2005 and 2017.
Ukraine is one of the most successful countries in the Eurovision Song Contest and has so far not missed out competing in the Grand Final. The Eastern European nation has competed in Europe’s favourite television show every year since its debut with the exception of 2015 and 2019 when the country withdrew from the competition.
The Ukrainians have made it 14 times in the top 10 of the leader board in their 20 ESC participations, including 3 victories ( 2004, 2016, 2022), 2 2nd placings (2007, 2008), 2 3rd placings (2013, 2024) 1 4th placing (2011) and a 5th placing (2021).
In 2025 Ziferblat represented Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel with their entry ‘Bird of Pray‘, achieving an honorable 9th place in the Grand Final.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DG0l8sSNJM
