ITALY: SANREMO 2026 - SECONDA SERATA

The 76th Sanremo festival continues tonight. The Newcomers will kick of the evening with two duels with the winners going to the final. The voting is the holy threesome: Press, web and tv (33%), Radio (33%) and televote (34%).

Half of the Big artists will perform again and are voted by Radio (50%) and televote (50%). Again the Top-5 will be announced in random order.

Co-hosts are Pilar Fogliati, Achille Lauro and Lillo.

Bresh will perform outside Teatro Ariston in Suzuki stage and Max Pezzali again on the cruise ship.. Apparently Eurovision veteran Fausto Leali will be present and receive a life time award.

The first night was watched by 9,6 million viewers with share of 58% compared to last year's 12,6 million so 3 million viewers were lost. The peak was 15.782.000 during the 105 year old lady's interview while the biggest share 64,5% during Leo Gassmann's performance. Laura Pausini did not sing last night but tonight this will change as she will be dueting (at least) with Achille Lauro, the Sammarinese Eurovision veteran fresh from Olympic games closing ceremony.

Personally I think the evening was somewhat boring, missing some humor and chaos even if I am a fan of Pausini's self irony. The songs were okeyish, I didn't quite hate any of them but then again I didn't quite fall in love with any of them. Some I liked, some I need to hear again. This said some new names to me very quite pleasant surprises against my initial expectations. But I'll do my ranking later. The stage and lights are nice, nothing spectacular but nice. And it was nice to see most everyone dressed well, especially ladies, and no jeans and t-shirts and such in sight really. Arisa entered the top-5. Could she win and finally get the ticket to Eurovision?

Nuove proposte co-hosted by Gianluca Gazzoli: