Eurovision Song Contest 2006#Final

File:Athens Olympic Indoor Hall - exterior.jpg{{Snd}}host venue of the 2006 contest]]

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The contest took place in Athens, Greece, following the country's victory at the 2005 edition. It was the first time Greece hosted the contest.{{cite web|url=http://esctoday.com/4618/winners_press_conference-2/|title=Winners press conference|website=EscToday|first=Gordon|last=Roxburgh|date=May 22, 2005|access-date=20 November 2020|archive-date=29 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129044138/http://esctoday.com/4618/winners_press_conference-2/|url-status=live}}

The venue that was chosen as the host venue was the Olympic Indoor Hall, which is located in the Athens Olympic Sports Complex, in the capital city of Greece. Completed in 1995, it was the largest indoor venue used at the 2004 Summer Olympics when hosted gymnastics and the basketball finals and the 2004 Summer Paralympics when hosted the wheelchair basketball.{{cite web|url=http://esctoday.com/4780/athens_2006_olympic_indoor_arena_to_host/|title=Athens 2006: Olympic Indoor Arena to host|website=EscToday|first=Sietse|last=Bakker|date=10 July 2005|access-date=20 November 2020|archive-date=29 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129045642/http://esctoday.com/4780/athens_2006_olympic_indoor_arena_to_host/|url-status=live}}

{{location map+ |Greece |float=right|width=250 |caption=Locations of the candidate cities: the chosen host city is marked in blue, while the eliminated cities are marked in red. |places=

{{location map~ |Greece |lat=40.736851 |long=22.920227 |label=Thessaloniki|mark=Red pog.svg|marksize=7|position=bottom }}

{{location map~ |Greece |lat=37.983810 |long=23.727539 |label=Athens|mark=Blue pog.svg|marksize=7 }}

{{location map~ |Greece |lat=38.246639 |long=21.734573 |label=Patras|mark=Red pog.svg|marksize=7|position=left }}

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When Greece won the 2005 contest, the Head of the Greek Delegation, Fotini Yiannoulatou, said that the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT) was ready to host the event in Athens the next year. However, multiple cities bid to host the 2006 contest, including Thessaloniki and Patras, the second and the third largest city in Greece, respectively. The majors of the three cities (Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras) were said that their cities were ready to host the event. The venues that were rumored for each city were: the Olympic Indoor Hall for Athens, Pylea Sports Hall for Thessaloniki and Dimitris Tofalos Arena for Patras.{{cite web|url=http://esctoday.com/4636/2006_eurovision_song_contest_in_athens/|title=2006 Eurovision Song Contest in Athens?|website=EscToday|first=Theo|last=Vatmanidis|date=May 25, 2005|access-date=18 November 2020|archive-date=8 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808165224/http://esctoday.com/4636/2006_eurovision_song_contest_in_athens/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.in.gr/2005/05/25/culture/athina-kai-thessaloniki-erizoyn-gia-ti-diorganwsi-tis-eurovision|title=Athens-Thessaloniki dispute for the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 hosting|language=el|website=in.gr|date=May 25, 2005|access-date=18 November 2020|archive-date=23 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123013354/https://www.in.gr/2005/05/25/culture/athina-kai-thessaloniki-erizoyn-gia-ti-diorganwsi-tis-eurovision/|url-status=live}}

A few days after Greece's win, the Greek public broadcaster stated that "ERT intends to hold the Eurovision Song Contest in Athens, taking into account EBU's already expressed wish for the event to be combined with the Olympic facilities and amenities that the city of Athens has to offer". Mr. Panaghiotis Psomiadis, the Prefect of Thessaloniki stated the city will fight for the hosting of the contest. As the city of Patras seemed not to be available to host the contest, at the end it was a two-horse race between Athens and Thessaloniki.

Finally, on June 30, 2005, ERT and European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced that Athens will be the host city of the 2006 contest, despite the opposition of some Greek politicians, stated that Athens already had its promotion during the 2004 Summer Olympics and that it's "another city's turn now". The joint decision of the EBU and ERT is to host the 51st Eurovision Song Contest in Athens, which has several modern Olympic venues, infrastructure and a proven ability to host events of this size.{{cite web|url=http://esctoday.com/4734/athens_officially_selected_as_2006_host_city/|title=Athens officially selected as 2006 host city|website=EscToday|first=Sietse|last=Bakker|date=30 June 2005|access-date=20 November 2020|archive-date=8 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708110201/http://esctoday.com/4734/athens_officially_selected_as_2006_host_city/|url-status=live}}

The Eurovision Village was the official Eurovision Song Contest fan and sponsors' area during the events week. There it was possible to watch performances by local artists, as well as the live shows broadcast from the main venue. Located at the Zappeion, it was open from 15 to 21 May 2006.{{cite web|url=http://mylittleworld.nfshost.com/edb/2006/index.htm|title=2006 Eurovision Song Contest, 18th/20th May, Athens, Greece|first=Geoff|last=Harrison|access-date=20 November 2020|archive-date=24 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524162310/http://mylittleworld.nfshost.com/edb/2006/index.htm|url-status=live}}

The EuroClub was the venue for the official after-parties and private performances by contest participants. Unlike the Eurovision Village, access to the EuroClub was restricted to accredited fans, delegates, and press. It was located at Athens Technopolis, an industrial museum and a major cultural venue of the city.{{cite web|url=http://esctoday.com/6014/upd-_athens_2006_wheres_the_party/|title=UPD Athens 2006: where's the party?|website=ESCToday|first=Sietse|last=Bakker|date=May 3, 2006|access-date=20 November 2020|archive-date=17 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517131830/https://esctoday.com/6014/upd-_athens_2006_wheres_the_party/|url-status=live}}

The official "Welcome and Opening Ceremonies" events, where the contestants and their delegations are presented before the accredited press and fans, took place also in Zappeion on 15 May 2006 at 21:00 EET, followed by the Opening Ceremony.

{{further|List of countries in the Eurovision Song Contest}}

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{{ESC 2006 participants}}

All participating broadcaters in the Eurovision Song Contest must be active members of the EBU. On 16 January 2006, the EBU announced that the broadcasters from thirty-eight countries would participate in the 2006 contest,{{cite web|title=38 COUNTRIES IN ATHENS|url=http://esctoday.com/5396/38_countries_in_athens/|website=EscToday|date=January 16, 2006|first=Sietse|last=Bakker|access-date=8 December 2020|archive-date=28 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128093454/http://esctoday.com/5396/38_countries_in_athens|url-status=live}} with the broadcaster from Austria opting not to participate due to the bad result at the previous contest,{{cite web|title=Austria withdraws from 2006 Eurovision Song Contest|url=http://esctoday.com/4715/austria_withdraws_from_2006_eurovision_song_contest/|publisher=ESCToday|first=Roel|last=Philipps|access-date=June 18, 2005|archive-date=24 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524202608/http://esctoday.com/4715/austria_withdraws_from_2006_eurovision_song_contest|url-status=live}} and the one from Hungary also deciding not to participate due to financial reasons.{{cite web|title=UPD Hungary withdraws for Athens 2006|url=http://esctoday.com/5246/upd-_hungary_withdraws_for_athens_2006/|publisher=ESCToday|first=Sietse|last=Bakker|access-date=December 12, 2005|archive-date=9 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009034313/http://www.esctoday.com/5246/upd-_hungary_withdraws_for_athens_2006|url-status=live}} Armenia participated for the very first time in the history of the contest.{{cite web|title=Athens 2006: Armenia|url=http://esctoday.com/5856/athens_2006_armenia/|publisher=ESCToday|first=Sietse|last=Bakker|access-date=April 3, 2006|archive-date=27 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627091105/http://esctoday.com/5856/athens_2006_armenia/|url-status=live}}

On 15 March 2006, the participating broadcaster from {{Esccnty|Serbia and Montenegro}} announced its withdrawal, reducing the participants number from 38 to 37 and leaving a vacancy in the final; however, the country retained its rights to vote in the contest.{{cite web|title=Official withdrawal Serbia & Montenegro inevitable|url=http://esctoday.com/5768/official_withdrawal_serbia__montenegro_inevitable/|publisher=ESCToday|first=Sietse|last=Bakker|access-date=March 15, 2006}}

Several of the performing artists had previously competed as lead artists representing the same country in past editions: Carola had represented {{esccnty|Sweden|y=1983|t=Sweden in 1983}} and she won the contest {{esccnty|Sweden|y=1991|t=in 1991}}; Eddie Butler had represented {{esccnty|Israel|y=1999|t=Israel in 1999}} as member of Eden; Fabrizio Faniello had represented {{esccnty|Malta|y=2001|t=Malta in 2001}}; Ich Troje had represented {{esccnty|Poland|y=2003|t=Poland in 2003}}; Victor Diawara, member of LT United, had represented {{esccnty|Lithuania|y=2001|t=Lithuania in 2001}} as member of Skamp; and Anna Vissi in addition to having represented {{esccnty|Greece|y=1980|t=Greece in 1980}} with the Epikouri, had represented {{esccnty|Cyprus|y=1982|t=Cyprus in 1982}}. Sigríður Beinteinsdóttir, who had represented {{esccnty|Iceland|y=1990|t=Iceland in 1990}} as member of Stjórnin, {{esccnty|Iceland|y=1992|t=in 1992}} as member of Heart 2 Heart, and {{esccnty|Iceland|y=1994|t=in 1994}}, provided backing vocals for Iceland.

Additionally, Hari Mata Hari were selected to represent {{esccnty|Bosnia and Herzegovina|y=1999|t=Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1999}}, but their entry was disqualified; Ireland's Brian Kennedy performed in Lumen, the interval act of the {{escyr|1995||1995 contest}}; host Sakis Rouvas had represented {{esccnty|Greece|y=2004|t=Greece in 2004}}; and if No Name had been permitted to represent {{esccnty|Serbia and Montenegro|y=2006}}, they would have done so for the second consecutive year.

Active EBU member broadcasters in {{Esccnty|Austria}}, the {{Esccnty|Czech Republic}}, {{Esccnty|Georgia}}, and {{Esccnty|Hungary}} confirmed non-participation prior to the announcement of the participants list by the EBU.{{cite web |title=Abschied vom Song Contest |url=https://kurier.at/kultur/ |website=kurier.at |publisher=Kurier |access-date=23 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050619000235/http://kurier.at:80/kultur/ |archive-date=19 June 2005 |date=19 June 2005}}{{cite web |last1=Philips |first1=Roel |title=Austria withdraws from 2006 Eurovision Song Contest |url=http://esctoday.com/4715/austria_withdraws_from_2006_eurovision_song_contest |website=ESCToday |access-date=23 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213092709/http://esctoday.com/4715/austria_withdraws_from_2006_eurovision_song_contest/ |archive-date=13 February 2020 |date=18 June 2005 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Bakker |first1=Sietse |title='No Czech Republic in Athens' |url=http://esctoday.com/5052/no_czech_republic_in_athens |website=ESCToday |access-date=23 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211141421/http://esctoday.com/5052/no_czech_republic_in_athens/ |archive-date=11 December 2019 |date=7 October 2005 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Bakker |first1=Sietse |title='Georgia won't subscribe for Athens 2006' |url=http://esctoday.com/5046/georgia_wont_subscribe_for_athens_2006/ |website=ESCToday |access-date=23 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410112845/http://esctoday.com/5046/georgia_wont_subscribe_for_athens_2006/ |archive-date=10 April 2019 |date=5 October 2005 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Bakker |first1=Sietse |title=Hungary withdraws for Athens 2006 |url=http://esctoday.com/5246/upd-_hungary_withdraws_for_athens_2006/ |website=ESCToday |access-date=23 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009034313/http://www.esctoday.com/5246/upd-_hungary_withdraws_for_athens_2006 |archive-date=9 October 2016 |url-status=live}} {{Esccnty|Serbia and Montenegro}} withdrew from the contest due to a scandal in the selection process, which caused tensions between the Serbian and Montenegrin broadcasters (RTS and RTCG).

The official logo of the contest remained the same from 2004 and 2005 with the country's flag in the heart being changed. The 2006 sub-logo was presented to the public through a press conference that was held on 1 November 2005, at the King George Hotel in Athens, while it was created by the design company Karamela for ERT and was apparently based on the Phaistos Disc which is a popular symbol of ancient Greece.{{cite web|url=https://esctoday.com/5142/ert_to_present_logo_and_international_partners/|title=ERT to present logo and international partners|website=EscToday|first=Sietse|last=Bakker|date=November 1, 2005|access-date=25 October 2022|archive-date=25 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025150831/https://esctoday.com/5142/ert_to_present_logo_and_international_partners/|url-status=live}} According to ERT, it was "inspired by the wind and the sea, the golden sunlight and the glow of the sand". Following {{escyr|2004}}'s "Under The Same Sky" and {{escyr|2005}}'s "Awakening", the slogan for 2006 was "Feel The Rhythm". This theme was also the basis for the postcards in 2006, which emphasized Greece's historical significance as well as being a major modern tourist destination.{{cite web|url=http://esctoday.com/5146/athens_2006_more_from_the_press_conference/|title=Athens 2006: more from the press conference|website=EscToday|first=Sietse|last=Bakker|date=November 1, 2005|access-date=20 November 2020|archive-date=8 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708162247/http://esctoday.com/5146/athens_2006_more_from_the_press_conference/|url-status=live}}

In addition to the graphic design, there was a theme music for the contest composed by Nikko Patrelakis, which was used in the intros and in-between commercial breaks, as well as besides the participating entries. The theme music package was conducted by Andreas Pylarinos, while the ERT Symphony Orchestra recorded all music used during the show.{{cite web|url=https://esctoday.com/6001/nikko_patrelakis_composed_theme_music/|title=Nikko Patrelakis composed theme music|website=EscToday|first=Sietse|last=Bakker|date=April 30, 2006|access-date=25 October 2022|archive-date=25 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025105809/https://esctoday.com/6001/nikko_patrelakis_composed_theme_music/|url-status=live}}

As with the 2005 edition, the shows were broadcast in widescreen 16:9 format in standard-definition. The shows were also filmed (but not broadcast) in high-definition, as part of a research experiment carried by the EBU, host broadcaster ERT, the Institute for Broadcasting Technology in Munich, the {{ill|RAI research and technological development center|it|Centro ricerche e innovazione tecnologica Rai|lt=research and development laboratories}} of RAI and the BBC. This was done to test high-definition television and to gather "artistic and scientific knowledge" for future contests, but the HD footage was never intended to be used as part of the original broadcast.{{Cite web |date=2021-07-28 |title=Athens 2006 HD Cut: test tapes found and to be broadcast for first time |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/athens2006HD |access-date=2023-05-10 |website=eurovision.tv |language=en |archive-date=10 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230510210806/https://eurovision.tv/story/athens2006HD |url-status=live }} The first edition produced and broadcast in high-definition was the {{escyr|2007||subsequent contest}} in 2007.

On 31 July 2021, the HDTV raw footage of the 2006 contest was broadcast for the first time, as part of the EurovisionAgain series, on the Eurovision YouTube channel.{{Cite web|url=https://eurovision.tv/story/athens2006hdcut|title=Watch Now: Eurovision Song Contest Athens 2006 HD Cut|date=July 31, 2021|website=Eurovision.tv|access-date=31 July 2021|archive-date=31 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731192127/https://eurovision.tv/story/athens2006hdcut|url-status=live}}

ERT announced that the British company Stage One has been appointed to build the set for the contest. Stage One had designed the sets for the Opening and Closing ceremonies of the 2004 Summer Olympics. The broadcaster have announced that the concept will be rich with traditional Greek elements, paying homage to the country's history and culture.{{cite web|url=https://esctoday.com/5551/uk_firm_to_style_athens_stage/|title=UK firm to style Athens stage|website=EscToday|date=February 10, 2006|first=Richard|last=West-Soley|access-date=25 October 2022|archive-date=25 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025112608/https://esctoday.com/5551/uk_firm_to_style_athens_stage/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.etnow.com/news/2006/6/stage-one-on-song-for-eurovision|title=Stage One On Song for Eurovision|website=etnow|date=June 2, 2006|access-date=25 October 2022|archive-date=25 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025141422/https://www.etnow.com/news/2006/6/stage-one-on-song-for-eurovision|url-status=live}} The stage for the contest was designed by Greek stage designer Elias Ledakis. He would go on to design the stage for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2013 in Kyiv, Ukraine.{{cite web|url=https://www.esc-plus.com/junior-eurovision-lets-know-the-stage-by-elias-ledakis/|title=Junior Eurovision: Let's know the stage by Elias Ledakis!|website=EscPlus|date=October 15, 2013|first=Belén|last=García|access-date=13 February 2021|archive-date=22 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422224559/https://www.esc-plus.com/junior-eurovision-lets-know-the-stage-by-elias-ledakis/|url-status=live}} The stage was a replica of an ancient Greek amphitheatre.{{cite web|url=https://www.martin.com/en/news/eurovision-2006-a-monster-of-a-show|title=Eurovision 2006 a Monster of a Show|website=Martin Harman|date=June 8, 2006|access-date=13 February 2021|archive-date=5 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805172708/https://www.martin.com/en/news/eurovision-2006-a-monster-of-a-show|url-status=live}}

As it was referred, the theme "Feel The Rhythm" was also the basis for the postcards, which emphasized Greece's historical significance as well as being a major modern tourist destination. The postcards filmed between March and April 2006. The host broadcaster ERT spent €3 million on the production of the 37 postcards. Fanis Papathanisiou of ERT said: "An impressive, international tourism campaign is expensive as well. The Eurovision Song Contest is a perfect platform to achieve equal or even better results. That's why it is worth the investment". To decide what to show in the postcards, ERT hold surveys in all participating countries, asking what people associate Greece with.{{cite web|url=http://esctoday.com/5972/athens_2006_3_million_euros_for_postcards/|title=Athens 2006: 3 million euros for postcards|website=EscToday|first=Sietse|last=Bakker|date=April 26, 2006|access-date=20 November 2020|archive-date=29 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129063708/http://esctoday.com/5972/athens_2006_3_million_euros_for_postcards/|url-status=live}}

To save time in the final, the voting time lasted ten minutes and the voting process was changed: points 1–7 were shown immediately on-screen. The spokespersons only announced the countries scoring 8, 10 and 12 points. Despite this being intended to speed proceedings up, there were still problems during voting – EBU imaging over-rode Maria Menounos during a segment in the voting interval and some scoreboards were slow to load. The Dutch spokesperson Paul de Leeuw also caused problems, giving his mobile number to presenter Rouvas during the Dutch results, and slowing down proceedings, also by announcing the first seven points. Constantinos Christoforou (who represented {{esccnty|Cyprus|y=1996|t=Cyprus in 1996}}, {{esccnty|Cyprus|y=2002|t=in 2002}}, and {{esccnty|Cyprus|y=2005|t=in 2005}}) saluted from "Nicosia, the last divided capital in Europe"; during Cyprus' reading, the telecast displayed Switzerland by mistake. This voting process has been criticized because suspense was lost by only reading three votes instead of ten. And for the first and only time before the Prespa agreement, the display for the Macedonian entry had the title spelled out in its entirety (as "Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia") instead of being abbreviated as it has been in previous years (as "FYR Macedonia").

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After Greece's win, several websites claimed to know that Alexandra Pascalidou would be co-host the 2006 contest, together with the Greek-French journalist and entertainer Nikos Aliagas, but these speculations were untrue.{{cite web|url=https://esctoday.com/4679/no_contract_renewal_for_alexandra_pascalidou/|title=No contract renewal for Alexandra Pascalidou|website=ESCToday|date=June 6, 2005|first=Sietse|last=Bakker|access-date=25 October 2022|archive-date=25 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025145951/https://esctoday.com/4679/no_contract_renewal_for_alexandra_pascalidou/|url-status=live}}

Initially, ERT asked Sakis Rouvas to represent again Greece in Athens, an offer which he didn't accept. With the Greek broadcaster wanting Rouvas' involvement in the contest, they offered him to be one of the hosts of the contest, where he accepted.

Between the names that were rumored for the female host, included Greek Canadian actress Nia Vardalos, Greek social entrepreneur and philanthropist Elizabeth Filippouli, Greek American actress Jennifer Aniston, and the {{escyr|2005||previous edition's}} winner, Helena Paparizou.{{cite web|url=http://esctoday.com/5145/athens_2006_sakis_rouvas_hosts/|title=Athens 2006: Sakis Rouvas hosts!|website=ESCToday|date=November 1, 2005|first=Sietse|last=Bakker|access-date=19 November 2020|archive-date=29 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129062204/http://esctoday.com/5145/athens_2006_sakis_rouvas_hosts/|url-status=live}} After a lot of speculations, ERT announced on 7 March 2006 that Greek American television personality Maria Menounos would be the hostess of the contest.{{cite web|url=http://esctoday.com/5680/upd-_maria_menounos_female_host/|title=UPD Maria Menounos female host|website=ESCToday|date=March 7, 2006|first=Sietse|last=Bakker|access-date=19 November 2020|archive-date=4 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004113230/http://esctoday.com/5680/upd-_maria_menounos_female_host/|url-status=live}}

Menounos and Rouvas also hosted the allocation draw on 21 March 2006, in order to determine the running order for the semi-final, the grand final and – for the first time in the history of the contest – the voting order.{{cite web|url=https://www.in.gr/2006/03/07/culture/i-maria-menoynos-tha-paroysiasei-mazi-me-ton-saki-royba-to-diagwnismo-tis-eurovision/|title=Maria Menounos to present the contest along with Sakis Rouvas in Athens|website=in.gr|date=March 7, 2006|access-date=19 November 2020|archive-date=17 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517141008/https://www.in.gr/2006/03/07/culture/i-maria-menoynos-tha-paroysiasei-mazi-me-ton-saki-royba-to-diagwnismo-tis-eurovision/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://esctoday.com/5813/running_order_decided/|title=Running order decided!|website=EscToday|date=March 21, 2006|first=Sietse|last=Bakker|access-date=28 November 2020|archive-date=3 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903005137/http://esctoday.com/5813/running_order_decided/|url-status=live}} The "Welcome to the Party" opening ceremony was hosted by actress Zeta Makrypoulia and actor/screenwriter of the show, Giorgos Kapoutzidis, while Ioanna Papanikolopoulou was moderating the press conferences.

File:ESC 2006 Semi Finals.svg

The semi-final was held on 18 May 2006 at 21:00 (CET). 23 countries performed and all 37 participants and Serbia{{Cite web |url=https://www.aussievision.net/post/evropesma-eurovision-s-most-controversial-national-final |title=Evropesma - Eurovision's Most Controversial National Final |date=2021-01-20 |work=AussieVision |first=Ford |last=Carter}}{{cite web|title=Serbia and Montenegro – Eurovision Song Contest 2006|url=https://eurovision.tv/participant/withdrew-from-the-competition-but-still-voted|access-date=21 April 2021|publisher=European Broadcasting Union}} (as a part of Serbia and Montenegro) voted.

The semi-final opened with a medley of former Eurovision songs performed by Greek gods: "Welcome to the Party" by Anna Vissi (runner-up at the {{esccnty|Greece|y=2006|t=Ellinikós Telikós 2006}}) performed by the Muses, "{{lang|it|Nel blu, dipinto di blu|i=no}}" by Domenico Modugno ({{esccnty|Italy|y=1958|t=Italy 1958}}) performed by Zeus, "{{lang|fr|L'amour est bleu|i=no}}" by Vicky Leandros ({{esccnty|Luxembourg|y=1967|t=Luxembourg 1967}}) performed by Poseidon, "Save Your Kisses for Me" by Brotherhood of Man ({{esccnty|United Kingdom|y=1976|t=United Kingdom 1976}}) performed by Hermes, "Making Your Mind Up" by Bucks Fizz ({{esccnty|United Kingdom|y=1981|t=United Kingdom 1981}}) performed by Athena, "A-Ba-Ni-Bi" by Izhar Cohen & The Alphabeta ({{esccnty|Israel|y=1978|t=Israel 1978}}) performed by Hephaestus, "Dschinghis Khan" by Dschinghis Khan ({{esccnty|Germany|y=1979|t=Germany 1979}}) performed by Ares, "Diva" by Dana International ({{esccnty|Israel|y=1998|t=Israel 1998}}) performed by Aphrodite, "Waterloo" by ABBA ({{esccnty|Sweden|y=1974|t=Sweden 1974}}) performed by the Charites, "Wild Dances" by Ruslana ({{esccnty|Ukraine|y=2004|t=Ukraine 2004}}) performed by Artemis and "My Number One" by Helena Paparizou ({{esccnty|Greece|y=2005|t=Greece 2005}}) performed by the ensemble cast of the Greek gods. In addition, the hosts Maria Menounos and Sakis Rouvas sang "Love Shine a Light" by Katrina and the Waves ({{esccnty|United Kingdom|y=1997|t=United Kingdom 1997}}).

The voting lines for the semi-final were opened by Emilia Tsoulfa (2004 Summer Olympics gold medalist at 470 class sailing representing Greece) and Dimosthenis Tampakos (Greek gymnast and Olympic gold medalist).

The interval act of the semi-final began with the English cover of the song "{{lang|el-latn|S'eho Erotefthi|i=no}}", performed as "I'm In Love With You" by the host Sakis Rouvas. A folkloric ballet composed by Dimitris Papadimitriou and choreographed by Fokas Evangelinos followed, using traditional Greek music and dances, with the pan flute as a conducting element.

{{Legend|navajowhite|Qualifiers}}

File:Nana Mouskouri 2012 01.jpg appeared as a guest in the grand final.]]

The finalists were:

• the four automatic qualifiers {{Esccnty|France|y=2006}}, {{Esccnty|Germany|y=2006}}, {{Esccnty|Spain|y=2006}}, and the {{Esccnty|United Kingdom|y=2006}};
• the top 10 countries from the 2005 final (other than the automatic qualifiers);{{efn|Following Serbia and Montenegro's withdrawal, Croatia took its place as an automatic qualifier.|name=SCG}}
• the top 10 countries from the 2006 semi-final.

The final was held on 20 May 2006 at 21:00 (CET) and was won by Finland. 24 countries performed and all 37 participants and Serbia (as a part of Serbia and Montenegro) voted.

The grand final opened with a ballet dance, symbolizing the birth of Greece. The Greek singer Foteini Darra performed "The Mermaid Song" (also known as "The Song of Life"), while the dancers and the sets mimicked the creative elements (the sea, the wind, the sun). At the end of the ballet, the presenters appeared in the air, suspended from ropes. They landed on the stage and greeted the audience. They immediately introduced the previous year's winner, Helena Paparizou, who performed her winning song, "My Number One".

The voting lines for the final were opened by the Greek singer Nana Mouskouri, who represented {{esccnty|Luxembourg|y=1963|t=Luxembourg in 1963}}.

The interval act of the final featured Helena Paparizou performed her song "Mambo!", already a smash hit in Greece, and a contemporary ballet composed by Dimitris Papadimitriou and choreographed by Fokas Evangelinos entitled 4000 Years of Greek Song and which traced the history of the musical culture of the host country.

{{Legend|Gold|Winner}}

The following people were the spokespersons for their countries. A spokesperson delivers the results of national televoting during the final night, awarding points to the entries on behalf of his or her country.[http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/6200] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060603094310/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/6200|date=June 3, 2006}} Although Serbia and Montenegro withdrew from the contest, it retained its voting rights. A draw was held to determine each country's voting order. Countries revealed their votes in the following order:

{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}

1. {{flagu|Slovenia}}{{snd}}Peter Poles
2. {{flagu|Andorra}}{{snd}}Xavi Palma
3. {{flagu|Romania}}{{snd}}Andreea Marin Bănică
4. {{flagu|Denmark}}{{snd}}Jørgen de Mylius
5. {{flagu|Latvia}}{{snd}}Mārtiņš Freimanis
6. {{flagu|Portugal}}{{snd}}Cristina Alves
7. {{flagu|Sweden}}{{snd}}Jovan Radomir
8. {{flagu|Finland}}{{snd}}Nina Tapio
9. {{flagu|Belgium}}{{snd}}Yasmine
10. {{flagu|Croatia}}{{snd}}Mila Horvat
11. {{flagu|Serbia and Montenegro}}{{snd}}Jovana Janković
12. {{flagu|Norway}}{{snd}}Ingvild Helljesen
13. {{flagu|Estonia}}{{snd}}Evelin Samuel
14. {{flagu|Ireland}}{{snd}}Eimear Quinn
15. {{flagu|Malta}}{{snd}}Moira Delia
16. {{flagu|Lithuania}}{{snd}}{{ill|Lavija Šurnaitė|lt|Lavija Šurnaitė-Kairienė}}
17. {{flagu|Cyprus}}{{snd}}Constantinos Christoforou
18. {{flagu|Netherlands}}{{snd}}Paul de Leeuw
19. {{flagu|Switzerland}}{{snd}}{{ill|Jubaira Bachmann|de}}
20. {{flagu|Ukraine|1992}}{{snd}}{{ill|Igor Posypayko|uk|Посипайко Ігор Юрійович}}
21. {{flagu|Russia}}{{snd}}Yana Churikova
22. {{flagu|Poland}}{{snd}}{{ill|Maciej Orłoś|pl}}
23. {{flagu|United Kingdom}}{{snd}}Fearne Cotton
24. {{flagu|Armenia}}{{snd}}Gohar Gasparyan
25. {{flagu|France}}{{snd}}{{ill|Sophie Jovillard|fr}}
26. {{flagu|Belarus|1995}}{{snd}}Corrianna
27. {{flagu|Germany}}{{snd}}Thomas Hermanns
28. {{flagu|Spain}}{{snd}}Sonia Ferrer
29. {{flagu|Moldova|1990}}{{snd}}Svetlana Cocoş
30. {{flagu|Bosnia and Herzegovina}}{{snd}}Vesna Andree Zaimović
31. {{flagu|Iceland}}{{snd}}Ragnhildur Steinunn Jónsdóttir
32. {{flagu|Monaco}}{{snd}}{{ill|Églantine Éméyé|fr}}
33. {{flagu|Israel}}{{snd}}{{ill|Dana Herman|he|דנה הרמן}}
34. {{flagu|Albania}}{{snd}}Leon Menkshi
35. {{flagu|Greece}}{{snd}}{{ill|Alexis Kostalas|el|Αλέξης Κωστάλας}}
36. {{flagu|Bulgaria}}{{snd}}Dragomir Simeonov
37. {{flagu|North Macedonia|name=Macedonia}}{{snd}}Martin Vučić
38. {{flagu|Turkey}}{{snd}}Meltem Ersan Yazgan

{{Div col end}}

Televoting was used in all nations except Monaco and Albania. Monaco used a jury as the chances of getting enough votes needed to validate the votes were low. Albania used a jury since there were problems with their televote. In the semi-final, Monaco and Albania used the jury voting due to insufficient televoting numbers. Coincidentally, Albania and Monaco were two of the three countries that did not vote for the winning entry, the third one was Armenia.

Serbia had been allowed to vote in the show, despite not competing, and despite not being an independent country, but a part of Serbia and Montenegro.

Below is a summary of all 12 points in the semi-final:

|-

! scope="row" rowspan="2" | 6

| {{Esc|Armenia|y=2006}} || {{Esc|Belgium|y=2006}}, {{Esc|Cyprus|y=2006}}, {{Esc|France|y=2006}}, {{Esc|Netherlands|y=2006}}, {{Esc|Russia|y=2006}}, {{Esc|Spain|y=2006}}

|-

| {{Esc|Finland|y=2006}} || {{Esc|Estonia|y=2006}}, {{Esc|Germany|y=2006}}, {{Esc|Iceland|y=2006}}, {{Esc|Poland|y=2006}}, {{Esc|Sweden|y=2006}}, {{Esc|United Kingdom|y=2006}}

|-

! scope="row" | 3

| {{Esc|Sweden|y=2006}} || {{Esc|Denmark|y=2006}}, {{Esc|Malta|y=2006}}, {{Esc|Portugal|y=2006}}

|-

! scope="row" rowspan="6" | 1

| {{Esc|Albania|y=2006}} || {{Esc|Macedonia|y=2006}}

|-

| {{Esc|Cyprus|y=2006}} || {{Esc|Greece|y=2006}}

|-

| {{Esc|Lithuania|y=2006}} || {{Esc|Ireland|y=2006}}

|-

| {{Esc|Macedonia|y=2006}} || {{Esc|Albania|y=2006}}

|-

| {{Esc|Portugal|y=2006}} || {{Esc|Andorra|y=2006}}

|-

| {{Esc|Turkey|y=2006}} || {{Esc|Bosnia and Herzegovina|y=2006}}

|}

Below is a summary of all 12 points in the final:

All participating broadcasters may choose to have on-site or remote commentators providing an insight about the show to their local audience and, while they must broadcast at least the semi-final they are voting in and the final, most broadcasters air all three shows with different programming plans. Similarly, some non-participating broadcasters may still want to air the contest. The tables below show known data regarding the broadcasts:

| All shows

| {{N/A|}}

|

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Andorra}}

| RTVA

| ATV

| All shows

| {{ill|Meri Picart|ca}} and Josep Lluís Trabal

| {{cite news |last1=Ventura Cardús |first1=Núria |title=Un esclat d'il·lusió |url=https://www.diariandorra.ad/noticies/dmg/recordes_quan/2016/11/13/un_esclat_lusio_108959_1196.html |access-date=23 January 2023 |work=Diari d'Andorra |date=13 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114171100/http://www.diariandorra.ad/noticies/dmg/recordes_quan/2016/11/13/un_esclat_lusio_108959_1196.html |archive-date=14 November 2016 |language=ca |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Europinions |url=http://andorradifusio.ad/emissions/europinions |publisher=Andorra Difusió |access-date=23 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419030358/http://andorradifusio.ad/emissions/europinions |archive-date=19 April 2014}}

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Armenia}}

| AMPTV

| {{N/A|}}

| All shows

| {{N/A|}}

|

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Belarus|1995}}

| BTRC

| {{N/A|}}

| All shows

| {{ill|Denis Dudinskiy|ru|Дудинский, Денис Игоревич}}

| {{cite news |last1=Mytko |first1=Oksana |title=Евровидение-2006: Сегодня ночь в Афинах будет звездной |url=https://www.tvr.by/company/pressa-o-nas/evrovidenie_2006_segodnya_noch_v_afinakh_budet_zvezdnoy/ |access-date=3 February 2023 |work=BTRC |date=18 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170505215047/http://www.tvr.by/company/pressa-o-nas/evrovidenie_2006_segodnya_noch_v_afinakh_budet_zvezdnoy |archive-date=5 May 2017 |language=ru |url-status=live}}

|-

! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="3" | {{Flagu|Belgium}}

| rowspan="2" | VRT

| {{lang|nl|Eén|i=unset}}

| rowspan="3" | All shows

| André Vermeulen and Bart Peeters

| {{cite web |title=Volg het Eurovisiesongfestival op radio, tv en online |url=http://www.een.be/extra/subsites/eurovisiesongfestival/e_kate_nieuws_0502_uitzendingen/index.shtml |publisher=Eén |access-date=2 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060525041420/http://www.een.be/extra/subsites/eurovisiesongfestival/e_kate_nieuws_0502_uitzendingen/index.shtml |archive-date=25 May 2006 |language=nl}}

|-

| Radio 2

| {{N/A|}}

|

|-

| RTBF

| {{lang|fr|La Une|i=unset}}, RTBF Sat

| Jean-Pierre Hautier

| {{cite news |last=Vantroyen |first=Jean-Claude |title=La foudre et la force ont frappé l'Eurovision |url=https://www.lesoir.be/art/d-20060522-W29295 |access-date=3 February 2023 |work=Le Soir |date=22 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203204932/https://www.lesoir.be/art/d-20060522-W29295 |archive-date=3 February 2023 |language=fr |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}}

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Bosnia and Herzegovina}}

| BHRT

| BHT 1

| All shows

| Dejan Kukrić

| {{cite web |last1=Royston |first1=Benny |title=Exclusive: Bosnia Herzegovina – Song on 4th March |url=https://esctoday.com/7061/exclusive_bosnia_herzegovina_-_song_on_4th_march/ |publisher=ESCToday |access-date=2 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181015152814/http://esctoday.com/7061/exclusive_bosnia_herzegovina_-_song_on_4th_march |archive-date=15 October 2018 |date=20 December 2006 |url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Pregled programa BHT1|url=http://www.pbsbih.ba/satelitski/satelitski_program.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060519174159/http://www.pbsbih.ba/satelitski/satelitski_program.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=2006-05-19|date=19 May 2006}}{{cite web |last1=Ćorović |first1=Alen |title=Šest oktana do boljijeh dana! |url=http://www.infobiro.ba/article/234717 |publisher=Oslobođenje |date=27 May 2006 |page=22 |language=bs |access-date=12 June 2023 |archive-date=12 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230612182713/http://www.infobiro.ba/article/234717 |url-status=live }}

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Bulgaria}}

| BNT

| {{N/A|}}

| All shows

| {{N/A|}}

|

|-

! scope="rowgroup" | {{Flagu|Croatia}}

| HRT

| HRT 2

| All shows

| Duško Ćurlić

| {{cite web |title=Leksikon radija i televizije – Duško Ćurlić |url=https://api.hrt.hr/media/static/doc/hrt_leksikon.pdf |publisher=HRT |access-date=2 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907213917/https://api.hrt.hr/media/static/doc/hrt_leksikon.pdf |archive-date=7 September 2021 |page=79 |language=hr |date=2016 |url-status=live}}

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Cyprus}}

| CyBC

| {{N/A|}}

| All shows

| {{N/A|}}

|

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Denmark}}

| DR

| DR1

| All shows

| Mads Vangsø and {{ill|Adam Duvå Hall|da}}

| {{cite web |title=Sendetidspunkter Eurovision Song Contest 2006 |url=http://www.dr.dk:80/grandprix/ |publisher=DR |access-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060518002443/http://www.dr.dk:80/grandprix/ |archive-date=18 May 2006 |language=da |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |title=Mylle må vige pladsen for Adam og Mads |url=https://www.bt.dk/underholdning/mylle-maa-vige-pladsen-for-adam-og-mads |access-date=2 February 2023 |work=B.T. |date=26 April 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202130720/https://www.bt.dk/underholdning/mylle-maa-vige-pladsen-for-adam-og-mads |archive-date=2 February 2023 |language=da |url-status=live}}

|-

! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="2" | {{Flagu|Estonia}}

| colspan="2" | ETV

| rowspan="2" | All shows

| Marko Reikop

| rowspan="2" | {{cite news |title=Televisiooni ja raadio nädalaka – 15.–21. mai |url=https://dea.digar.ee/cgi-bin/dea?a=d&d=sakala20060513 |access-date=2 February 2023 |work=Sakala |date=13 May 2006 |location=Viljandi, Estonia |language=et |via=DIGAR Eesti artiklid |archive-date=2 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202130309/https://dea.digar.ee/cgi-bin/dea?a=d&d=sakala20060513 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Eurovisiooni 51. lauluvõistlus |url=https://dea.digar.ee/cgi-bin/dea?a=d&d=koit20060513 |access-date=2 February 2023 |work=Koit Nädal |date=13 May 2006 |location=Põlva, Estonia |page=2 |language=et |via=DIGAR Eesti artiklid |archive-date=2 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202130312/https://dea.digar.ee/cgi-bin/dea?a=d&d=koit20060513 |url-status=live }}

|-

| ER

| {{lang|et|Raadio 2|i=unset}}

| Mart Juur and Andrus Kivirähk

|-

! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="3" | {{Flagu|Finland}}

| rowspan="3" | YLE

| YLE TV2

| rowspan="3" | All shows

| Jaana Pelkonen, Heikki Paasonen and {{ill|Asko Murtomäki|fi}}

| rowspan="3" | {{cite web |title=Nina Tapio ilmoittaa Suomen pisteet |url=http://www.yle.fi/eurovision/delta/lehdisto/ |publisher=YLE |access-date=2 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060430042418/http://www.yle.fi/eurovision/delta/lehdisto/ |archive-date=30 April 2006 |language=fi |date=24 April 2006 |url-status=dead}}

|-

| YLE FST, YLE Radio Vega

| {{ill|Thomas Lundin (broadcaster)|sv|Thomas Lundin|lt=Thomas Lundin}}

|-

| YLE Radio Suomi

| Sanna Kojo

|-

! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="2" | {{Flagu|France}}

| rowspan="2" | {{lang|fr|France Télévisions|i=unset}}

| France 4

| Semi-final

| {{ill|Peggy Olmi|fr}} and Éric Jean-Jean

| rowspan="2" | {{cite web |title=Le concours - Eurovision 2006 |url=http://programmes.france3.fr/eurovision-2006/20723448-fr.php |publisher=France 3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060619044555/http://programmes.france3.fr/eurovision-2006/20723448-fr.php |archive-date=19 June 2006 |language=fr |url-status=dead}}

|-

| France 3

| Final

| Michel Drucker and {{ill|Claudy Siar|fr}}

|-

! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="2" | {{Flagu|Germany}}

| rowspan="2" | ARD

| {{lang|de|NDR Fernsehen|i=unset}}

| Semi-final

| rowspan="2" | Peter Urban

| rowspan="2" | {{cite press release |date=22 March 2006 |title='Eurovision Song Contest': Texas Lightning mit Startnummer 8 |url=https://www.presseportal.de/pm/6561/800946 |language=de |publisher=Norddeutscher Rundfunk |access-date=2 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202101928/https://www.presseportal.de/pm/6561/800946 |archive-date=2 February 2023 |url-status=live}}

|-

| {{lang|de|Das Erste|i=unset}}

| Final

|-

! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="2" | {{flagu|Greece}}

| rowspan="2" | ERT

| NET

| rowspan="2" | All shows

| Zeta Makripoulia and Giorgos Kapoutzidis

| {{Cite web|url=https://www.clproductions.gr/el/major-events/eurovision-2006|title=EUROVISION SONG CONTEST ATHENS 2006|website=CL Productions|language=el|quote=[...]η τηλεθέαση "άγγιξε" κατά μέσο όρο το 82.2% που αποτελεί νέο ρεκόρ για το κανάλι της ΝΕΤ.|trans-quote=[...]the viewership reached an average of 82.2%, which is a new record for NET channel|access-date=31 March 2023|archive-date=31 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331230245/https://www.clproductions.gr/el/major-events/eurovision-2006|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Σε ρόλο σχολιαστών της 51ης Eurovision ο Γ.Καπουτζίδης και η Ζ.Μακρυπούλια |url=https://www.in.gr/2006/01/19/culture/se-rolo-sxoliastwn-tis-51is-eurovision-o-g-kapoytzidis-kai-i-z-makrypoylia/ |access-date=3 February 2023 |work=in.gr |date=19 January 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517140424/https://www.in.gr/2006/01/19/culture/se-rolo-sxoliastwn-tis-51is-eurovision-o-g-kapoytzidis-kai-i-z-makrypoylia/ |archive-date=17 May 2021 |language=el |url-status=live}}

|-

| Second Programme

| Maria Kozakou

| {{Cite web|url=https://eurovisionfun.com/2020/07/%CE%B5%CE%BB%CE%BB%CE%AC%CE%B4%CE%B1-%CE%B4%CE%B9%CE%B5%CF%85%CE%B8%CF%8D%CE%BD%CF%84%CF%81%CE%B9%CE%B1-%CF%83%CF%84%CE%BF-%CE%B4%CE%B5%CF%8D%CF%84%CE%B5%CF%81%CE%BF-%CF%80%CF%81%CF%8C%CE%B3%CF%81/|title=Ελλάδα: Διευθύντρια στο "Δεύτερο Πρόγραμμα της ΕΡΑ" η Μαρία Κοζάκου!|date=9 July 2020|access-date=1 April 2023|website=Eurovision Fun|language=el|quote=Ακόμη έχει σχολιάσει το διαγωνισμό τραγουδιού της Eurovision τρεις φορές για τη Δημόσια Ραδιοφωνία (2006,2008,2010)[...]|trans-quote=She has even commented the Eurovision song contest three times for Public Radio (2006,2008,2010)[...]|archive-date=31 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331230252/https://eurovisionfun.com/2020/07/%ce%b5%ce%bb%ce%bb%ce%ac%ce%b4%ce%b1-%ce%b4%ce%b9%ce%b5%cf%85%ce%b8%cf%8d%ce%bd%cf%84%cf%81%ce%b9%ce%b1-%cf%83%cf%84%ce%bf-%ce%b4%ce%b5%cf%8d%cf%84%ce%b5%cf%81%ce%bf-%cf%80%cf%81%cf%8c%ce%b3%cf%81/|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Γιώργος Καπουτζίδης και Μαρία Κοζάκου ξανά μαζί στο σχολιασμό της Eurovision |url=https://www.ethnos.gr/tv-media/article/88128/giorgoskapoytzidhskaimariakozakoyxanamazistosxoliasmothseurovision |access-date=3 February 2023 |work=Ethnos |date=12 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203170046/https://www.ethnos.gr/tv-media/article/88128/giorgoskapoytzidhskaimariakozakoyxanamazistosxoliasmothseurovision |archive-date=3 February 2023 |language=el |url-status=live}}

|-

! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="3" | {{Flagu|Iceland}}

| rowspan="3" | RÚV

| {{lang|is|Sjónvarpið|i=unset}}

| All shows

| rowspan="3" | Sigmar Guðmundsson

| rowspan="3" | {{cite news |title=Útvarp/Sjónvarp – fimmtudagur 18. maí 2006 |trans-title=Radio/Television – Thursday 18 May 2006 |url=https://timarit.is/page/4131067#page/n61/mode/2up |access-date=2 February 2023 |work=Morgunblaðið |date=18 May 2006 |location=Reykjavík, Iceland |page=62 |language=is |via=Timarit.is}}{{cite news |title=Útvarp/Sjónvarp – laugardagur 20. maí 2006 |trans-title=Radio/Television – Saturday 20 May 2006 |url=https://timarit.is/page/4131275#page/n77/mode/2up |access-date=2 February 2023 |work=Morgunblaðið |date=20 May 2006 |location=Reykjavík, Iceland |page=78 |language=is |via=Timarit.is}}

|-

| {{lang|is|Rás 1|i=unset}}

| Semi-final

|-

| {{lang|is|Rás 2|i=unset}}

| Final

|-

! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="2" | {{Flagu|Ireland}}

| rowspan="2" | RTÉ

| RTÉ Two

| Semi-final

| rowspan="2" | Marty Whelan

| rowspan="2" | {{cite press release |author= |title=Eurovision Song Contest 2006-Preview and Semi-final |url=https://presspack.rte.ie/2006/05/17/eurovision-song-contest-2006/ |publisher=RTÉ |date=17 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119163001/https://presspack.rte.ie/2006/05/17/eurovision-song-contest-2006/ |archive-date=19 November 2021 |access-date=30 January 2023 |url-status=live}}{{cite press release |author= |title=RTÉ Entertainment: The 51st Eurovision Song Contest Final 2006 |url=https://presspack.rte.ie/2006/05/20/eurovision-song-contest-final/ |publisher=RTÉ |date=20 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130133737/https://presspack.rte.ie/2006/05/20/eurovision-song-contest-final/ |archive-date=30 January 2023 |access-date=30 January 2023 |url-status=live}}

|-

| RTÉ One

| Final

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Israel}}

| IBA

| {{N/A|}}

| All shows

| {{N/A|}}

|

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Latvia}}

| LTV

| LTV1

| All shows

| {{ill|Kārlis Streips|lv}}

| {{cite web |title=Eirovīzijas pusfināls noskaidro vēl desmit finālistus! |url=http://www.eirovizija.lv/lat/aktualitates/1340/ |publisher=LTV |access-date=6 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060526035933/http://www.eirovizija.lv:80/lat/aktualitates/1340/ |archive-date=26 May 2006 |language=lv |date=19 May 2006 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |title=Streips kā dalībnieks debitē 'Eirovīzijā' |url=https://www.delfi.lv/izklaide/archive/streips-ka-dalibnieks-debite-eirovizija.d?id=41631019 |publisher=Delfi |access-date=30 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130104825/https://www.delfi.lv/izklaide/archive/streips-ka-dalibnieks-debite-eirovizija.d?id=41631019 |archive-date=30 November 2022 |language=lv |date=9 November 2011 |url-status=live}}

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Lithuania}}

| LRT

| {{N/A|}}

| All shows

| Darius Užkuraitis

| {{cite news |last1=Meškinytė |first1=Adelė |title='Eurovizijos' balsas D.Užkuraitis: smagi atsiradimo konkurse istorija ir atsakymas, ką išties mano apie šou |url=https://www.15min.lt/zmones/naujiena/eurovizija/eurovizijos-balsas-d-uzkuraitis-smagi-atsiradimo-konkurse-istorija-ir-atsakymas-ka-isties-mano-apie-sou-1058-1318738 |access-date=6 December 2022 |work=15min |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203112323/https://www.15min.lt/zmones/naujiena/eurovizija/eurovizijos-balsas-d-uzkuraitis-smagi-atsiradimo-konkurse-istorija-ir-atsakymas-ka-isties-mano-apie-sou-1058-1318738 |archive-date=3 December 2022 |language=lt |url-status=live}}

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Macedonia}}

| MRT

| {{N/A|}}

| All shows

| Karolina Petkovska

| {{cite web |title=Macedonian Radio Television – Organisation |url=http://www.eurosong.com.mk/english/organization.html |publisher=MRT |access-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060525090805/http://www.eurosong.com.mk/english/organization.html |archive-date=25 May 2006 |url-status=dead}}

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Malta}}

| PBS

| TVM

| All shows

| {{N/A|}}

| {{cite news |title=Television – May 18, 2006 |work=Times of Malta |date=18 May 2006 |page=28}}{{cite news |title=Television and Radio – May 20, 2006 |work=Times of Malta |date=20 May 2006 |page=28}}{{cite news |last1=Massa |first1=Ariadne |title=Fabrizio struggles to leave his mark |url=https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/fabrizio-struggles-to-leave-his-mark.53637 |access-date=3 February 2023 |work=Times of Malta |date=20 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203094704/https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/fabrizio-struggles-to-leave-his-mark.53637 |archive-date=3 February 2023 |url-status=live}}

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Moldova|1990}}

| TRM

| Moldova 1

| All shows

| {{N/A|}}

|

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Monaco}}

| colspan="2" | TMC Monte Carlo

| All shows

| {{ill|Bernard Montiel|fr}} and {{ill|Églantine Éméyé|fr}}

| {{cite web |last1=Dias |first1=Sébastien |title=L'Eurovision 2006 bat des records d'audience et d'horreur... |url=http://www.toutelatele.com/article.php3?id_article=5624 |publisher=Toute La Télé |access-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061231043855/http://www.toutelatele.com/article.php3?id_article=5624 |archive-date=31 December 2006 |language=fr |date=22 May 2006 |url-status=dead}}

|-

! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="3" | {{Flagu|Netherlands}}

| rowspan="3" | PO

| rowspan="2" | {{lang|nl|Nederland 2|i=unset}}

| Semi-final

| Cornald Maas

| rowspan="3" | {{cite news |title=Radio & Televisie – donderdag 18 mei 2006 |url=https://krantenbankzeeland.nl/issue/pzc/2006-05-18/edition/null/page/6 |access-date=2 February 2023 |work=Provinciale Zeeuwse Courant |language=nl |date=18 May 2006 |page=6 |archive-date=2 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202113216/https://krantenbankzeeland.nl/issue/pzc/2006-05-18/edition/null/page/6 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Radio & Televisie – zaterdag 20 mei 2006 |url=https://krantenbankzeeland.nl/issue/pzc/2006-05-20/edition/null/page/8 |access-date=2 February 2023 |work=Provinciale Zeeuwse Courant |date=18 May 2006 |language=nl |page=8 |archive-date=2 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202113208/https://krantenbankzeeland.nl/issue/pzc/2006-05-20/edition/null/page/8 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Drie kandidaten voor Nationaal Songfestival |url=https://www.nu.nl/achterklap/630449/drie-kandidaten-voor-nationaal-songfestival.html |access-date=29 January 2023 |work=NU.nl |date=22 November 2005 |language=nl |archive-date=29 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129083044/https://www.nu.nl/achterklap/630449/drie-kandidaten-voor-nationaal-songfestival.html |url-status=live }}

|-

| Final

| Cornald Maas and Paul de Leeuw

|-

| Radio 2

| All shows

| {{N/A|}}

|-

! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="2" | {{Flagu|Norway}}

| rowspan="2" | NRK

| NRK1

| All shows

| Jostein Pedersen

| rowspan="2" | {{cite news |title=På TV – torsdag 18. mai |url=https://www.nb.no/items/f0c07b6ca27e59835d15dd742e6abc8c?page=57 |access-date=2 February 2023 |work=Rogalands Avis |date=18 May 2006 |location=Stavanger, Norway |pages=58–59 |via=National Library of Norway |archive-date=2 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202113210/https://www.nb.no/items/f0c07b6ca27e59835d15dd742e6abc8c?page=57 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Radio & TV – lørdag 20. mai |url=https://www.nb.no/items/6b45ebbbecadda43d12875c5add7c139?page=39 |access-date=2 February 2023 |work=Sandefjords Blad |date=20 May 2006 |location=Sandefjord, Norway |pages=39–41 |via=National Library of Norway |archive-date=2 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202113215/https://www.nb.no/items/6b45ebbbecadda43d12875c5add7c139?page=39 |url-status=live }}

|-

| NRK P1

| Final

| {{N/A|}}

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Poland}}

| TVP

| TVP1, TVP Polonia

| All shows

| Artur Orzech

| {{cite web |title=Konkurs Piosenki Eurowizji Ateny 2006 z dźwiękiem Dolby Digital 5.1 |url=http://ww2.tvp.pl/5743,20060518343576.strona |publisher=TVP |date=18 May 2006 |access-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060705091605/http://ww2.tvp.pl/5743,20060518343576.strona |archive-date=5 July 2006 |language=pl |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |last1=Erling |first1=Barbara |title=Artur Orzech zapowiada, że skomentuje Eurowizję, ale tym razem na Instagramie |url=https://www.press.pl/tresc/70768,artur-orzech-zapowiada_-ze-skomentuje-eurowizje_-ale-tym-razem-na-instagramie |publisher=Press |access-date=26 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514171828/https://www.press.pl/tresc/70768,artur-orzech-zapowiada_-ze-skomentuje-eurowizje_-ale-tym-razem-na-instagramie |archive-date=14 May 2022 |language=pl |date=12 May 2022 |url-status=live}}

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Portugal}}

| RTP

| {{N/A|}}

| All shows

| Eládio Clímaco

| {{cite web |last1=Firmino |first1=Tiago |title=O número do dia. Quantos festivais comentou Eládio Clímaco na televisão portuguesa? |url=https://www.n-tv.pt/eurovisao/o-numero-do-dia-quantos-festivais-comentou-eladio-climaco-na-televisao-portuguesa/269763/ |publisher=N-TV |access-date=10 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104125852/https://www.n-tv.pt/eurovisao/o-numero-do-dia-quantos-festivais-comentou-eladio-climaco-na-televisao-portuguesa/269763/ |archive-date=4 November 2022 |language=pt |date=7 April 2018 |url-status=live}}

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Romania}}

| TVR

| TVR 1

| All shows

| {{N/A|}}

| {{cite news |title=Televiziune & media |trans-title=Television & media |url=https://adt.arcanum.com/en/view/Libertatea_2006_05/?pg=261&layout=s |access-date=9 March 2025 |work=Libertatea |date=18 May 2006 |location=Bucharest, Romania |page=14 |language=ro |url-access=subscription |via={{ill|Arcanum Newspapers|hu|Arcanum Újságok}}}}{{cite web |title=Eurovision, Watched with Great Interest by Romanian Audience |url=http://www.tvr.ro:80/eurovision/news.php |publisher=TVR |access-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060626010643/http://www.tvr.ro:80/eurovision/news.php |archive-date=26 June 2006 |language=en |date=25 May 2006 |url-status=dead}}

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Russia}}

| colspan="2" | Channel One

| All shows

| {{ill|Yuriy Aksyuta|ru|Аксюта, Юрий Викторович}} and Tatiana Godunova

| {{cite news |title=Телевидение |url=http://tvp.netcollect.ru/tvps/2006__15-21_maja.pdf |access-date=3 February 2023 |work=Pravda |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203203743/http://tvp.netcollect.ru/tvps/2006__15-21_maja.pdf |archive-date=3 February 2023 |page=4 |language=ru |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Moiseenko |first=Lyudmila |title=Завершаются последние приготовления к полуфиналу конкурса «Евровидение 2006» |url=https://www.1tv.ru/news/2006-05-18/221199-zavershayutsya_poslednie_prigotovleniya_k_polufinalu_konkursa_evrovidenie_2006 |publisher=Channel One Russia |access-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511141137/https://www.1tv.ru/news/2006-05-18/221199-zavershayutsya_poslednie_prigotovleniya_k_polufinalu_konkursa_evrovidenie_2006 |archive-date=11 May 2017 |language=ru |date=18 May 2006}}

|-

! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="2" | {{Flagu|Slovenia}}

| rowspan="2" | RTVSLO

| SLO 2

| Semi-final

| rowspan="2" | {{ill|Mojca Mavec|sl}}

| rowspan="2" | {{cite news |title=TV spored |url=https://arhiv.gorenjskiglas.si/digitar/16298754_20060516_L.pdf |access-date=2 February 2023 |work=Gorenjski glas |date=16 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202160629/https://arhiv.gorenjskiglas.si/digitar/16298754_20060516_L.pdf |archive-date=2 February 2023 |pages=11–18 |language=sl |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Anžej Dežan potuje v Atene |url=https://www.dnevnik.si/179020 |access-date=2 February 2023 |work=Dnevnik |date=9 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202160619/https://www.dnevnik.si/179020 |archive-date=2 February 2023 |language=sl |url-status=live}}

|-

| SLO 1

| Final

|-

! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="2" | {{Flagu|Spain}}

| rowspan="2" | TVE

| {{lang|es|La 2|i=unset}}, TVE Internacional

| Semi-final

| rowspan="2" | {{ill|Beatriz Pécker|es}}{{efn|The Spanish commentary in the final featured guest appearances from Massiel, Salomé, Karina, Betty Missiego, Azúcar Moreno and Son de Sol.}}

| rowspan="2" | {{cite news |title=TV – sábado, 20 mayo 2006 |url=https://hemeroteca.lavanguardia.com/preview/2006/05/20/pagina-8/48766731/pdf.html |access-date=2 February 2006 |work=La Vanguardia: Vivir |date=20 May 2006 |page=8 |language=es |url-access=subscription |archive-date=17 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117125029/http://hemeroteca.lavanguardia.com/preview/2006/05/20/pagina-8/48766731/pdf.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=TV – jueves, 18 mayo 2006 |url=https://hemeroteca.lavanguardia.com/preview/2006/05/18/pagina-8/48699212/pdf.html |access-date=2 February 2006 |work=La Vanguardia: Vivir |date=18 May 2006 |page=8 |language=es |url-access=subscription |archive-date=2 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202162146/https://hemeroteca.lavanguardia.com/preview/2006/05/18/pagina-8/48699212/pdf.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Las Ketchup: A Eurovisión a ritmo de 'Bloody Mary' |url=http://www.rtve.es/files/1013-324-FICHERO/Eurovision06PDF.pdf |publisher=TVE |access-date=2 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120031610/http://www.rtve.es/files/1013-324-FICHERO/Eurovision06PDF.pdf |archive-date=20 January 2022 |language=es, en |url-status=live}}

|-

| {{lang|es|La Primera|i=unset}}, TVE Internacional

| Final

|-

! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="2" | {{Flagu|Sweden}}

| SVT

| SVT1

| rowspan="2" | All shows

| Pekka Heino

| {{cite web |title=Edward af Sillén och Christer Björkman kommenterar Eurovision |url=https://media2021.melodifestivalen.se/post/edward-af-sillen-och-christer-bjorkman-kommenterar-eurovision |publisher=SVT |access-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228185516/https://media2021.melodifestivalen.se/post/edward-af-sillen-och-christer-bjorkman-kommenterar-eurovision |archive-date=28 February 2022 |language=sv |date=22 April 2021 |url-status=live}}

|-

| SR

| SR P3

| Carolina Norén

| {{cite book |last1=Thorsson |first1=Leif |last2=Verhage |first2=Martin |title=Melodifestivalen genom tiderna : de svenska uttagningarna och internationella finalerna |date=2006 |publisher=Premium Publishing |location=Stockholm |isbn=91-89136-29-2 |language=sv |pages=348–349}}

|-

! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="6" | {{Flagu|Switzerland}}

| rowspan="6" | SRG SSR

| SF 2

| Semi-final

| rowspan="2" | Sandra Studer

| rowspan="2" | {{cite news |title=TV/Radio – Samstag, 20. Mai 2006 |url=https://www.e-newspaperarchives.ch/?a=d&d=WAB20060520-01 |access-date=2 February 2023 |work=Walliser Bote |date=20 May 2006 |location=Brig, Switzerland |page=22 |language=de |via=e-newspaperarchives.ch |archive-date=24 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524162312/https://www.e-newspaperarchives.ch/?a=d&d=WAB20060520-01 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=TV/Radio – Donnerstag, 18. Mai 2006 |url=https://www.e-newspaperarchives.ch/?a=d&d=WAB20060518-01 |access-date=2 February 2023 |work=Walliser Bote |date=18 May 2006 |location=Brig, Switzerland |page=30 |language=de |via=e-newspaperarchives.ch |archive-date=24 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524162312/https://www.e-newspaperarchives.ch/?a=d&d=WAB20060518-01 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Aktuell, Eurovision Song Contest 2006 |url=http://www.sf.tv/sf1/eurovision/index.php |publisher=SF |access-date=2 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060623195745/http://www.sf.tv/sf1/eurovision/index.php |archive-date=23 June 2006 |language=de |url-status=dead}}

|-

| SF 1

| Final

|-

| TSR 2

| Semi-final

| rowspan="2" | Jean-Marc Richard and Alain Morisod

| rowspan="4" | {{cite news |title=Jeudi 18 mai |url=https://www.scriptorium.ch/zoom/325000/view?page=33&p=verso&tool=info&view=0,0,5132,3594 |access-date=2 February 2023 |work=TV8 |date=11 May 2006 |location=Zofingen, Switzerland |pages=64–70 |language=fr |via=Scriptorium}}{{cite news |title=Samedi 20 mai |url=https://www.scriptorium.ch/zoom/325019/view?page=13&p=verso&tool=info&view=0,0,2574,3551 |access-date=2 February 2023 |work=TV8 |date=18 May 2006 |location=Zofingen, Switzerland |pages=23–30 |language=fr |via=Scriptorium}}

|-

| TSR 1

| Final

|-

| TSI 2

| Semi-final

| rowspan="2" {{N/A|}}

|-

| TSI 1

| Final

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Turkey}}

| TRT

| TRT 1

| All shows

| Bülend Özveren

| {{cite news |title=TV Programları – 18 Mayıs 2006 |url=https://egazete.cumhuriyet.com.tr//Archive/CUMHURIYET/GAZETE_ARSIVI/2006/5/18/2499064E-CE01-404D-B4DE-75B89C39EC2F_3354348_16.jpeg |access-date=3 February 2023 |work=Cumhuriyet |date=18 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203082534/https://egazete.cumhuriyet.com.tr//Archive/CUMHURIYET/GAZETE_ARSIVI/2006/5/18/2499064E-CE01-404D-B4DE-75B89C39EC2F_3354348_16.jpeg |archive-date=3 February 2023 |page=16 |language=tr |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=TV Programları – 20 Mayıs 2006 |url=https://egazete.cumhuriyet.com.tr//Archive/CUMHURIYET/GAZETE_ARSIVI/2006/5/20/D90AD3E6-DE32-40F0-946B-DF48DC5A30E7_3354350_16.jpeg |access-date=3 February 2023 |work=Cumhuriyet |date=20 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203082535/https://egazete.cumhuriyet.com.tr//Archive/CUMHURIYET/GAZETE_ARSIVI/2006/5/20/D90AD3E6-DE32-40F0-946B-DF48DC5A30E7_3354350_16.jpeg |archive-date=3 February 2023 |page=16 |language=tr |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Yüksel |first1=Gülşen |title='Finlandiya Eurovision ruhunu bozdu' |url=http://arsiv.sabah.com.tr/2006/05/22/gny/gny128-20060522-200.html |access-date=3 February 2023 |work=Sabah |date=22 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225141313/http://arsiv.sabah.com.tr/2006/05/22/gny/gny128-20060522-200.html |archive-date=25 February 2014 |language=tr |url-status=live}}

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Ukraine|1992}}

| NTU

| {{lang|uk|Pershyi Natsionalnyi|i=unset}}

| All shows

| Pavlo Shylko

| {{cite news |title=Chetver, 18 travnya |script-title=uk:Четвер, 18 травня |url=http://tvp.netcollect.ru/tvps/Holos_Ukrayiny_2006_N3834_11.05_0013.jpg |access-date=3 February 2023 |work=Holos Ukrayiny |date=11 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203203220/http://tvp.netcollect.ru/tvps/Holos_Ukrayiny_2006_N3834_11.05_0013.jpg |archive-date=3 February 2023 |page=13 |language=uk |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Subota, 20 travnya |script-title=uk:Субота, 20 травня |url=http://tvp.netcollect.ru/tvps/Holos_Ukrayiny_2006_N3834_11.05_0015.jpg |access-date=3 February 2023 |work=Holos Ukrayiny |date=11 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203203223/http://tvp.netcollect.ru/tvps/Holos_Ukrayiny_2006_N3834_11.05_0015.jpg |archive-date=3 February 2023 |page=15 |language=uk |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Polishchuk |first1=Tatyana |last2=Katsun |first2=Julia |title=«Євробачення-2006» завоювали монстри |url=https://day.kyiv.ua/article/taym-aut/yevrobachennya-2006-zavoyuvaly-monstry |access-date=3 February 2023 |work=The Day |date=23 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203084648/https://day.kyiv.ua/article/taym-aut/yevrobachennya-2006-zavoyuvaly-monstry |archive-date=3 February 2023 |language=uk |url-status=live}}

|-

! scope="rowgroup" rowspan="3" | {{Flagu|United Kingdom}}

| rowspan="3" | BBC

| BBC Three

| Semi-final

| Paddy O'Connell

| {{cite news |title=The Eurovision Song Contest Semi-final – BBC Three |url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/f866628539b84bf7a4f0e55fccd4bd3a |access-date=2 February 2023 |work=Radio Times |date=13 May 2006 |via=BBC Genome Project |archive-date=2 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202113208/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/f866628539b84bf7a4f0e55fccd4bd3a |url-status=live }}

|-

| BBC One, BBC Prime

| rowspan="2" | Final

| Sir Terry Wogan

| {{cite news |title=The Eurovision Song Contest 2006 – BBC One |url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/45911f284db245e1aed72d42c3eb940d |access-date=2 February 2023 |work=Radio Times |date=20 May 2006 |via=BBC Genome Project |archive-date=2 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202113215/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/45911f284db245e1aed72d42c3eb940d |url-status=live}}

|-

| BBC Radio 2

| Ken Bruce

| {{cite news |title=Eurovision Song Contest – BBC Radio 2 |url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/922f98ffc9b3455caedbeefbac370b28 |access-date=2 February 2023 |work=Radio Times |date=20 May 2006 |via=BBC Genome Project |archive-date=2 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202113210/https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/922f98ffc9b3455caedbeefbac370b28 |url-status=live}}

|}

| {{N/A|}}

| {{cite web |last1=Kuipers |first1=Michael |title=Azerbaijan to debut in 2008? |url=https://esctoday.com/8730/azerbaijan_to_debut_in_2008/ |publisher=ESCToday |access-date=8 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719174813/http://esctoday.com/8730/azerbaijan_to_debut_in_2008/ |archive-date=19 July 2018 |date=17 May 2007 |url-status=live}}

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Czech Republic}}

| ČT

| ČT2{{efn|Delayed broadcast in a shortened format on 29 April 2007 at 02:00 (CEST).}}

| Final

| {{ill|Kateřina Kristelová|cz}}

| {{cite web |title=Eurovision Song Contest 2006 |url=https://www.ceskatelevize.cz/porady/10000000484-eurovision-song-contest/207542157170002/ |publisher=ČT |access-date=31 January 2023 |language=cs |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129083039/https://www.ceskatelevize.cz/porady/10000000484-eurovision-song-contest/207542157170002/ |archive-date=29 November 2022 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=2006 Eurovision Song Contest |url=http://www.ceskatelevize.cz/program/search.php?aktualnif=1&archivf=1&broad=207%20542%2015717/0002 |publisher=ČT |access-date=31 January 2023 |language=cs |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070524085605/http://www.ceskatelevize.cz/program/search.php?aktualnif=1&archivf=1&broad=207%20542%2015717/0002 |archive-date=24 May 2007 |url-status=dead}}

|-

! scope="row" | {{flagu|Falkland Islands}}

| BFBS

| BFBS 1{{efn|Deferred broadcast at 21:00 (FKT)}}

| Final

| {{N/A|}}

| {{cite news |title=BFBS Television programmes |url=https://nationalarchives.gov.fk/jdownloads/Penguin%20News/2006%20Apr-Jun.pdf |access-date=25 September 2024 |work=Penguin News Information Pullout |page=2 |date=20–26 May 2006 |location=Stanley, Falkland Islands |via=Jane Cameron National Archives}}

|-

! scope="row" | {{Flagu|Gibraltar}}

| GBC

| GBC TV

| Final

| {{N/A|}}

| {{cite web |last1=Granger |first1=Anthony |title=GBC Explains Eurovision Broadcasts From 2006 to 2008 |url=https://eurovoix.com/2019/05/09/gibraltar-gbc-explains-eurovision-broadcasts-from-2006-to-2008/ |publisher=Eurovoix |access-date=8 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125170033/https://eurovoix.com/2019/05/09/gibraltar-gbc-explains-eurovision-broadcasts-from-2006-to-2008/ |archive-date=25 November 2020 |date=9 May 2019 |url-status=live}}

|-

! scope="rowgroup" | {{Flagu|Serbia|2004}}

| RTS

| RTS 1

| All shows

| Duška Vučinić-Lučić

| {{cite news |title=TV program |url=https://istorijskenovine.unilib.rs/view/index.html#panel:pp{{!}}issue:UB_00064_20060518{{!}}page:8 |access-date=25 May 2024 |work=Borba |date=18 May 2005 |location=Belgrade, Serbia, Serbia and Montenegro |page=8 |language=Serbian |via=Belgrade University Library}}{{cite news |title=TV program – Subota |trans-title=TV programme – Saturday |url=https://istorijskenovine.unilib.rs/view/index.html#panel:pp{{!}}issue:UB_00064_20060520{{!}}page:8 |access-date=25 May 2024 |work=Borba |date=20–21 May 2005 |location=Belgrade, Serbia, Serbia and Montenegro |page=8 |language=sr |via=Belgrade University Library}}{{cite web |title=Eurovision Song Contest – Serbia & Montenegro withdraws from the 2006 Contest |url=http://www.ebu.ch/en/union/news/2006/tcm_6-43368.php |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060325075430/http://www.ebu.ch/en/union/news/2006/tcm_6-43368.php |archive-date=25 March 2006 |date=20 March 2006 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |title='Pesma Evrovizije' na RTS-u |url=http://www.rts.co.yu/euro/jedna_vest.asp?IDNews=488 |publisher=RTS |access-date=31 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060630192229/http://www.rts.co.yu/euro/jedna_vest.asp?IDNews=488 |archive-date=30 June 2006 |language=sr |date=25 April 2006 |url-status=dead}}

|}

• {{flagu|Australia}}{{snd}}Although Australia was not itself eligible to enter, the semi-final and final were broadcast on SBS, and took commentary from the BBC broadcast. As is the case each year, they were not however broadcast live due to the difference in Australian time zones. The final rated an estimated 462,000, and was ranked 21st of the broadcaster's top rating programs for the 2005/06 financial year.{{cite web|url=http://www20.sbs.com.au/sbscorporate/media/documents/842201_tv_and_online.pdf|title=Television and Online Content|publisher=SBS|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226233849/http://www20.sbs.com.au/sbscorporate/media/documents/842201_tv_and_online.pdf|archive-date=2008-02-26}}
• {{flagu|Azerbaijan}}{{snd}}Azerbaijan were willing to enter the contest but since AzTV applied for active EBU membership but was denied on June 18, 2007, they missed the contest and had to wait until they were accepted. Another Azerbaijan broadcaster, İctimai, broadcast the contest. It was a passive EBU member, and had broadcast it for the last 2 years. It was the only non-participating broadcaster this year to send its own commentators to the contest.
• {{flagu|Gibraltar}}{{snd}}Gibraltar screened only the final on GBC.
• {{flagu|Italy|2003}}{{snd}}Italy did not enter because RAI, the national broadcaster, is in strong competition with commercial TV stations and they believed that the Eurovision Song Contest would not be a popular show in Italy. They had not broadcast the contest in recent years, although an independent Italian channel for the gay community had shown it in 2003.{{cite web|url=https://www.eurofestivalnews.com/eurovision-song-contest-2006/|title=EUROVISION SONG CONTEST 2006|date=12 September 2016|publisher=eurofestivalnews.com|access-date=28 November 2020|archive-date=31 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831152634/https://www.eurofestivalnews.com/eurovision-song-contest-2006/|url-status=live}} Italy eventually rejoined in 2011, and has since enjoyed an upturn in fortunes.
• {{esc|Serbia|f=2004|y=2006}}{{snd}}Serbia and Montenegro was originally set to compete in 2006, before withdrawing after being unable to select an entry following a controversy at its national final. Despite this, Serbia's broadcaster RTS retained broadcasting rights, and viewers in Serbia were allowed to vote in both the semi-final and the final.

After the contest, EBU officials stated that the overall ratings for the semi-final were 35% higher than in 2005, and for the Final had risen by 28%.

In France, average market shares reached 30.3%, up by 8% over the 2005 figure. Other countries that showed a rise in average market shares included Germany with 38% (up from 29%), United Kingdom with 37.5% (up from 36%), Spain with 36% (up from 35%), Ireland with 58% (up from 35%) and Sweden, which reached over 80% compared to 57% the year previously.

Voting revenues had also risen from the previous contest, and the official Eurovision website, www.eurovision.tv, reported visits from over 200 countries and over 98 million page views, compared with 85 million in 2005.

ERT's net income from the Eurovision event amounted to €7.28 million, while the cost of the entire event reached €5.5 million, said on Thursday in a press conference the president of ERT, Christos Panagopoulos and the authorized consultant George Chouliaras, who stated: "The allegations about the waste of money of the Greek taxpayer do not apply. The Greek people did not pay a penny for the event. It was a commercial and profitable event and the money we spent was donor money".{{Cite web|url=https://www.in.gr/2006/05/25/culture/kerdismeni-dilwnei-i-ert-apo-ton-diagwnismo-tis-eurovision/|title=ERT's profit by hosting the Eurovision Song Contest|website=in.gr|language=el|date=May 25, 2006|access-date=20 November 2020|archive-date=18 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418185246/https://www.in.gr/2006/05/25/culture/kerdismeni-dilwnei-i-ert-apo-ton-diagwnismo-tis-eurovision/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://esctoday.com/6230/ert_2006_contest_profitable/|title=ERT: '2006 contest profitable'|website=EscToday|first=Sietse|last=Bakker|date=May 26, 2006|access-date=20 November 2020|archive-date=24 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524162402/https://esctoday.com/6230/ert_2006_contest_profitable/|url-status=live}}

According to G. Chouliaras, the revenues that ERT had from the event were €3.63 million from national sponsors, €2.2 million from tickets and €1.45 million from the share of international sponsors, advertising revenues outside sponsorships, sms, etc.

Regarding the costs paid by ERT for the event together with the EBU, it amounted to a total of €9 million, of which €5.5 million were paid by ERT and €3.5 million by the EBU. These costs include the costs for the television production, the production of the artistic program, the technical production, the payment of contributions, the organization of the competition and any other direct costs related to the organization of Eurovision 2006. It is also noted that ERT paid for the production of 47 commercials and their promotion during the semifinals and the final €3.5 million.

The president of ERT, Christos Panagopoulos, clarified, however, that the total cost does not include the shows that started in February for the advertising support of the event, for which he estimated that their cost will not exceed €1 million. He stated that in essence the net profit of ERT amounts to €745,000, which will be allocated for other cultural events.

It was also clarified that ERT did not pay anything to Anna Vissi, nor to Nikos Karvelas, as well as did not pay for the dress of Anna Vissi. Chouliaras stressed that all the participants in the event were paid at market prices and in particular Zeta Makrypoulia and Giorgos Kapoutzidis received €8–10,000 per month for their four-month employment, Sakis Rouvas €50,000 and Maria Menounos €45,000.

It was also clarified that the costs of the "promotour" of Anna Vissi are included in the total cost and that from these the transfers were covered by Olympic Airlines and the hotels, the cost of which amounted to €150,000, by the sponsors.

Regarding the future, Giorgos Chouliaras noted that "ERT should have a dynamic participation in the next Eurovision Song Contests and not devalue the institution, since it is a television product watched by 3.5 million Greeks".

In addition to the main winner's trophy, the Marcel Bezençon Awards and the Barbara Dex Award were contested during the Eurovision Song Contest 2006.

The Marcel Bezençon Awards, organised since 2002 by Sweden's then-Head of Delegation and 1992 representative Christer Björkman, and 1984 winner Richard Herrey, honours songs in the contest's final.{{cite web|url=http://poplight.zitiz.se/marcelbezenconaward/en|title=Marcel Bezençon Award - an introduction|publisher=Poplight|access-date=2009-06-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017033001/http://poplight.zitiz.se/marcelbezenconaward/en|archive-date=2013-10-17|url-status=dead}} The awards are divided into three categories: Artistic Award which was voted by previous winners of the contest, Composer Award, and Press Award.{{cite web |title=Marcel Bezençon Awards–Eurovision Song Contest |url=https://eurovision.tv/about/in-depth/marcel-bezencon-awards/ |website=eurovision.tv |date=2 April 2017 |access-date=19 March 2021 |archive-date=16 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716092347/https://eurovision.tv/about/in-depth/marcel-bezencon-awards/ |url-status=live }}

The Barbara Dex Award was a humorous fan award given to the worst dressed artist each year. Named after Belgium's representative who came last in the 1993 contest, wearing her self-designed dress, the award was handed by the fansite House of Eurovision from 1997 to 2016 and by the fansite songfestival.be from 2017 to 2021.

File:ESC 2006 album cover.jpg

Eurovision Song Contest: Athens 2006 was the official compilation album of the 2006 contest, put together by the European Broadcasting Union and released by CMC International on 28 April 2006. The album featured all 37 songs that entered in the 2006 contest, including the semi-finalists that failed to qualify into the grand final.{{cite web|author1=Sietse Bakker|title=Athens 2006 album available in stock now!|url=http://esctoday.com/5986/upd-_athens_2006_album_available_in_stock_now/|website=esctoday.com|publisher=ESCToday|access-date=5 November 2014|date=28 April 2006|archive-date=5 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105211634/http://esctoday.com/5986/upd-_athens_2006_album_available_in_stock_now/|url-status=live}}

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category|Eurovision Song Contest 2006}}

• {{Official website|http://www.eurovision.tv}}

{{Eurovision Song Contest 2006}}

{{Eurovision Song Contest}}

{{Eurovision Song Contest's Greatest Hits}}

{{Authority control}}

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2006

Category:Music festivals in Greece

Category:2006 in Greece

Category:2006 song contests

Category:Music in Athens

Category:Music of Greece

Category:Sakis Rouvas

Category:2000s in Athens

Category:May 2006 in Europe

Category:Events in Athens