🇫🇮 Mikko Silvennoinen appointed as UMK’s new Executive Supervisor

Mikko Silvennoinen, who has been a commentator for UMK and Eurovision, is now the new Executive Producer of UMK. He has been the Finnish commentator for Eurovision since 2016 and has commentated on UMK since 2017.

Who is Mikko Silvennoinen?

Mikko was a commentator for Eurovision from 2016 and then started commentating on UMK in 2017. In his career, he started working in 1995 on a show called Jyrki as a presenter while he was 18. Across his career, he has presented and commented on many different shows, such as doing the Finnish commentary for the Academy Awards (Oscars), Kuka, mitä, häh? (2007) and Yle Olohuone (2020). He has worked as a producer on many shows such as So You Think You Can Dance Finland, Finland’s Next Top Model and Kalle – Chef on the Beach.

I am looking forward to the autumn, new plans and the fact that we will be able to build UMK’s next big thing together.” – Mikko Silvennoinen

About UMK 2027?

UMK has announced more than just a new Executive Director, with the show being set to start on the 20th of February 2027. The show is set to be held in the Nokia Arena in Tampere. No changes to the voting or formatting of the show have been announced yet; however, UMK 2026 had a voting split of 75% public vote / 25% international jury and featured 7 competing artists in the final.

Finland’s Eurovision Journey

Finland debuted in the 1961 Eurovision Song Contest, finishing 10th with Laila Kunnunen’s “Valoa ikkunassa.” Since then they have competed 56 times, and appeared in the final 48 times. Finland has finished in the top 10 an impressive 14 times. They have won the contest once in 2006, with Lordi’s performance of “Hard Rock Hallelujah” getting 292 points.

Finland’s most recent entry was “Liekinheitin” by Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen. Competing in the first semi-final, Linda and Pete qualified for the final, and would eventually finish in 6th place with 196 points. Of these, 138 came from the televote, while the jury awarded them 141 points.

Source: Yle

Photo credit: Yle