Finland: Anssi Autio Steps Away From UMK After 15 Years

Anssi Autio, the driving force behind Finland's successful Eurovision journey, has announced he is stepping away from his role as Executive Producer of UMK, the Finnish Eurovision selection show, after 15 incredible years.

Since its inception in 2011, UMK has undergone a remarkable transformation, thanks in large part to Anssi's vision and leadership. In recent years, the show has enjoyed a string of impressive results, including three top five finishes since 2021 and the selection of well-known singers to represent Finland at the contest.

Anssi expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to build UMK into a prestigious singing competition, saying: 'I am grateful for my role and for having been able to build UMK into a competition and entertainment program that has become one of the most prestigious singing competitions.'

As UMK 2027 approaches, fans are eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the show's history. The competition is set to take place on February 20 in Nokia Arena, Tampere, and applications for artists are now open on yle.fi/umk.

Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen represented Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 with 'Liekinheitin', finishing 6th in the final with 279 points. The success marks a significant milestone for Finland's Eurovision journey, which has seen the country finish last on 10 occasions and receive 'nul points' three times.

Finland's history in the Eurovision Song Contest is a rich one, dating back to 1961. From its first appearance alongside Spain and Yugoslavia to the country's landmark win in 2006 with Lordi's 'Hard Rock Hallelujah', Finland has consistently pushed the boundaries of musical excellence.