AVROTROS, the Dutch national broadcaster, have announced ongoing participation discussions, ahead of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, in Vienna.

Ongoing discussions between AVROTROS and the EBU, the European Broadcasting Union, continue in regards to the future of the contest, with geopolitical influences being a big factor. Back on May 20th, both AVROTROS and NPO (another Dutch national broadcaster), issued the following statement:

“AVROTROS and NPO strong attach great importance to the apolitical and binding value of the Eurovision Song Contest. However, we see that the event is increasingly influenced by social and geopolitical pressures.

Israel’s participation confronts us with the question of the extent to which the Eurovision Song Contest still actually functions as an apolitical, connecting and cultural event. We want to make that question, together with other countries, discussable within the EBU.”

Let us know what you think about the Netherlands and the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest – either in the comments below or on our FACEBOOK, BLUESKY, TWITTER, YOUTUBE, INSTAGRAM and TIKTOK pages.

The Eurovision Community, which Eurovision Ireland are a part of, celebrates diversity through music. Please keep your comments respectful. We will not tolerate racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, body-shaming or any other derogatory or hostile language.

Author: Richard Taylor

Source: Eurovoix