AVROTROS Remains Silent on Eurovision 2026 Amid Talks with EBU Over ‘Geopolitical Influences’
With Eurovision 2026 set to land in Vienna, the Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS has surprised fans by keeping unusually quiet about the Netherlands’ plans for next year’s contest. The reason? The broadcaster has confirmed that it is still in active discussions with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) over what it calls “geopolitical influences” shaping the competition.
In a statement to the Dutch press agency ANP, AVROTROS explained:
“As long as these talks are ongoing, we won’t be giving any further information.”
This silence means that no details have been shared regarding the number of Dutch entries submitted, the potential format of a national selection, or any plans for artist announcements.
The Bigger Picture: Eurovision’s Geopolitical Dilemma
According to an AVROTROS spokesperson, concerns were raised immediately after the Eurovision 2025 final in Basel:
“After the final, we directly expressed our worries about the future of Eurovision and, in particular, the growing geopolitical influences. We’ve been in talks with the EBU and other countries ever since, discussing how to preserve the contest’s unifying spirit.”
These discussions have intensified following the ongoing debate around Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026. The EBU has confirmed that a final decision on Israel’s involvement will not be made until winter, giving broadcasters like AVROTROS more time to assess their positions.
Slovenia Threatens Withdrawal
The tension isn’t limited to the Netherlands. Slovenia has already hinted that it could pull out of Eurovision 2026 entirely if Israel is allowed to compete, citing the ongoing war in Gaza.
Although the EBU insists that Eurovision remains “non-political”, growing divisions among member broadcasters suggest that Vienna 2026 could be one of the most politically charged contests in recent years.
What’s Next for the Netherlands?
For now, AVROTROS is keeping its cards close to its chest, refusing to reveal whether the Netherlands plans to make any structural changes to its selection process or even confirm the number of submissions.
Fans, meanwhile, are left to speculate whether the broadcaster is simply waiting for clarity from the EBU — or preparing to make bigger decisions based on the geopolitical outcome later this year.
One thing is certain: Eurovision 2026 is shaping up to be far from business as usual.
Source: AVROTROS/RTL
