The Netherlands Pulls Out of Eurovision 2026 as AVROTROS Says “Enough”
The Netherlands is out of Eurovision next year. AVROTROS has decided it won’t take part in 2026, and to be fair, the tone of the statement makes it clear this didn’t come as a sudden impulse but as the end of a long, exhausting process.
Over the past months, the broadcaster spoke to pretty much everyone: the Israeli ambassador, Amnesty International, the EBU, other European broadcasters, internal advisory bodies… even thousands of Dutch Eurovision fans who sent emails and letters. After all of that, AVROTROS concluded that participating now simply doesn’t sit with the values they’re supposed to defend as a public broadcaster.
It’s not dramatic, it’s not performative — it’s just a line they no longer feel they can cross.
The Turning Point
Back in September 2025, AVROTROS already hinted that the situation in Gaza, the pressure on press freedom, and the very visible political interference in the last Eurovision had pushed things beyond what they could accept.
From their perspective, letting KAN take part this year while all that is unresolved would undermine their credibility. Words like “independence” and “humanity” weren’t added for decoration.
What the EBU Admitted — And What It Didn’t Fix
The EBU did acknowledge that political interference happened during the previous edition, and it announced new measures. But none of that changes the fact that it happened.
And today, during the General Assembly, Israel was allowed to participate in 2026. The tension in the room didn’t magically dissipate. Several broadcasters made clear they are far from convinced the contest can call itself “neutral” anymore.
A Boundary That Stayed Firm
For AVROTROS, the combination of what happened last year and what continues in Gaza is enough to step back.
They don’t believe the situation has improved in a way that would justify joining the contest again — not yet.
“A Very Hard Call”
Taco Zimmerman, the director-general, didn’t try to dress it up. His statement sounded like someone who spent weeks wrestling with a decision he didn’t want to take:
“Eurovision matters to us. It brings people together, but not at any price. What happened last year crossed our boundaries. Values like humanity and free press aren’t negotiable. And the political interference we saw makes it difficult to pretend the contest is naturally independent or unifying. We have to stay true to our values, even when that’s uncomfortable.”
Dutch Viewers Won’t Lose Eurovision Entirely
AVROTROS won’t air the contest, but Dutch viewers aren’t left without access.
The NPO will ensure Eurovision 2026 is still broadcast in the Netherlands, though without the broadcaster that normally leads the delegation.
Meanwhile, inside the EBU, the nerves are showing.
Spain has left. Now the Netherlands has left.
Other broadcasters voiced concerns today.
And the next Eurovision, still months away, already feels weighed down by politics before the first song has even been selected.
Source: AVROTROS
