Dutch broadcaster to boycott Eurovision again in 2027: ‘A platform for division’
Claude represented The Netherlands at Eurovision in 2025 (Image: Getty Images)
Dutch public broadcaster Avrotros has pulled out of the Eurovision Song Contest 2027, saying the competition “can no longer be considered neutral, with a participating country still involved in a large-scale military conflict”. The Netherlands’ participation as a whole has not yet been confirmed.
In a statement released on Monday, the broadcaster said the decision was driven by “a lack of clarity” from organiser the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) over how it assesses which countries can compete. It added: “The severe humanitarian suffering in Gaza and the ongoing restrictions on press freedom have contributed to increasing divisions surrounding the Eurovision Song Contest in recent years.”
Taco Zimmerman, director general of Avrotros, said the contest “was originally created to bring people and countries together” but had become “a platform for division”. He added: “It is undeniable that international conflicts are increasingly affecting the contest, undermining its neutral character.”
Zimmerman continued: “The Eurovision Song Contest has therefore become a platform for division. As a public broadcaster, we remain committed to our values.”
EBU rule change and response
Earlier this month, the EBU updated its rules to state that a winning country will be ineligible to host the following year if they are involved in an armed conflict.
Avrotros said the change does “not provide sufficient confidence that the independent and neutral character of the Eurovision Song Contest has been restored”.
Martin Green, director of the contest, said the EBU regretted Avrotros’s decision but respected its views. He told ESC Today: “We will now continue our dialogue with NPO, the umbrella organisation for Dutch public service media, regarding the opportunities for another broadcaster to participate. We very much hope that audiences and artists in the Netherlands can continue to be represented in the Eurovision Song Contest.”
What it means for Dutch participation
Eurovision 2027 is due to take place in Burgas, Bulgaria, with the Grand Final scheduled for 15 May.
Avrotros’s withdrawal does not necessarily rule out Dutch participation, since another public broadcaster could potentially take it on. NPO said it was “very sorry” to hear Avrotros had pulled out again, adding that it respected the decision and that it was too early to comment on next steps.
Both Avrotros and The Netherlands pulled out of the Eurovision Song Contest this year, alongside Spain, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia.
However the 2026 show was still broadcast in the country on NPO/NOS.
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