Netherlands withdraws from Eurovision 2027

The Netherlands will not participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, Dutch public broadcaster NPO said Tuesday, reversing its September decision to enter after consultations failed to secure sufficient support, according to NPO’s account. The contest will still be broadcast in the country, with NOS providing coverage. NPO said sensitivities and divisions surrounding Israel’s participation contributed to its decision. The broadcaster’s media director, Jurre Bosman, said Israel’s participation had prompted discussion and differing reactions in Dutch society. NPO executive chair Jet de Ranitz said the broadcaster had concluded it was too early for the Netherlands to take part in 2027. The reversal follows a change in responsibility for the Dutch entry. AVROTROS, which had previously selected the Netherlands’ Eurovision representative and broadcast the contest, announced in August that it would withdraw. It said the competition could no longer be considered neutral amid the war in Gaza and wider tensions surrounding Israel’s participation. NPO then took responsibility for the entry and announced in September that the Netherlands would participate, with an independent team...