The Netherlands won't be taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027

The Netherlands will not take part in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027. After consulting the College of Broadcasters, the NPO has decided to put participation on hold for now. According to the public broadcaster, there is currently not enough support among the broadcasters to organize an entry. NU.nl had already reported earlier that the broadcasters were unwilling to cooperate with the plan to make participation possible after all.

The decision follows weeks of uncertainty. Never before has there been this much back and forth over the Dutch entry: first no, then yes, and now no again. After the NPO announced it wanted to take part after all, a storm of criticism broke out. More than 400 employees of various broadcasters wrote an open letter to the NPO under the slogan #NietMijnSongfestival (#NotMyEurovision). NU.nl writes that the NPO had thereby saddled itself with an especially tricky task.

NPO chair Jet de Ranitz says she understands that the news is a disappointment for fans. According to her, there was initially enough support to return, but no good way could be found to make it happen. Partly because of the sensitivities surrounding the topic, she thinks it is too early to return in 2027.

NPO Media director Jurre Bosman points to Israel's participation, which is causing debate and division in society, and also among broadcasters and staff. The NPO only wants to send artists and staff to the contest who can count on the full backing of one or more broadcasters. Bosman says: "We will keep talking with the EBU about the future of the Song Contest. We're convinced that the event can become a place of music and connection again, where there is room to discuss social issues."

Notably, the NPO is not bringing in the NTR either. Under the Media Act, that broadcaster has the legal task of filling gaps in programming, and could therefore have been designated to handle the entry. De Ranitz considers that irresponsible: if the subject is so sensitive that it provokes such divided reactions, she doesn't want to force any broadcaster to take on the organization for 2027.

For Dutch Eurovision fans, little will change on screen. The Eurovision Song Contest will remain on the public broadcaster: just like this year, the NOS will air the semi finals and the final with Dutch commentary. Only a Dutch entry of its own will be missing in 2027.