This morning word came out that Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS will not compete in Eurovision 2027. This does not necessarily mean that the Netherlands will not be in Eurovision 2027 in Burgas (Bulgaria) upcoming May.
AVROTROS will not compete
Dutch public broadcasting organization, AVROTROS, will not be in Eurovision 2027, but different from what people might think, this does not mean that the Netherlands will not be in Eurovision, as the Dutch TV organization, NPO, consists of more than one organization. This year (2026 season), for example, the NPO chose TV broadcaster, NTR, to broadcast and commentate on Eurovision. Which other organization will take-over the Dutch broadcast of the contest in the Netherlands is yet to be revealed, if there is one, we do know now that it will be not be AVROTROS.
Reasons for the AVROTROS to step back
The reasons for the AVROTROS to step back is because they do not feel that their TV ideology can be linked to the values of the contest, and subsequently to the ones of the European Broadcasting Union. Israel competing was this year’s reason for the AVROTROS to not compete in the contest in Vienna (Austria), and this Dutch TV organization now feels that nothing has changed, although the EBU came up with a set of new rules, like the winning country not being able to host the next contest when this country is in conflict. The AVROTROS also says that the Eurovision Song Contest is not transparent enough, which made them rule out a 2027 particpation.The AVROTROS was responsible for the Dutch Eurovision participation between 2010 and 2025, with the last contestant being Claude, who sang his song , “C’est la vie”, to a 3rd place (of 15) in Semi-final 1, and to 12th place (of 25) in the Grand Final.
The statement of the AVROTROS
Below you can find the full statement of Dutch national broadcaster AVROTROS.
“AVROTROS will not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027 because the event can no longer be considered neutral, with a participating country still involved in a large-scale military conflict. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are having a significant impact on the Contest and have led to deep divisions. Over the past year, AVROTROS has called on the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to establish transparent rules for the participation of countries involved in military conflicts. However, the recently announced changes by the EBU do not provide sufficient confidence that the independent and neutral character of the Eurovision Song Contest has been restored. Participation is therefore no longer consistent with the values of AVROTROS: trustworthiness, independence and humanity.
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. This is reflected in, for example, the decision of five countries not to participate in 2026, former winners returning their trophies, and more than 1000 musicians and cultural professionals calling on the EBU, in an open letter, to intervene. This underlines the need for a clear framework for assessing the participation of countries involved in military conflicts. Under which circumstances is participation compatible with a neutral Eurovision Song Contest, and when is it not? For AVROTROS, it remains unclear on what basis the EBU makes that assessment.
The Eurovision Song Contest was originally created to bring people and countries together. It is undeniable that international conflicts are increasingly affecting the Contest, undermining its neutral character. The Eurovision Song Contest has therefore become a platform for division. As a public broadcaster, we remain committed to our values. They guide us in everything we do, even when that means stepping away from an event that is very close to our hearts. That is painful as we would have very much liked to be part of the Contest again next year.”