The Netherlands will not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2027 in Burgas, Bulgaria, after all. Just one month after announcing the country’s return following a one-year absence, Dutch public broadcaster NPO has reversed its decision. The organization faced widespread criticism for independently deciding to participate in Eurovision 2027 despite opposition from all Dutch public broadcasters.
Following discussions with the broadcasters, NPO has concluded that there is currently “insufficient support to participate in 2027.”
In August, Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS announced that it would not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2027 due to Israel’s continued involvement in the competition. When none of the Netherlands’ 13 public broadcasters volunteered to take responsibility for the country’s entry, NPO unexpectedly decided to organize the Dutch participation itself.
It is important to mention that, other than most European countries, the Netherlands has a media house as a national broadcaster, also known as the NPO, meaning that more than one broadcaster provides shows over the three channels the NPO has.
Under the proposed arrangement, NOS would once again provide coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest, as it did during the previous edition. Meanwhile, NPO would oversee the selection and preparation of the Dutch Eurovision entry. However, the organization still needed the expertise and cooperation of other public broadcasters, all of which immediately declined to assist.
Dutch Broadcasters Criticize NPO’s Eurovision Decision
In the weeks following NPO’s unilateral decision to participate in Eurovision 2027, seven Dutch broadcasters sent a letter to NPO’s Executive Board questioning the decision.
The broadcasters demanded clarification regarding the decision-making process, financing, and organization of the Netherlands’ Eurovision participation. They also wanted to know whether the country could still withdraw from the contest.
Two weeks ago, approximately 400 of the roughly 4,500 employees working for Dutch public broadcasters signed another letter expressing their opposition. The employees strongly criticized the decision, stating that they could not accept a desire to participate in an entertainment program being given greater importance than the countless lives of people being killed.
Despite the broadcasters’ refusal to provide expertise and the growing criticism from both organizations and employees, NPO repeatedly stated that it would continue discussions with all parties involved.
NPO Executive Board Chair, Jet de Ranitz, was scheduled to meet with the protesting broadcasting employees this coming Monday. However, just days before that meeting, NPO announced that the Netherlands would withdraw from Eurovision 2027.
NPO Refuses to Force NTR to Organize Dutch Eurovision Entry
Dutch public broadcaster NTR, part of the umbrella organization NPO, has a legal responsibility to provide programming that fills gaps left by other broadcasters. This meant that NPO could have assigned NTR the responsibility of organizing the Netherlands’ participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2027. However, Jet de Ranitz confirmed that NPO had deliberately decided against this option. “We have not done that,” De Ranitz stated.
She explained that the controversy surrounding Eurovision participation had become too divisive to justify forcing a broadcaster to take responsibility for the Dutch entry. About this NPO Executive Board Chair, Jet de Ranitz, said the following:
“If we conclude that the issue is so sensitive that it causes such divided reactions, I believe it would be irresponsible to require a broadcaster to organize the 2027 participation.”
Netherlands to Miss Eurovision for Second Consecutive Year
The Netherlands’ withdrawal from Eurovision 2027 marks only the second time in 25 years that the country will not participate in the competition.
The country also withdrew from the previous Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, marking its first absence in that period. That decision followed a boycott over Israel’s participation in the contest.
NPO’s reversal represents a significant setback for Jet de Ranitz, who became Chair of the organization’s Executive Board in January.
Her original decision to organize a Dutch Eurovision entry without the support of any public broadcaster created tensions within the Dutch broadcasting system. The subsequent letter from approximately 400 employees, representing a relatively small proportion of the public broadcasting workforce, further intensified the controversy.
Ultimately, the lack of cooperation from broadcasters and the continued opposition from employees led NPO to abandon its plans for the Netherlands’ Eurovision 2027 comeback.
Eurovision 2027 to Take Place in Burgas, Bulgaria
The Eurovision Song Contest 2027 will take place in Burgas, Bulgaria, with the Grand Final scheduled for Saturday, May 15, at Arena Burgas.
The two semifinals will be held on Tuesday, May 11, and Thursday, May 13.
Although the Netherlands will not send an artist or song to Eurovision 2027, Dutch viewers will still be able to watch the competition. NOS will continue to broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest in the Netherlands despite the country’s withdrawal.