ORF, the Austrian public broadcaster, is celebrating an exceptionally successful broadcast of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. The 70th edition of the competition, held in Vienna, saw the broadcaster achieve its widest viewer reach yet, alongside impressive digital engagement and extensive accessibility initiatives.
ORF reaches 74% of Austrian population
The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 proved to be a massive hit for ORF, with the Grand Final attracting a total of 4.567 million viewers and an impressive 61% audience share in Austria. Over the entire period of ORF’s Eurovision programming, from April 24 to May 17, a staggering 5.604 million viewers tuned in, meaning approximately 74% of Austrians aged 12 and over watched at least part of the coverage.
These figures represent ORF’s best Eurovision ratings since Vienna last hosted the contest in 2015. The success extended beyond traditional television, with digital platforms and social media also achieving remarkable numbers.
Digital and Social Media Triumph
ORF’s Eurovision-related content generated approximately 100 million views across all its social media channels. Instagram alone accounted for 64 million views, while TikTok saw 36 million views. Popular posts included the ‘Stage Secrets’ reel, which garnered 7.7 million views, and the ‘Best of DARA’ post on TikTok, reaching 8.6 million views.
The dedicated Eurovision website, songcontest.orf.at, recorded over 13 million page impressions. Furthermore, ORF’s online video content, including live streams and video-on-demand, was streamed for over 66 million minutes, resulting in 7 million gross views from 1.8 million unique viewers.
Commitment to Accessibility and Innovation
ORF demonstrated a strong commitment to making the Eurovision Song Contest accessible to the widest possible audience. All broadcasts featured subtitles and audio descriptions, with Austrian Sign Language interpretation available on ORF 2 Europe and ORF ON. Sign Performances were pre-recorded and broadcast during the semi-finals and Grand Final, continuing ORF’s pioneering role in this service since 2015.
The broadcaster also ensured accessibility at all event venues, with comprehensive on-site services and the AI-powered ‘Accessify’ platform for deaf and blind attendees. The ORF Radio Symphony Orchestra Vienna played a special role, performing at the Opening Ceremony and the Grand Final Opening, and interpreting the official musical theme.
The 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest was held in Vienna’s Wiener Stadthalle from May 12 to 16, 2026, culminating in Bulgaria’s victory.
ORF Director General Ingrid Thurnher: „The ORF kept its promise and thrilled the world with shows at Vienna’s Stadthalle. This is not only evident in the extraordinary response after the final but also in the record ratings and social media reach in the millions. The ORF offered a comprehensive program across all media channels, which was exceptionally well received, and we are very proud of that. Furthermore, the ORF made the ESC accessible to everyone, thus fulfilling another important promise: hosting a Eurovision Song Contest that everyone will fondly remember.“
ORF Program Director Stefanie Groiss-Horowitz: “The record ratings vividly showcase the unifying power of the Eurovision Song Contest – in linear television as well as on ORF’s streaming platforms. The tremendous audience response is a great affirmation of the work done by the ORF team and shows that Vienna 2026 has set a strong, modern, and open-minded example for Austria. I’m especially pleased that we succeeded in combining the international diversity of the Eurovision Song Contest with Austrian and Viennese identity, setting new worldwide standards with the breathtaking stage and high-quality technical visualizations. Thus, we managed to create an event that will hold a special place in the history of the ESC.”
Harald Kräuter, Director of Technology and Digitalization at ORF: “The sensational success in the digital realm shows that we have fully transitioned to a multimedia platform and that the Eurovision Song Contest was also a mega-event online. With a record of 66 million usage minutes, streaming via ORF ON became the backbone of this major production. The figures prove: the Song Contest was watched everywhere – on smartphones and tablets or via streaming at numerous public viewings.”
Eva Schindlauer, Commercial Director of ORF: „The impressive reach and tremendous international attention demonstrate that the investment in quality, innovation, and collaboration within the framework of the Eurovision Song Contest has more than paid off. My heartfelt thanks go to all partners, sponsors, institutions, and supporters whose commitment significantly contributed to realizing the ESC in Vienna at this high level. This collaborative effort was the foundation for the smooth operation of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, which will have a lasting impact.“
Michael Krön, Executive Producer of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026: “It has only been a few days since the Eurovision Song Contest at Vienna’s Stadthalle, THE TV entertainment event of the year, took place, yet we can already draw a wonderful balance: We reached and delighted millions around the world with our breathtaking shows, fulfilled artists’ dreams of performing on one of Europe’s most modern and impressive stages, and gave Austria and Europe the opportunity to immerse in a world that appreciates tolerant and human, as well as artistic diversity.”
