Eurovision News 
The Netherlands 
In the wake of the latest developments in the Netherlands regarding the forthcoming Eurovision Song Contest 2027 in Bulgaria and AVROTROS’ withdrawal from the competiton, ESCToday brings you a statement from the NPO.
ESCToday contacted NPO in order to shed more light on the potential Dutch Eurovision 2027 participation and where do things stand currently in the Netherlands after AVROTROS’ withdrawal from the competition.
AVROTROS has withdrawn from the ESC for a second consecutive year due to Israel’s participation in the contest and has handed over the responsibility of the Dutch Eurovision participation to the NPO. The ball now lies entirely in the hands of the NPO to decide on the country’s participation and delegate the participation to another Dutch public broadcaster.
NPO gave ESCTdoday the following statement:
We’re very sorry to hear this, but we respect AVROTROS’s decision not to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest next year either. We also recognize that the geopolitical tensions are having a divisive effect. That’s why this hasn’t been an easy decision for our colleagues. We will reflect on the upcoming edition and will come back to this at the right moment.
Hence from NPO’s statement we gather that the NPO is currently deliberating on the matter and evaluating all options, and will comment further when a decision is made.
AVROTROS withdrew from the Eurovision Song Contest in 2026 due to Israel’s participation along with Spain, Slovenia, Iceland and Ireland.
Eventhough the Netherlands didn’t compete at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna, the Dutch audience were able to watch the ESC 2026 on NPO/NOS.
ESCToday also contacted NOS and NTR for a statement regarding a potential Eurovision participation and in order to shed more light on the matter, both broadcasters have informed ESCToday that it is early days yet to comment anything on the matter and that the Dutch participation at the ESC lies in the hands of the NPO.
It should also be noted that the EBU is currently in talks with the NPO for another Dutch public broadcaster to compete at the Eurovision Song Contest 2027 in Burgas.
The deadline for broadcasters to send in their applications to the EBU for ESC 2027 has been set for mid September, herefater the broadcasters have a grace period to withdraw their applications until mid October without suffering a financial penalty.
