Eurovision News 
The Netherlands 
The Netherlands has lost its seat on the Eurovision Song Contest Reference Group, the executive committee overseeing the contest. This development follows the Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS’s decision to withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.
Dutch Head of Delegation Removed from EBU Committee
Claudia van der Pas, who served as the Dutch Head of Delegation, is no longer a member of the Eurovision Song Contest Reference Group. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) confirmed this decision to the ANP news agency, stating that the loss of the seat is directly linked to the Netherlands’ non-participation in the most recent contest, Eurovision 2026.
Van der Pas was initially elected to a two-year term on the Reference Group. Despite the withdrawal of Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS from Eurovision 2026 last December, the EBU granted her a special invitation, or ‘wildcard,’ to retain her position. However, this invitation expired in the summer of 2026, and the EBU chose not to extend it. An EBU spokesperson clarified that seats on the Reference Group are intended for delegation leaders who are actively performing their duties.
EBU’s spokesperson told NPO:
Claudia was elected as a representative of the heads of delegation. However, those seats are intended for heads of delegation who actively perform their duties. The Reference Group decided to move Claudia from an elected position to a wildcard position. This allowed her to remain involved with the Reference Group.
AVROTROS announced its withdrawal from the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, citing concerns that the event could no longer be considered ‘neutral’ amidst ongoing international conflicts and the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The broadcaster had previously urged the exclusion of Israel from the contest.
Looking ahead, the EBU is reportedly working on significant reforms, planning to replace the current Reference Group with a new ‘ESC Committee’ after the summer of 2027. This new committee aims to grant member national broadcasters greater authority in the contest’s strategic decision-making.
Despite the recent administrative changes, the Netherlands is set to return to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027, with public broadcaster NPO taking over participation from AVROTROS. NPO is currently assembling a new team of experts to manage the country’s upcoming participation.
