Eurovision News 
The Netherlands 
The Dutch public broadcaster NPO recently announced its withdrawal from the Eurovision Song Contest 2027, citing ‘insufficient support’ among broadcasters and sensitivities surrounding current themes. However, it has now emerged that two major broadcasters, EO and WNL, had expressed their readiness to collaborate on a Dutch entry for the competition.
The Netherlands will not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2027. This decision was officially communicated by the Dutch public broadcaster NPO on 27 October 2026, just a month after they had initially confirmed their return to the contest. The NPO cited ‘insufficient support’ from other broadcasters and ‘sensitivities’ surrounding ongoing themes as the primary reasons for this withdrawal.
However, new information reveals that not all broadcasters were unwilling to participate. Both EO (Evangelische Omroep) and WNL (Wakker Nederland) had indicated their preparedness to collaborate on a Dutch Eurovision entry. According to NPO media director Jurre Bosman, discussions continued until Monday evening, exploring potential structures for participation.
Despite this willingness from individual broadcasters, NPO’s Executive Chairman, Jet de Ranitz, explained that ‘no good form’ was ultimately found for a collective Dutch participation. The NPO maintained that they would only send an artist or team to the festival if they could count on the full support of one or more broadcasters, ensuring they could properly convey the importance of music, culture, diversity, and connection.
The underlying ‘sensitivities’ largely revolve around Israel’s continued participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, a topic that has caused significant discussion and division among broadcasters and staff within the Netherlands. Over four hundred NPO employees had previously sent a letter expressing their objections to Dutch participation due to this issue.
While the Netherlands will not be competing in Eurovision 2027, the NPO has confirmed that it will still broadcast all three shows of the contest. The NOS will handle these broadcasts, including Dutch commentary and preview shows, ensuring that Dutch fans can still follow the event.
