Weeks after suggesting that it may take over organising duties for Eurovision, Dutch broadcaster Omroep MAX has confirmed it is no longer interested in leading the Netherlands’ Eurovision participation.
Eurovision ‘doesn’t fit MAX demographic’
Speaking to Dutch news outlet AD, MAX director-general Jan Slagter said that Eurovision did not fit in with the target demographic of its viewers, which are largely in the 50+ age bracket. He also slammed the Contest personally, saying he would not want to be held responsible for the competition in the country:
If I look at myself: at the last Song Contest, I saw maybe three or four songs and then I switched off. I tune in again for the voting, because I do want to see that. But it is such a racket, it is such a din. It has nothing to do with a Song Contest anymore.
It is a circus. It is even a bit vulgar at times. And that is not what my target audience is waiting for. I begrudge no one in the Netherlands the Song Contest, but we are not the right broadcaster to air it.
Slagter also hit out at AVROTROS, after it rescinded organising duties for Eurovision after the 2026 boycott. He said that AVROTROS could have maintained its position while still confirming a return to the Contest for 2027. Jan also expressed his sadness for Dutch artists interested in taking part in the competition, saying the opportunity to perform in front of millions was now “being denied” of them.
A new option?
NPO, which is currently responsible for Eurovision in the Netherlands, has not yet made a public decision on whether it will take part in the Contest next year. However, a new option has been brought forward from production company Talpa.
The network suggested on Wednesday (September 2nd) that it would be willing to organise a national final to select a possible Dutch entry for the competition, according to RTL Boulevard. The company has previously organised selection shows, including the most recent edition in 2012. NPO has neither confirmed nor denied the decision to use a televised national selection, but offered a statement:
We thank the colleagues at Talpa for the offer and for thinking along.
Meanwhile, several other broadcasters have confirmed they will not take on organising duties for the Eurovision Song Contest – both due to solidarity and a mismatch in the stations’ demographic.
Netherlands’ Eurovision journey
The Netherlands are one of the founding countries of the ESC, having performed the very first song ever on the Eurovision stage back in 1956. While the result of βDe Vogels van Hollandβ is unknown, the Netherlands have garnered 5 wins, with their most recent in 2019. However the Netherlands are also known to have had the longest ever non qualification streak in the semi-final era – they missed out on the final a whopping 8 times between 2005 and 2012.
Claude represented the Netherlands in 2025 with the song “C’est La Vie”. Competing in the first semi-final, he eventually qualified for the final in Basel. In the final, the Netherlands would eventually finish in 12th place with 175 points. 133 of these points came from the juries, while the remaining 42 came from the televote.
Do you think the NPO will find a willing broadcaster to take on Eurovision responsibilities? Will we continue to see the Dutch stay out of Eurovision next year? Let us know your thoughts on social media and follow βThat Eurovision Siteβ on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, Bluesky, and ZOOP for more information on Eurovision 2027!
News Source: ad.nl / RTL.nl
Photo Credit: MAX
Thomas James 
Tim J