Just weeks after confirming plans to take part in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, Dutch broadcaster NPO has confirmed that it is no longer going to participate in the competition.
Plans dropped due to insufficient support
Following the decision to confirm participation in September, Dutch broadcasters across the NPO broadcasting network voiced their discontent at the move. On top of this, several employees at the NPO itself threatened to walk out should the participation go ahead.
Now, after weeks of discussions, the NPO has confirmed it will not be taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2027 after all. In a statement, the broadcaster claimed there was “insufficient support” from NPO member broadcasters to send an act to Bulgaria, due to the ongoing Israeli presence at the competition.
Jet de Ranitz, Chair of the Executive Board of the NPO, said:
We understand that this is a disappointment for everyone looking forward to a Dutch entry at the Eurovision Song Contest. As the NPO, we believe it is important to serve all Dutch people, including those who hold the Eurovision Song Contest dear and would like to see the Netherlands participate again. We are convinced that the Eurovision Song Contest belongs on public television, as one of the largest international cultural events centered on music, connection, and diversity.
In our coordinating role, we held discussions with the broadcasters to investigate whether there are any broadcasters willing to facilitate the participation of a Dutch artist. In those discussions, we initially felt there was sufficient support to return. Unfortunately, we were unable to find a suitable format for this. As a result, we must conclude that it is currently too early to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027. Due to the sensitivities surrounding the themes currently at play, we have decided to take a step back for the time being.
Meanwhile, Jurre Bosman – Media Director at the NPO – said that the corporation continues to listen to the viewers and staff of its broadcasters, understanding the sensitivity surrounding Israeli participation. He added that discussions and dialogues with the EBU are ongoing, and that the NPO wants to return to the Contest in a better climate. He finished:
We only want to send an artist or artists and staff to the festival if they can count on the full support of one or more broadcasters. Only in this way can they properly convey the importance of music, culture, diversity, and connection. We have to bear that responsibility together; therefore, after consultation with the Board of Broadcasters, the NPO has decided to forgo participation in 2027.
The Contest will still be broadcast by the NPO, being shown on NOS – in order to comply with legal obligations of showing the competition.
The 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 “De Vogels van Holland” 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.
Are you surprised about the sudden change in NPO’s stance? Will we ever see the Netherlands come back to Eurovision? Let us know your thoughts on social media and follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, Bluesky, and ZOOP for more information on Eurovision 2027!
News Source: NPO
Photo Credit: Anp / Hollandse Hoogte / Robin Utrecht
Cameron Merrill 
Thomas James