Jan Slagter, the Head of Omroep MAX, has confirmed that the broadcaster will not take over responsibility for the Netherlands’ participation in the Eurovision Song Contest.

Having previously shown an interest in taking on responsibility for Dutch participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, Jan Slagter has confirmed that Omroep MAX has rejected taking on the contest. Speaking on RTL 4, Mr Slagter said that the contest “doesn’t suit us”, adding:

“When I watch it myself, I’m gone after three songs. I think it’s a lot of noise and a terrible racket.”

Omroep Max’s confirmation that they will not organise participation in the Eurovision Song Contest leaves six public broadcasters with EBU membership with the eligibilty to take on the contest:

NOS

NTR

ON

VPRO

WNL

Zwart

NOS and NTR are viewed as the most likely broadcasters to take over Dutch participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, with NOS having previously been responsible for participation up to 2009. While NTR was previously reponsible for Dutch participation in Eurovision Young Musicians and Young Dancers.

AVROTROS will not participate in Eurovision 2027 and will continue its boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest. In a statement released, AVROTROS stated:

“AVROTROS will not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027 because the event can no longer be considered neutral, with a participating country still involved in a large-scale military conflict. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are having a significant impact on the Contest and have led to deep divisions. Over the past year, AVROTROS has called on the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to establish transparent rules for the participation of countries involved in military conflicts. However, the recently announced changes by the EBU do not provide sufficient confidence that the independent and neutral character of the Eurovision Song Contest has been restored. Participation is therefore no longer consistent with the values of AVROTROS: trustworthiness, independence and humanity.

The severe humanitarian suffering in Gaza and the ongoing restrictions on press freedom have contributed to increasing divisions surrounding the Eurovision Song Contest in recent years. This is reflected in, for example, the decision of five countries not to participate in 2026, former winners returning their trophies, and more than 1000 musicians and cultural professionals calling on the EBU, in an open letter, to intervene. This underlines the need for a clear framework for assessing the participation of countries involved in military conflicts. Under which circumstances is participation compatible with a neutral Eurovision Song Contest, and when is it not? For AVROTROS, it remains unclear on what basis the EBU makes that assessment.”

Source: RTL

Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest+

The Netherlands debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1956 and has gone on to compete in all but four contests. The Netherlands has won the contest on five occasions; 1957, 1959, 1969, 1975 and most recently 2019. Prior to Duncan Laurence’s victory in Tel Aviv, the Netherlands had been waiting 44 years for their next victory. Duncan Laurence won the contest in Tel Aviv with the song “Arcade”.