The Israeli public broadcaster KAN has issued an apology to the Armenian broadcaster AMPTV after a mistake in its Eurovision coverage regarding the Armenian flag.
KAN has apologised to AMPTV after it used the flag of Azerbaijan instead of Armenia during graphics shown as part of its broader coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest. The error was met with strong criticism and complaints from Armenia due to the historic and ongoing difficulties in the relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The letter from KAN to AMPTV reads:
Dear Mr Hovhannes Movsisyan
I was delighted to meet you at the reception prior to the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude for the friendly relations between our organizations, as we both share a vital commitment to the mission of public broadcasting.
Further to our conversation, I wish to address the error made during a recent Kan news broadcast, in which the incorrect flag of your country was displayed.
In an investigation conducted by the news division, it was determined that this was a purely graphic error that occurred inadvertently and in good faith. We recognize that such an error should not have occurred, and we sincerely regret any misunderstanding it may have caused.
With my highest regards and respect,
Golan Yochpaz
SIMÓN performed “Paloma Rumba” for Armenia at Eurovision 2026, but failed to qualify for the final. Armenia placed 14th in their semi-final scoring 49 points including 12 points from the jury in Australia.
Source: AMPTV
Armenia in the Eurovision Song Contest+
Armenia debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2006 and has participated every year since, excluding 2012 and 2021. Armenia’s best results came in 2008 and 2014, when they finished 4th in the final. They have failed to qualify for the final on four occasions. Since their debut, they have finished in the top 10 in the final eight times.