Public broadcasters in Spain, Ireland and Slovenia have announced they will not broadcast this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
The decision comes ahead of the 70th anniversary edition of Eurovision, which is set to take place in Vienna and begins on Tuesday, with the grand final scheduled for Saturday, May 16th. Alongside the three broadcasters, the Netherlands and Iceland have also withdrawn from participation in this year’s contest.
The boycott has intensified controversy surrounding the ongoing war in Gaza.
Slovenian broadcaster RTV said it would replace the contest with alternative programming, stating: “Instead of the Eurovision circus, the national television programme will be coloured by the thematic programme series ‘Voices of Palestine’.”
Ireland’s RTE confirmed it would air alternative content during key Eurovision broadcasts, including a special programme featuring past Eurovision winner Niamh Kavanagh. Spain’s RTVE also plans to air a separate musical special instead of the live event.
Despite the withdrawals, broadcasters in the Netherlands and Iceland will still show the competition, even though both countries have stepped back from full participation.
This year’s edition will feature only 35 participating countries, the lowest number since the contest expanded in 2004. Austria has warned it could refuse to host the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if Israel is excluded from the competition.