With the Netherlands boycotting this year’s competition, just over 750,000 viewers followed the first Semi-Final of Eurovision 2026 live from Vienna, Austria.
Semi-Final One of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 was followed by an average audience of 541,000 viewers, with a total audience of 767,000 viewers across the more than 2 hour broadcast. This figure is down by 42% compared to the equivalent Semi-Final in 2025 in which the Netherlands did not perform. The Semi-Final appears to be at least the least viewed show since Semi-Final One of Eurovision 2012, when just over 1 million viewers watched the show.
Henry Schut and Jeroen Kijk in de Vegte commentated on the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 on behalf of NOS and NTR. AVROTROS has determined that it would not be appropriate for Cornald to commentate on the competition in 2026, as he is associated with the broadcaster that has withdrawn from the 2026 contest due to objections to Israel’s participation in the contest. They have however, clarified that Cornald will commentate again in 2027, should AVROTROS return to the contest.
Source: NMO
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”.