Public broadcasters in Spain, Ireland and Slovenia, three of the countries that withdrew from the Eurovision Song Contest, reconfirmed on Monday that they will not broadcast the anniversary edition of the competition, which they are boycotting because of Israel's participation, according to AFP.
The three nations, along with the Netherlands and Iceland, have decided not to participate in the 2026 edition, which is being held this week in Vienna.
“Instead of the Eurovision circus, the national television program will be colored by the thematic series “Voice of Palestine”, declared the Slovenian television RTV.
On Thursday, when the second semi-final of Eurovision 2026 takes place, Irish broadcaster RTE will broadcast 'The End of the World with Beanz', in which 1993 Eurovision winner Niamh Kavanagh experiences the life of reindeer herders in Norway.
During the Eurovision final, the television will air a Eurovision-themed episode of 'Father Ted', a popular Irish sitcom from the 1990s.
Also then, the Spanish channel RTVE will broadcast “House of Music”, which it describes in an official statement as a serial version of its special New Year's Eve music show.
Instead, public broadcasters in Norway and Iceland will broadcast Eurovision even if the countries have withdrawn from the contest.
35 countries will participate in Eurovision 2026, the 70th edition of the European music contest. It is the lowest number since the format was expanded in 2004, following five withdrawals.
When Romania enters the contest
Alexandra Căpitănescu and her bandmates, who will represent Romania with the song “Choke me”, will perform in the second semi-final on Thursday, May 14. The first takes place on Tuesday, May 12. The grand final will take place on Sunday, May 16.
The artist said of her controversial track 'Choke Me' that it was a 'personal manifesto'. “It's a very honest story, about the fragile balance between falling and coming back,” Romania's representative at Eurovision 2026 told HotNews.
Romania's best rankings were the 2nd place, occupied twice (Luminiţa Anghel & Sistem – Kiev, 2005; Paula Seling and Ovi – Oslo, 2010), respectively the 4th position (Mihai Trăistariu – Athens, 2006).
