Woe Vienna? Boycotts and blackouts mar buildup as Eurovision 2026 begins

"Due to boycotts over the inclusion of Israel, the musical extravaganza will take place without Spain and the Netherlands, traditionally Eurovision's fifth and sixth largest financial contributors, Ireland, the joint record-holder with most winning contributions, Slovenia and Iceland. It is an unprecedented moment in the contest's seven-decade history and could have long-term consequences for a spectacle under pressure to justify its costs in a time of cuts to public broadcasters."

"In the long term, financing Eurovision is going to become harder and harder as publicly funded broadcasting is coming under attack everywhere across Europe, said Irving Wolther, a cultural historian and long-running observer of the song contest. In that context, the political rows don't help, of course. The 2025 grand final in the Swiss city of Basel was watched by a record 166 million people across the globe, but last year's 3 million year-on-year growth in viewing figures is likely to be annulled by the fact that this year's contest is subject to a media blackout in some of the countries engaged in a boycott over Israel's inclusion."

"The finale will not be broadcast in Ireland, Slovenia and Spain, where just under 5.9 million viewers tuned into the spectacle in 2025. Instead, the Spanish broadcaster RTVE will screen its own musical special, while viewers in Ireland will be treated to the animated family comedy Mummies and those in Slovenia to a series of progr"

Eurovision’s 70th anniversary in Vienna is expected to deliver limited euphoria beyond onstage power ballads as boycotts over Israel’s participation exclude Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia, and Iceland. The contest’s seven-decade history faces an unprecedented disruption that could have long-term effects on a costly spectacle. Financing is expected to become harder as publicly funded broadcasting faces increasing attacks across Europe. While the 2025 final in Basel drew a record 166 million viewers, growth may be erased by media blackouts in boycotting countries. The finale will not be broadcast in Ireland, Slovenia, and Spain, with alternative programming provided instead.

Read at www.theguardian.com