Slovenian Broadcaster Replaces Contest with Palestinian Films
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's public broadcaster, RTVSLO, has announced it will not be airing the Eurovision Song Contest this year. The decision is a direct protest against the European Broadcasting Union's (EBU) inclusion of Israel in the competition.
Instead of the live shows from Vienna, the broadcaster will dedicate its airtime to a series of films and documentaries titled 'Voices of Palestine'. The move was confirmed by RTV Slovenia’s director, Ksenija Horvat, in a statement to the Associated Press.
This follows Slovenia's earlier decision to withdraw from participating in the contest, meaning the country will neither send an artist nor broadcast the event.
A Growing Movement Among Broadcasters
Slovenia is the latest country to take a firm stance on the issue, joining a growing list of European nations expressing their discontent. Both Ireland and Spain have also confirmed a full boycott, refusing to either participate or broadcast the 2026 contest.
The decision by Spain's broadcaster, RTVE, is particularly significant as Spain is one of Eurovision's 'Big Five' nations. These countries are the largest financial contributors to the EBU and are guaranteed a spot in the final. RTVE officials cited that the contest's mission of neutrality had become "impossible to maintain" in the current climate.
The Netherlands' Position
For viewers in the Netherlands, the situation is slightly different. The Dutch broadcaster, NPO, has also withdrawn its national entry from the competition as a form of protest. However, as of now, NPO is still scheduled to broadcast the semi-finals and the grand final. Iceland's broadcaster, RÚV, has taken a similar position.
The 2026 Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled to take place in Vienna, Austria, from May 12-16, following the victory of Austrian singer JJ in the previous year's competition.
