Eurovision heavyweights to boycott after Israel allowed to perform
www.abc.net.au
Public broadcasters in Spain, Ireland and the Netherlands say they will not participate in next year's event and more are expected to follow.
  • pelespirit@sh.itjust.works
    23·
    20 hours ago

    While Eurovision usually avoids politics, Russia was expelled from the contest following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and critics have argued that Israel should also be banned over its ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza, which has left over 70,000 people dead, per the Hamas-run health ministry. Israel has defended its campaign as a response to the deadly attack by militants on October 7, 2023, which left around 1,200 people dead.

    https://www.newsweek.com/eurovision-2026-countries-boycotting-israel-ireland-spain-withdraw-11158483

  • Ben Matthews@sopuli.xyzEnglish
    16·
    19 hours ago

    The money to run EV comes from the voters (paying per sms etc), as well as tv advertising. So in this situation it seems likely that many individuals will also choose to boycott it, choosing not to watch and not to vote. That might lead to a financial penalty for EBU, but at the same time this will distort even further the ‘results’ of what what may be considered one of the largest (albeit very biased) global experiments in democracy, especially for teenagers. Maybe an alternative can emerge ?

    • ohulancutash@feddit.ukEnglish
      4·
      18 hours ago

      The money for the Eurovision Song Contest comes from (smallest to largest) commercial exploitation via music sales, tour and merchandise, entry fees, extra contributions from the big 5 broadcasters, and (the vast majority) the host nation’s broadcaster.

      Ad boycotts would not have a material impact as even the big 5 pay a paltry sum in TV terms (no up-to-date numbers but the BBC contributes around £300k) so even the broadcasters who do run advertising wouldn’t miss out.