Overview
- Iceland’s RÚV withdrew on the final confirmation day, citing public division and concluding it could not deliver the event’s usual sense of joy and peace.
- RÚV’s move follows exits by Spain’s RTVE, the Netherlands’ Avrotros, Ireland’s RTÉ and Slovenia’s RTV, all protesting Israel’s inclusion.
- RTVE will not broadcast the semifinals or final, with Spanish viewers directed to Eurovision’s official YouTube stream and their votes counted in the “rest of the world” category.
- The EBU has asked non-participating members to return and plans to publish a final list of competing nations before Christmas.
- The departures, including Spain from the contest’s Big Five, raise risks for audience reach and advertising income.