RTVE is still considering Eurovision 2027 participation, potentially ending Spain’s boycott despite Israel’s confirmed participation.
The developments surrounding Spain’s participation in Eurovision 2027 continue, with the possibility of the country returning to the contest still open. The latest information comes after Spain boycotted Eurovision 2026 following the approval of Israel’s participation in the competition.
According to Spanish journalist Jordi Ramos, who reported on the developments, Spanish media analyst Rocco Steinhäuser addressed the issue during the Spanish program “Versió RAC1” and estimated that the current probability of RTVE returning to Eurovision stands at 55%.
According to Steinhäuser, there is an intention within RTVE to participate in Eurovision 2027, meaning that Spain’s return to the contest remains a realistic possibility. However, he noted that if RTVE ultimately decides against participation, he believes this would largely be the result of influence from the Spanish government.
RTVE Delays Eurovision 2027 Discussion
The latest information comes shortly after developments within RTVE’s Board of Directors. The discussion regarding Eurovision 2027, which had been scheduled for Wednesday, September 16th, was postponed and is expected to return to the agenda at the Board of Directors’ next meeting.
RTVE also requested an additional extension from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to make its decision. Therefore, the absence of a decision at this stage does not indicate a Spanish withdrawal from the competition.
The original deadline for deciding on participation in Eurovision 2027 was September 15th. However, the possibility of withdrawing from the competition remains open even after that date under arrangements with the EBU. Other countries have also been granted extensions to make their decisions regarding participation in the contest.
Public Backlash and Political Inquiries
According to a report by the RTVE Ombudsman, more than 100 public inquiries dealt directly with the Eurovision Song Contest, with the vast majority focusing on the broadcaster’s controversial decision to boycott the event.
Out of the inquiries received, 96 were official complaints heavily criticizing RTVE’s decision not to participate or broadcast the 2026 contest, making Eurovision the largest subject of complaints against the Spanish national broadcaster for the quarter.
The second most prominent issue, with 95 official complaints, was RTVE’s allegedly biased coverage of the “Sumud Flotilla” to the Gaza Strip, led by the daughter of the 2009 Swedish participant, Greta Thunberg.
As a reminder, RTVE announced a complete withdrawal from Eurovision 2026 last December and declared it would not broadcast the competition at all, in protest of the EBU’s refusal to expel Israel. This extreme move is not disconnected from the internal political context: the Spanish government, led by Pedro Sánchez, relies on a coalition with far-left parties and maintains a harsh diplomatic line against Israel.
This conduct by the national broadcaster recently led to the establishment of a commission of inquiry in the Spanish Senate, designed to investigate politicization and government involvement in the boycott decision. Surprisingly, while the Senate investigates RTVE’s biases, the EBU chose to back the Spanish broadcaster, expressing “deep concern” over the inquiry, citing a breach of broadcast independence. Currently, it appears that these political struggles and alleged hypocrisies not only hurt the Spanish audience but also directly impact the European production budget and burden the other participating nations.
Spain has not yet decided whether it will participate in 2027 or continue to boycott the contest, but so far, it has not altered its rigid stance, which aligns with the hostility of the Spanish Prime Minister towards Israel.
Spain in Eurovision 2025
“Esa Diva” (in English: “That Diva”) is the title of the song performed by singer Melody, who represented Spain at Eurovision 2025 in Basel, Switzerland.
Spain finished 24th with 37 points – 27 points from the juries, placing 21st, and only 10 points from the televotes, placing 22nd. In the last 20 years, Spain managed to finish only 3 times in the top 10.
Eurovision 2025: This was Spain’s 65th participation in Eurovision. Spain joined the competition in 1961 and won it twice consecutively in 1968 and 1969. Spain has hosted the contest on its territory only once in 1969 and since then holds the longest waiting time since its last victory – 56 years.
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A writer and content creator with a strong specialization in the Eurovision scene, particularly across Eastern Europe and post-Soviet countries. His work highlights the artistry, storytelling, and cultural variety that define the contest, offering readers a deeper look into both established performers and emerging voices.
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