Category: Ireland

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Ireland's national broadcaster says a return to the contest will be difficult unless the situation in the Middle East changes or Israel stays out. RTÉ has announced Ireland's continued boycott of Eurovision in 2027, raising a question among many fans worldwide: when and how could the country return to the contest?   (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The CEO of Ireland's national broadcaster RTÉ, Kevin Bakhurst, answered that question in a recently published interview. According to Bakhurst, it will not be easy for Ireland to return to the contest as long as the situation in the Middle East does not change, or as long as Israel takes part in Eurovision. Bakhurst said he had spoken with colleagues in the industry, and that several other countries that decided not to take part last year may make the same decision again next year. As the head of RTÉ, he said he feels the decision was easy for the national broadcaster to make,...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); RTÉ’s Eurovision boycott of Israel comes amid a financial crisis, following a scandal over secret payments and a wider debate in Ireland The decision by Ireland’s national broadcaster RTÉ to boycott Eurovision 2027 because of Israel’s participation has made waves across Europe and beyond. Ireland has sought to position itself as a champion of human rights, but questions remain over the motives behind the decision. The boycott cannot be viewed separately from the financial problems that have plagued Irish public broadcasting in recent years, including a major scandal involving the broadcaster’s management. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Human Rights Champions - or a Broadcaster Short of Money? Ireland withdrew from Eurovision 2026 amid strong opposition to Israel’s participation, and continued that approach for 2027. In August, RTÉ announced that Ireland would boycott the contest for a second consecutive year because Israel would take part. At the time of the announcement, Ireland was the only country...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); EBU regrets RTÉ’s Eurovision 2027 withdrawal but says Ireland’s return remains possible in future editions. Shortly after the Irish national broadcaster RTÉ announced that it would also withdraw from Eurovision 2027, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) published an official response to the decision. The EBU expressed regret over Ireland’s absence while emphasizing its respect for RTÉ’s decision. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Martin Green, Eurovision Director, said: “The European Broadcasting Union regrets that RTÉ will not participate in Eurovision 2027, but we fully respect its decision. We recognize its immense contribution to the Contest and will miss its presence, as it remains a highly valued member of the Eurovision family.” Green also addressed Eurovision’s role in connecting people and countries through music, noting that the competition is at its best when broadcasters and artists from different countries come together to share music, celebrate creativity and build connections between audiences. According to Green, Eurovision’s ability to “bring people...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); RTÉ will boycott Eurovision 2027 over Israel’s participation, while Ireland’s football commitments highlight a different approach to sporting events. RTÉ, Ireland’s national broadcaster, which already boycotted Eurovision 2026 following controversy surrounding Israel’s participation, will continue its policy and boycott Eurovision 2027. While other countries including Spain, Iceland, Slovenia and the Netherlands appear to be taking steps toward returning to the contest and ending their boycotts, Ireland - traditionally one of Europe’s most critical countries toward Israel - will continue its boycott, at least for now, standing alone. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Boycotting Israel - Only When It Is Convenient? Ireland is currently the only country to have announced a boycott of Eurovision 2027. It will not only refuse to compete in the contest, but will also refuse to broadcast it. In a statement, RTÉ explained the decision by saying that “participation cannot be justified while the killing and terrible humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues,...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Isabell Otrebus releases "Nightmare", an entry originally prepared for RTÉ's Irish Eurovision 2026 selection before the nation chose to boycott the contest. Singer Isabell Otrebus and Greek composer Nikos Sofis have revealed the song "Nightmare". The original track was written to compete in the Irish national selection for Eurovision 2026. However, the project was ultimately shelved following Ireland's dramatic decision to withdraw from the competition this year. Now, the song's release offers fans an intriguing glimpse into what could have represented the country (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Ireland is one of five nations that decided to boycott the contest this year due to Israel's participation. Despite the official stance from the Irish national broadcaster, it has emerged that several artists had already begun practical preparations for the season. Otrebus is well known to contest fans primarily for competing in the Polish national selection in 2017 and 2018. This year, she hoped to try...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Irish national broadcaster RTÉ, which had previously threatened to withdraw from Eurovision 2026 if Israel participated, officially announces its withdrawal following the confirmation of Israel’s participation in the contest. Ireland is known for its particularly strained Eurovision relations with Israel. The Irish national broadcaster, RTÉ, firmly opposed Israel’s participation along with several other countries and previously declared: “Our position is that Ireland will not participate in Eurovision 2026 as long as Israel continues to compete. The final decision on Ireland’s participation will be made after the EBU’s decision.” Following today’s general assembly of the European Broadcasting Union, where the new regulations were decisively approved and no separate vote to exclude Israel was held, Israel’s participation was confirmed and Ireland’s withdrawal officially declared. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Statement from Irish National Broadcaster RTÉ "Following today's EBU Winter General Assembly in Geneva at which Israel's participation in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest was confirmed, RTÉ's position remains unchanged. RTÉ...