RIP Eurovisie. I was good while it lasted but I shall not be following along this season.

Good luck in Jerusalem 2027

Apparently Portugal and even Sweden are considering withdrawal too lmfso

I have very little motivation to follow along now.

Except for any further news-worthy events that occur, it's still interesting to me on that level, but I have absolutely no desire to engage with the EBU's sham at 'peace and inclusion' while letting Israel completely off from their soft power exploitation and obfuscation.

the more countries that withdraw the better

RIP Eurovision

Oh Portugal stayed

My friend and I watch Eurovision each year. But as Israel have not been banned, we are boycotting it until sanity prevails.

Yeah I won’t be watching this year, I hope more drop out

2 hours ago, Liаm said:

Spain, Ireland and Slovenia gone too and it looks like Iceland will follow. RIP Eurovision.

Icelans said it will continue I think.

This is it. The EBU killed it for money. I hope more withdraw. Ridiculous half-measures.

I’m pretty sure the ones who have already withdrawn are already 25-30 million viewers gone 💀

Belguim out now aswell.

I hope more countries follow suit and make the ebu see what a mistake they have made.

Ireland also confirmed they won't air the contest in addition to our official withdrawal.

This feels like a real crisis for EBU and dare I say, could be the beginning of the end for the contest. I know there's been withdrawals before for political reasons, but none on this scale. There's just no way they can preach unity and love when they are cowing to a genocidal nation that's giving them some nice funding.

I'm glad to see the withdrawals and I hope it continues to keep putting pressure on. Not certain I'll follow myself which is gutting as I've loved the contest over the years, but the thought of Jerusalem 2027 is just horrendous to think of.

56 minutes ago, Padamic_Tension said:

Belguim out now aswell.

I hope more countries follow suit and make the ebu see what a mistake they have made.

Ireland also confirmed they won't air the contest in addition to our official withdrawal.

Don’t think this has been confirmed anywhere?

The decision today has felt inevitable for a while now but gutting all the same. Feels like a real death of the contest and I think it’ll take a lot for it to come back from it - I don’t even think just Israel not taking part in 2027 would restore justice, faith and trust in anyone following the contest knowing how corrupt the EBU now feel.

As someone’s who’s attended the last 3 contests and it’s been some of the best moments of my life and to be a part of such a fun community celebrating something so joyous for those years has been very special, so this all feels extremely sad to me.

Shame. Bye.

You have to question who on earth is going to put themselves forward for this shit show. Like, what British artist for example, will think this is a good look for their reputation.

Does “genocide” wash nicely with the A*Teens brand? KEiiNO alienating half of their fan base just for a second shot at Eurovision? I wouldn’t touch this contest with a bargepole right now and neither would any artist with a crumb of self respect.

I’d be surprised if we get through National Final season without a winner or two backing out after victory and I imagine we’ll have multiple artist pullouts from NF’s too.

A shit show on all fronts. God, I’m angry.

I’ve felt quite icky about Eurovision for the last two years. Liverpool was amazing in 2023 and a great last hurrah for Eurovision - the contest as I knew it and that I loved dearly for 25 years. But actual Eurovision week and particularly the final has been completely marred by Israel for two years and while I’ve loved national final season as usual, the contest itself has felt different - darker and less joyous. I’m upset but not surprised at what has happened today. Israel will no doubt win with a huge swell of support from those that back them and things will get even worse.

Melodifestivalen and Sanremo are national institutions and will carry on regardless just without Eurovision as the prize. And I will continue to follow them, particularly the former which I love more than Eurovision in many ways and really enjoy going to watch live when I get the chance.

I wouldn’t blame a national final winner for backing out of Eurovision though - it definitely isn’t a good look to be affiliated with the brand right now. A dark day for the contest, very sad.

1 hour ago, RobBot said:

You have to question who on earth is going to put themselves forward for this shit show. Like, what British artist for example, will think this is a good look for their reputation.

Does “genocide” wash nicely with the A*Teens brand? KEiiNO alienating half of their fan base just for a second shot at Eurovision? I wouldn’t touch this contest with a bargepole right now and neither would any artist with a crumb of self respect.

I’d be surprised if we get through National Final season without a winner or two backing out after victory and I imagine we’ll have multiple artist pullouts from NF’s too.

A shit show on all fronts. God, I’m angry.

I agree. It will make potential entries very weiry of actually going ahead with trying to represent their country and will lead to some pulling out of national finals but I think more countries need to withdraw to really make the EBU reconsider even enough to have the impact of not needing semis but I wonder how many need to pull out to make EBU change their mind.

As much as this is infuriating, sad and frustrating, I doubt EBU will do anything. So far only about 7% of potential viewership is gone, and a few giants like Germany, UK and France with their high CPMs will not withdraw. One Big 5 country is not enough. Also 3 countries came back so that will offset it anyway, at least on paper.

But kudos to the 4 that withdrew. I don't think there will be more than a couple more at best. The effect I expect to see is in the next year or two when (considering Israel still participates in the contest and the war) the quality of entries naturally deteriorates.

Edited December 5Dec 5 by pavi

The first truly damaging nail in the coffin for what, only a few years ago, seemed to be reaching new peaks. I don't know whether to watch or not, but it's a shame to see the contest lose its shine. 😔

Maybe I'll switch to a higher invertment in another contest, we'll see.

I’d put a fair amount of stock in assuming Israel are paying more to be in the competition this year, in order to 1) make up for the losses and potentially even 2) pay for the return of some of the Balkans.

It’s already been revealed by Israeli media that they’ve put a concerted effort into making sure they didn’t get thrown out and speaking with key figures in the Austrian delegation so wouldn’t put it past them offering a hand to the likes of Bulgaria, who have been pretty corrupt in the past themselves.

5 hours ago, Padamic_Tension said:

Ireland also confirmed they won't air the contest in addition to our official withdrawal.

I don't know if this is confirmed or whatever, but this is absolutely what needs to happen. Not showing it on TV particularly in the Countries that have withdrawn.

I wish the UK had the balls to back out, but unfortunately we won't.