Eurovision 2026 viewership drops 35 million after boycott over Israel participation
The 2026 Eurovision Song Contest attracted 131 million television viewers, 35 million fewer than the previous year. Organisers attribute the decline to a boycott by five participating broadcasters – the Netherlands, Iceland, Spain, Ireland and Slovenia – protesting Israel's inclusion. Spain, Ireland and Slovenia even refused to air the live show.
Bulgaria won for the first time with Dara’s “Bangaranga”, while Israel placed second. Martin Grin, the contest’s director, said, “Although some of our figures are naturally lower because of the five members that chose not to take part, we remain determined to do everything possible to reopen the door for their return in 2027.”
Viewership fell by 3.8 million in Poland, 3.7 million in the United Kingdom and 3.3 million in France. Despite the TV drop, the event generated over one billion Instagram views and a 54.8 % share of viewers aged 15‑24, with the strongest audiences in Scandinavia (Finland 93 %, Sweden 86 %, Norway 83 %, Denmark 79 %). About 100 000 tickets were sold to fans from 75 countries. The 2027 contest will be staged in Bulgaria.
The episode underscores how political disputes can affect cultural broadcasting while digital platforms sustain audience engagement.