Eurovision Viewership Plummets Amid Gaza War Boycott Over Israel's Participation

The Eurovision Song Contest experienced a significant decline in viewership during its first semi-finals, driven by growing boycott calls over Israel's participation amid the ongoing war in Gaza. Comparisons with 2025 data reveal losses of hundreds of thousands of viewers across key markets, including the United Kingdom, Italy, Sweden, Belgium, and Portugal. The UK recorded its lowest semi-final audience on BBC One since moving the broadcast to its flagship channel, dropping by 253,000 viewers. Italy saw its lowest interest in three years, while Sweden and Belgium also reported dramatic decreases despite having local entries in the finals. This downturn coincides with the largest political boycott in the contest's history, as Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, the Netherlands, and Iceland withdrew in protest of the conflict, which has resulted in over 72,000 deaths in Gaza since October 2023. Although the European Broadcasting Union refused to ban Israel citing political neutrality, protests marked the event, with audiences booing Israeli singer Noam Bettan and waving Palestinian flags. Ireland's RTE broadcaster notably replaced the coverage with an episode of Father Ted, highlighting the intense political polarization surrounding the competition.