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Australia’s Eurovision broadcaster SBS has said it will continue to take part in the 2026 contest in Vienna regardless of whether Israel remains in the line-up.
The statement, reported today in the Guardian, puts SBS at odds with a growing number of European broadcasters who have threatened to pull out if the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) allows Israel to compete. Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands and Slovenia have all said their participation is conditional on Israel’s status.
An SBS spokesperson told the newspaper that the broadcaster “remains committed to Eurovision as a celebration of diversity and music” and confirmed that Australia would not be joining any boycott.
The timing is significant. Spain yesterday became the first of the so-called “Big Five” to vote for withdrawal if Israel takes part, while the EBU has extended its deadlines until December to allow broadcasters to clarify their positions.
Australia has competed in Eurovision since 2015, initially as a guest to mark the contest’s 60th anniversary and later as a full invited participant. SBS has consistently framed its involvement as a celebration of multiculturalism and international broadcasting links.
By signalling that it will not take part in political withdrawals, SBS positions itself as one of the few broadcasters openly backing continued participation regardless of wider disputes.
Source: The Guardian.
