Yle sets conditions for participating in Eurovision in the coming years

The core of the Management Group's unanimous position statement is that the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) implements the changes to the competition rules that the organization has proposed. The plan is to discuss and vote on these changes during the EBU General Assembly meeting later today. Yle will make its decision on participating in Eurovision based on the outcome of the discussion and vote at the meeting.

Yle believes that the changes proposed by the EBU are moving in the right direction. What is essential for Yle is that the voting cannot be manipulated and that the independence of the competition is secured.

– Eurovision's original purpose has been to create a space where we can meet despite differences and disagreements. For this to be possible in the future as well, the union and members must ensure that the competition is not used for political influence, states Yle's CEO Marit af Björkesten.

In addition to the changes in the competition rules, Yle requires that the number of organizations participating in Eurovision remains sufficiently large and that the costs for the participating members do not increase unreasonably. The safety of the participants and the audience must also be ensured.

This year, 37 companies participated in Eurovision. Yle has participated in the competition 58 times during the years 1961–2025.

Yle's Management Group sets the following conditions for Yle to participate in Eurovision:

• EBU implements its proposed changes to the competition rules, monitors their compliance, and evaluates the effect of these changes.

• The safety of the participants and the audience must be ensured.

• The number of organizations participating in Eurovision remains large, and Eurovision continues to be a cultural event that brings together the international community.

• The costs for participating organizations must not increase unreasonably.

Read the press release at Yle's website

Additional information and interview requests:

Yle's CEO Marit af Björkesten is participating in the EBU General Assembly, where Eurovision and the planned changes will be discussed later today. After the meeting, she will be available for telephone interviews.

Interview requests for Marit af Björkesten are received by Mika Ojamies, mika.ojamies@yle.fi.