Cehia se retrage de la Eurovision / A invocat reduceri bugetare / ”Nu vom vedea drapelul ceh pe scenă anul viitor”

The Czech public television announced it will not participate in next year's Eurovision due to budget cuts. They expressed hope to return in the future. The Czech government is shifting funding from viewer fees to direct state support, which has raised concerns about media independence. Critics argue this move mirrors actions by leaders in Slovakia and Hungary to limit public media freedom. The decision adds to financial challenges for the European Broadcasting Union, following similar announcements from Ireland and Spain regarding their participation in 2027 due to the situation in Gaza.