RÚV has confirmed that Iceland will compete in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel, Switzerland.
Following a one week delay, RÚV has confirmed that it will be participating in the 69th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. The Icelandic broadcaster told Vísir that its decision to participate is based mainly on the value of the Eurovision Song Contest to Icelandic society.
In a statement, they explain that:
The decision to participate is primarily based on the fact that it is an event that has great value in Icelandic society, is a source of joy and satisfaction for a large part of the population, and is a place for precious moments of family time all over the country,”
“The competition has a great and indisputable significance for Icelandic music life. Eurovision and Söngvakeppnin have spawned countless Icelandic singing gems and laid the foundation for the illustrious careers of many musicians. Viewership of the final night of Eurovision was measured at 60% this year, even though Iceland was eliminated from the competition. Only the biggest sporting events and the New Year’s Fair come close to this audience.”
The Icelandic broadcaster added that the European Broadcasting Union is working on a number of changes following criticism of the handling of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 from a number of broadcasters. The broadcaster informed the outlet that:
“There are now nine working groups at work, and the aim is for them to deliver results from their work in the coming months. Ríkisútvarpið has added its comments in the review, where, among other things, it was reported that there was an extremely negative discussion in this country before the last competition. Almost all nations have already announced their participation in Switzerland next year.”
RÚV has not yet determined how the Icelandic representative for the competition in Basel will be chosen. Söngvakeppnin has been used for a number of years to select the Icelandic representative, with the broadcaster last internally selecting a singer and song (outside of COVID-19) in 2005.
Hera Björk represented Iceland at Eurovision 2024 with “Scared of Heights”. She finished last in the first semi-final with 3 points, leaving Iceland out of the final for the second year in a row.
Image Source: EBU / Corinne Cumming | Source: Vísir
Iceland debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1986 and, aside from 2 years of relegation in 1998 and 2002, has participated every year since. The contest is incredibly popular in Iceland, regularly being one of the most-watched programs of the year. Iceland has yet to win the contest but has finished in 2nd on two occasions. In 1999, Selma missed out on victory in Jerusalem by 17 points, and in 2009 Yohanna became the most successful Icelandic entrant ever finishing 2nd in the final with the song “Is it True?”. She scored 218 points, yet still finished 169 points behind the runaway winner Norway.
