Irish TV to air Father Ted instead of Eurovision final in protest against Israel’s inclusion
Summary
Ireland’s national broadcaster RTÉ is boycotting this year’s Eurovision Song Contest because Israel is participating. Instead of showing the contest’s final, RTÉ will air a 1996 episode of the Irish comedy Father Ted that humorously features Eurovision. Some people criticized RTÉ for this choice, while others supported it.Key Facts
- RTÉ is not showing the Eurovision final in protest against Israel’s participation.
- RTÉ will broadcast the Father Ted episode “A Song for Europe” instead.
- Father Ted is a popular Irish sitcom about priests, and this episode is a satire of Eurovision.
- Graham Linehan, one of the show’s creators, said RTÉ’s move misuses the show and called for the broadcaster’s director-general to resign.
- Other countries like Spain, Slovenia, the Netherlands, and Iceland are also not sending contestants to Eurovision this year.
- Some broadcasters in these countries will air alternative programs related to Palestine or music instead of Eurovision.
- The boycott followed concerns about voting campaigns favoring an Israeli singer last year.
- Ireland has a strong history with Eurovision, having won seven times by 1996, the most wins along with Sweden.
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