Cornald Maas will return as the sole commentator for the Dutch national broadcaster during the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, marking a significant change from the previous year.
Previously, Maas co-commentated with Jacqueline Govaert, but she will not participate this year due to scheduling conflicts. This decision is noteworthy as it will be the first time since 2009 when Maas has taken on the role without sharing it.
AVROTROS, the Dutch national broadcaster, expressed confidence in Maas’s capabilities, stating, "Many countries have just one commentator and we see this works well. We are confident, with his experience and enormous knowledge of the Eurovision Song Contest, Cornald will be a source of information for the viewer during the semi-finals and final." Their emphasis on having one commentator reflects their belief in the effectiveness of this format.
Maas himself acknowledged the dual commentary setup, remarking, "I really liked the dual commentary with Jacqueline last year, but unfortunately, she cannot take on this role this year. I want to involve the audience more this year, like a faraway sidekick." This shift aims to create a more engaging viewing experience for the audience.
The upcoming Eurovision Song Contest will be held on May 13, 2025, in Basel, Switzerland, where the Netherlands will be represented by Claude. The young artist’s song is set to be released on February 27, 2025, generating anticipation among fans.
The previous edition brought controversy for the Netherlands, as their entry, performed by Joost Klein, was disqualified after claims of misconduct surfaced. Klein had previously placed second in the second semi-final before being barred from the Grand Final.
The Netherlands has had a storied history with the Eurovision Song Contest since debuting in 1956, having won the competition five times: 1957, 1959, 1969, 1975, and most recently, 2019, when Duncan Laurence won with his song "Arcade". This victory came after 44 years of waiting and showcased their strong cultural contribution to the competition.
Following the disqualification, the spotlight is on Claude as he prepares to represent the nation and capture the hearts of both the public and the Eurovision voting juries. Fans and commentators alike eagerly await the release of his entry song, believing it could be the perfect comeback for the Netherlands this year.
Stay tuned for more updates leading up to the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, as anticipation builds for the event and the fierce competition among participating nations intensifies.