For the first time in its history, the Eurovision Song Festival will feature commercial breaks, shaking up the traditional format that fans have known for decades. This year’s festival will take place in Basel, Switzerland, on May 13, 15, and 17, 2025, with the Netherlands represented by the artist Claude, who will be vying for a chance to secure a spot in the finals.
During the semi-finals scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, and Thursday, May 15, seven minutes of commercial breaks are planned. These breaks will occur between performances and during the voting period, right before the results are revealed. The final will see a slightly shorter, four-minute commercial break.
According to a spokesperson, the introduction of commercials aims to create a structured viewing experience: “It’s a time block where many participating countries also switch to a commercial break,” suggesting a synchrony that appeals to a wider audience.
On a related note, Claude, representing the Netherlands, is set to perform his single “C’est la vie” for the first time on March 29, 2025, during a special edition of the program Jinek. His performance is highly anticipated as he plans to make a strong impression in the semi-finals.
In an interesting twist, Joost Klein, another artist who gained fame with his hit song “Europapa,” recently caused a stir when he was absent from the stage during final rehearsals in Malmö on March 21, 2025. Reports indicated that he was under investigation by Swedish police for allegedly threatening a member of the song festival's staff. Fortunately, the public prosecutor later announced that there wasn’t enough evidence to pursue the case, allowing Klein to breathe a sigh of relief.
Racoon, a popular Dutch band, has also expressed an interest in participating in a future Eurovision Song Festival, provided they can perform their own material. Lead singer Bart van der Weide mentioned, “It seems fun for Racoon to participate, as long as we can do our own thing.” This possibility adds yet another layer of excitement as the festival continues to evolve and adapt to the times.
As the festival approaches, the excitement builds not just for the performances but also for how the commercial breaks will affect viewer engagement. It remains to be seen how audiences will respond to this new format as they enjoy the diverse performances from various countries.
As the Eurovision Song Festival gears up for its semi-finals and finals, viewers can anticipate a blend of music, drama, and history-making moments that will surely be discussed for years to come.
