Iceland's television broadcaster RUV turns 60 this year and 2026 is also their 40th anniversary of entering Eurovision. We take a look at why it took 20 years for Iceland to join the party, how the country helped push the Contest into a more modern mode, and why they won't be in Vienna this year.

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Links:

• Intro clip: Björk and her TV - Definitive Restoration - YouTube
• The History and Development of Broadcasting in Iceland by James Richard Williamson | Wayback Machine
• Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins 1986 - Gleðibankinn - YouTube
• Gleðibankinn - Iceland 1986 - Eurovision songs with live orchestra - YouTube
• Hera Björk - Gleðibankinn & Til hamingju Ísland at the Eurovision Cruise 2012 - YouTube
• Daði Freyr Pétursson Gleðibankinn (Live Cover) - YouTube
• Minn hinsti dans - Iceland 1997 - Eurovision songs with live orchestra - YouTube
• Páll Óskar - Björk dragshow MH 1995 - YouTube