This evening, Belarusian broadcaster BTRC and the EBU’s Jon Ola Sand took part in a press conference here at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2018. One important question put to Sand was what would happen to Wales and S4C if a UK-wide broadcaster, such as the BBC, wished to participate at a future Junior Eurovision Song Contest.

UK-wide broadcaster would “take priority”

Regarding this possible situation, that would presumably also apply to Eurovision Choir of the Year, Junior Eurovision Song Contest executive supervisor Jon Ola Sand explained the following:

We have a relationship with the BBC for the adult Eurovision Song Contest. If the BBC would like to come to the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, their broadcasting reaches out to the whole of the United Kingdom and they would take priority. Jon Ola Sand (23 November 2018)

Therefore, this confirms that were a UK-wide broadcaster such as UK Eurovision broadcaster BBC or previous UK Junior Eurovision broadcaster ITV want to participate at a future edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, such a broadcaster would take priority.

Unfortunately, this would mean the end of participation for Wales and S4C as an individual nation were such an interest from the UK to arise.

S4C thanks the organisers for their invite

Shortly after the EBU comments above, regarding their own participation this year, S4C publicly thanked the EBU and BTRC for their invite to and the professionalism of the event this year.

Do you think this is the correct call from the EBU? Let us know your thoughts!



