The show will be broadcast on children’s channel CBBC, with a simulcast on BBC 1 and the BBC iPlayer. Patricia Hidalgo, Director BBC Children’s and Education:
We are beyond excited to bring the Junior Eurovision Song Contest to the BBC for the first time, and to showcase the diverse young musical talent from across Europe for children and their families to discover and enjoy together. This junior version of Eurovision will undoubtedly encapsulate the same spirit of unity that the adult contest brings, reflecting the heart of what CBBC is all about, an inclusive channel that celebrates the diversity and creativity in all children. I can’t wait to unveil our own musical talent who will proudly represent the UK.
The United Kingdom has had a passing relationship with Junior Eurovision over the years.
Commercial broadcaster ITV entered Junior Eurovision for the first three Contests starting in 2003. The slot for a UK entry picked up by Welsh broadcaster S4C for the 2018 and 2019 Contests. The show was also broadcast on UK radio between 2013 and 2019 with some familiar voices from the ESC Insight providing commentary.
In previous years, the host broadcaster of the Song Contest has accepted the invited to participate that season’s Junior Eurovision, This led to Portugal, Israel and Italy returning to Junior Eurovision just months after their victory in May. The United Kingdom now follows these previous host broadcasters as it seek to organise a successful Eurovision Song Contest in 2023.
The BBC is not a stranger to large scale live events – witness the annual outside broadcast of the Sports Personality Of The Year show – but with a tighter than normal schedule for Eurovision 2023, it makes sense to take advantage of every learning experience available.
There is no confirmation on the selection method the BBC will be using: “The process to select the act and song is now underway and is being led by CBBC with BBC Studios Entertainment and Music. The act and song representing the UK will be announced in due course.“.
No doubt further details will follow.
The United Kingdom this century has now recorded two Eurovision second places, with Cory Spedding finishing second in Junior Eurovision 2004 followed up by Sam Ryder this May. Can the recent bounce in British popularity with the Song Contest drive the BBC to take the top step on the podium in Yerevan?