Since the very first edition of Junior Eurovision the contest has been broadcast in non-competing nations, but which countries are these?
For many viewers it may seem odd to watch a contest in which you’re not competing however since the very first edition broadcasters across the globe have shown the contest without competing. Five countries have aired the contest and not taken to the Junior Eurovision stage despite being eligible, these are:
- Andorra
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Estonia
- Finland
- Kosovo
While radio broadcasts have also occurred in Argentina, New Zealand, Singapore and the United States. We take a look at the broadcasters who could have competed but decided against.
Why broadcast a contest you’re not competing in?
Your first question may well be, why air a contest you’re not competing in and there is a fairly simple reason for some of these broadcasters. During the early editions of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest it was common for broadcasters wishing to take part the following year to air the contest, this showed the EBU an interest in the competition. In addition broadcasters are able to gauge the interest of their viewing audience before deciding to compete.
The following countries broadcast the contest before going on to compete:
- Albania – RTSH – Junior Eurovision 2005 & 2011
- Australia – SBS – Junior Eurovision 2003 to 2014
- Azerbaijan – iTV – Junior Eurovision 2007 to 2009
- Israel – IBA – Junior Eurovision 2007
- Portugal – RTP – Junior Eurovision 2005
Andorra
RTVA, the Andorran broadcaster only once broadcast the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2006. The Andorran broadcaster has not shown an interest in competing in the contest and has not competed in the Eurovision Song Contest since 2009.
Bosnia & Herzegovina
BHRT holds the record for most contest broadcast without competing in the competition. BHRT had intended to compete in Junior Eurovision in both 2007 and 2008 but withdrew. The Bosnian broadcaster would continue to air the contest up until 2011. Find out more about Bosnia & Herzegovina’s attempts to compete here.
Estonia
ETV aired both the 2003 and 2004 contest but never showed an interest in competing in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. Estonia is the only broadcaster in the Baltics to have never competed in the contest.
Finland
YLE showed an interest in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest when it was first announced in 2002. It was not selected as one of the countries to take part in the first edition but did broadcast the first contest live from Copenhagen, Denmark.
Kosovo
Kosovo aired the Junior Eurovision Song Contest for the last time in 2013. RTK is currently ineligible to compete in the competition and would require a direct invite from the contest organisers to compete. To date RTK has only competed in one Eurovision event, Eurovision Young Dancers in 2011.
