The Junior Eurovision Song Contest is coming to the UK for the first time
(Picture: YouTube/Junior Eurovision Song Contest)The United Kingdom will broadcast the Junior Eurovision Song Contest for the first time on BBC, it has been announced.
Armenia will host the competition after performer Maléna won last year with her performance with song Qami Qami.
The Junior Eurovision Song Contest will air on Sunday December 11 2022 and will follow talented youngsters aged between nine and 14 as they compete to win, in a vote that will be determined by national juries and global online polls.
The process of selecting acts and songs for the event has begun and is being led by CBBC with BBC Studios Entertainment and Music. The UK’s representing act and song is soon to be announced.
This confirmation comes after it was announced in July that the UK will also be hosting the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest on the BBC on behalf of this year’s winning country Ukraine.
Patricia Hidalgo, Director BBC Children’s and Education said: “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.”
Further details, including who will be commentating for the UK, will be announced in due course.
The Junior Eurovision Song Contest’s first competition was held in November 2003 and was initially based on the Scandinavian children’s song festival Melodi Grand Prix Nordic.
The UK participated in the inaugural show of the contest in Denmark and was represented by Tom Morley with the song My Song for the World, which he finished in an impressive third place with out of sixteen entries.
In this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, the UK reigned successful with entrant Sam Ryder who placed top three with song Space Man – the first time the UK has reached this position in 20 years.
