Eurovision 2023 host the United Kingdom is set to make its fourth Junior Eurovision appearance in Yerevan this 11th of December!

In a press release today by the BBC, children aged between 9 and 14 years of age are being considered in a process shared by UK children’s broadcaster CBBC with BBC Studios Entertainment and Music. The act and song representing the UK will be announced in the coming weeks.

Director BBC Children’s and Education, Patricia Hidalgo, had this to say about today’s announcement:

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. However we do know that Junior Eurovision will be broadcast on CBBC and simulcast on BBC One and iPlayer, as BBC’s Junior Eurovision coverage will be a BBC Studios production.

The United Kingdom took part in the first three editions of Junior Eurovision from 2003-2005, finishing in third, second, and 14th places, respectively, but have been absent for 17 years! Back then, ITV was the UK’s Junior Eurovision broadcaster, making 2022 a first for the BBC.

In the absence of BBC’s participation, constituent country Wales took the UK’s place at Junior Eurovision in 2018 and 2019, finishing in last and 18th places. Both appearances were broadcast in Welsh by S4C.

What do you think of today’s news from the BBC? Will you watch Junior Eurovision this December? Let us know in the comments or on our socials @escbubble!