Knock, knock — it’s Madrid calling! And the messenger brings bad, if expected, news. Once again the Iberian nation will snub Junior Eurovision and it won’t send a contestant to Tbilisi for JESC 2017 on November 26.
Hopes of a return to the contest have been growing ever since RTVE registered the brand “EuroJunior” two years ago. And Head of Delegation Ana María Bordas fuelled the fire with her comment, made during Eurovision 2017, that Spain’s JESC participation “is not yet decided.”
But on Monday Spanish TV Site Bluper reported that Spain is sitting out of Junior Eurovision yet again. Ouch!
This marks the eleventh year running that Spain will snub the Junior event.
Following the 2006 contest, Spain’s state broadcaster pulled the plug on the show, saying it was guilty of “encouraging stereotypes they did not share”.
Spanish fans have tirelessly begged the broadcaster to return to the competition. And despite seeing a glimmer of hope in 2015, hopes were once again dashed. And in 2016. and now in 2017.
Spain at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest
From its debut in the contest in 2003 until its final performance in 2006, Spain performed sensationally. Their run included a fourth-place finish in 2006; two runner-up positions in 2003 and 2005; and a win in 2004 with María Isabel’s ode to materialism “Better Dead Than Plain”.
Spain, no doubt one of the most successful countries ever to compete at Junior Eurovision, also enjoyed success at home. The good results led to huge ratings.
While Sergio’s performance managed to draw in 4.5 million viewers, Latin sensation María Isabel took the crown hitting the 6 million mark. Slay Queen!
Comparing the adult and junior shows, María’s impressive ratings were topped only by 2012’s Pastora Soler (6.5 million), 2008’s Rodolfo Chikilicuatre (9.3 million), 2004’s Ramon (6.8 million), 2003’s Beth (8.7 million) and Rosa’s stunning 12.7 million rating at Eurovision 2002. Neither Barei (4.3 million) nor Manel Navarro (4.7 million) managed to build the hype and audience of little María.
Even if countries like Spain choose to bow out of Junior Eurovision, junior shows continue to take the continent by storm. The Voice Kids recently launched in the United Kingdom and Masterchef Junior is smashing the ratings in a number of markets. Perhaps RTVE will see the light and head back to JESC…one day.
So far only 11 countries have confirmed their participation at Junior Eurovision. They are: Albania, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Ireland, Italy, Macedonia, Malta, the Netherlands, Russia and Serbia.
In any case, what do you think? Will Spain make a comeback anytime soon? And should RTVE consider the past and present good ratings when deciding? Let us know below!
I think that’s not fair to the children. They ought to have little bit extra curricular activities beside the all boring studies.
You ought to take part in a contest for one of the highest quality sites on the net.
I am going to highly recommend this website!
After I initially left a comment I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are
added- checkbox and from now on whenever a comment is added I receive 4 emails with the
exact same comment. Perhaps there is an easy method you are able to remove me from that service?
Thanks!
It’s impressive that you are getting thoughts from this post as well as from our
argument made at this time.
Hey, guys! Do you know that Anahit Adamyan from Armenia (JESC 2016 runner-up) took the first place on New Wave Junior this year?
I don t know why Spain, Denmark, UK, France withedraw from Junior Eurovision, in begging of the contest they have very good result at contest. Spain was always in TOP 3 , UK was in TOP 5 only last time out of TOP 5, Denmark have also good result.
Sad news, but epected. ESC 2017 ratings and results where low, so it was expected. Still waiting for Ukraine, Germany, Hungary, France, Asutralia, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Poland, but JESC 2017 will at least see 14 countries, believe me.
Well, at least Armenia’s still participating! 😀
http://escpedia.info/noticias/armenia-confirma-participacao-no-junior-eurovision/
Well then, if Spain’s not competing, then there’s still hope for Portugal to return! 🙂
Why the logo of JESC is almost the same that NOS PRIMAVERA SOUND?
Spain is just sooo lazy
Hopefully Spain will return to Junior Eurovision next year! 🙂
Maria Isabel is a legend. My best friend is half-Spanish and she has a copy of her debut album, the deluxe edition. And “Antes muerta que sencilla” has sold more copies than most Eurovision winners since the 90s.
Sad news for JESC but Spain needing to improve at ESC itself is a bigger priority.
Is this the first time in recent tears that only 11 countries have confirmed as of early July?
*years
We’ll know by around September/October. There’s still enough time for other countries to confirm their participation and for the EBU to invite Australia to the competition again for the third year running.
We might not see Israel unless its new broadcaster, KAN, manages to obtain EBU membership in time. Bulgaria previously confirmed its participation but have to put it on hold after internal changes.
I thought people don’t want Australia in the Eurovision family of events anymore! :/
Smart move Spain
Kids don’t listen to these type of songs nowadays anyway.
Actually, it’s the other way around: Spain made a DUMB move!
These articles are becoming as pathetic as “Morocco will not return to Eurovision 201X.”
Don’t read them, thx
There is a big difference, real@winner. The HoD from Spain said at Eurovision 2017 that they were still deciding on this, so it was actually a possibility, unlike with the endless string of “Luxembourg/Morocco/Monaco” articles you rightly flag. (We don’t write those).
”Following the 2006 contest, Spain’s state broadcaster pulled the plug on the show, saying it was guilty of “encouraging stereotypes they did not share”.”
Good for you Espana!
JESC must go away for ever.
Children should be in school, not wearing makeup.
So you mean to say, they cannot take up extra curricular activities and take part in competitions that showcase their skills and talents like sports festivals and such? Being a kid is more than just merely going to school. Heck, even schools encourages children to take part in competitions so hence having varsity teams to represent them in tournaments, and the like.
And besides, JESC competitors compete on a weekend.
Well children are immersed in their phones these days….a little bit of make-up and singing is better than that I think.
For your information lambada, Junior Eurovision must NOT go away! Besides, it makes the year go by quicker!