Spain may be interested in returning to Junior Eurovision 2015! Spanish sources claim that RTVE is making plans ahead of the next edition of JESC in Bulgaria, and we couldn’t be more excited.
Spanish TV site Bluper reports that Spain’s national broadcaster has been considering the idea for a few weeks. On Wednesday RTVE registered the brand “Eurovision Junior” in the national Office of Brands and Patents.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLU32QCTN4A
As diehard JESC fans will remember, Spain was the most successful country in the first years of the contest, never finishing lower than fourth. But suddenly in 2007 RTVE decided that it was no longer interested in the contest, alleging that it fostered stereotypes and values which the public broadcaster didn’t want to promote. (Maria Isabel, the Spaniard who won Junior Eurovision in 2004, sang an ode to materialism called “Better Dead Than Plain”). That broke the heart of many Spanish children (including the writer of this article, who was only 13). But now the stereotypes have apparently been forgotten and we can do nothing but cheer for Spain’s possible return.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCccorS0Rts
A Spanish return in 2015 fits with broader TV trends. Junior shows like The Voice Kids and Masterchef Junior are smashing the TV ratings as much as Eurovision does. RTVE smells a potential hit.
SPANISH JESC STARS NOWADAYS
Spain’s Junior Eurovision stars have now grown up, and three out of the four of them are quite successful. Spain’s last performer at JESC, Dani Fernández, is now a part of the boyband Auryn, who took part in Spain’s National Final in 2011. They’re kind of a big deal.
María Isabel, Spain’s only winner of JESC, never left the spotlight. Her first four albums all went platinum, with her debut doing so five times over. She is still a big name in Spain, even though she has been relatively quiet recently as she finishes her studies.
That was all until last month, when she released a duet with Antonio José, Spain’s representative in 2005, who finished second. He’s now taking part in the third series of The Voice Spain.
As you can see, that’s how you work a ballad with flamenco voices, y’all!
Are you excited about the potential comeback? Do you think Spain can manage to do well again at JESC this year? Let us know below!
Im starting to believe that Malta hosting JESC could have been the best that has ever happened for jesc I mean they raised the standards so high that now more broadcasters are starting to become more interested in this contest.
@Hana,
That is an interesting idea, although I’m afraid both contests would be hard for adults to watch. Right now, because of the wide age range in JESC, competing songs have to carry diverse appeal. As a result, many of last year’s JESC songs crossed traditional age stereotypes and were stylistically mature enough to appeal to adults while retaining youthful elements. If JESC were split into two contests, the kids’ contest would just have silly kids songs, and the teen contest would have really cringe-worthy teen pop.
At the moment 10 countries will participate in this years JESC! If Spain come back, Portugal will also come back I think 🙂 Then we have 12 countries! I think Russia, Ukraine and Serbia will also participate! Then we have 15 countries! I’m not sure if Italy, San Marino, Croatia and Cyprus will participate! But I think Hungary will debut so we have 16 countries then 🙂 If some other countries could came back, I’m not sure! Let’s hope for 20 participating countries 🙂
Would be awesome if they could make it, otherwise I don’t think we will top the 16 countries of last year.
I think that Junior Eurovision must be revitalized. JESC format must be updated continuously to be better. JESC must present children’s songs in different languages with revealing countries’ culture. JESC must attract audiences from different countries around the world. JESC could become the example of good children’s song contest. JESC must inspire children and adults to contribute to society, be creative and respect others. I already tell you that JESC must be intended for 8-12 years old performers due to fact that age range are considered children. I already suggested to EBU that song contest for teenagers must be established.… Read more »
Perhaps Italy’s inclusion last year provided a bit of an interest boost for Spain this year. Still disappointed Italy won’t host but I’m cool with Bulgaria hosting a Eurovision event since they never have before.
Plus JESC has shifted to less-childish songs especially last year in Malta, it gives good range especially as JESC are trying to move away from single-digit age groups to 10 and over.
Gotta love Antonio José. He’s probably going to win the Voice 🙂