FRANCE – While Germany, Albania, Azerbaijan, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Georgia, North Macedonia, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine (and soon to be announced Armenia) are set to take part in Eurovision, lots of EBU active members refused once again to take part.
ACTIVE MEMBERS
- Belgium โ In April 2021, the Flemish broadcaster VRT ruled out the possibility of them fronting a return to the contest in 2021, followed by the Walloon broadcaster RTBF revealing in June that they would not support participation either, stating that it was “too expensive”. Belgium last participated in 2012 with their entry solely supported by VRT, while their last Walloon entry was in 2005.
- Estonia โ In June 2021, Eesti Rahvusringhรครคling (ERR) confirmed that Estonia would not debut at the 2021 contest due to financial issues, but the broadcaster will consider debuting in the coming years.
- Israel โ The Israeli broadcaster, the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (IPBC), confirmed that they would not be participating in the junior contest due to focusing their efforts on the Eurovision Song Contest. Israel last participated in 2018.
- Lithuania โ In June 2021, Lithuanian Head of Delegation Audrius Girลพadas confirmed that broadcaster Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT) would not be returning to the contest in 2021, citing low ratings during their time in the contest and the cost of participation. Lithuania last participated in 2011.
- Slovakia โ In April 2021, the Slovak broadcaster Radio and Television of Slovakia (RTVS) confirmed that they had “not closed the door to the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2021”. However, they later announced that the country will not debut in this year’s contest.
- United Kingdom โ At a Junior Eurovision press event in May 2021, the EBU stated that they were working to bring the United Kingdom back to the contest, possibly for the 2021 edition. The United Kingdom last participated as a unified nation in 2005.
- Wales โ S4C confirmed their non-participation in February 2021 due to “the current circumstances”, likely referring to the difficulties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Wales last participated in 2019.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
- Australia โ In August 2021, Australian broadcaster SBS indirectly confirmed that discussions about participation in the 2021 edition were ongoing, suggesting that the country could return after a year of absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but did not disclose what their final decision was likely to be. Later that month, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), who had organized Australiaโs participation between 2017 and 2019, confirmed that they would not be participating in the 2021 contest, leaving the door open for SBS to take over if they were so inclined. A day after ABC announced they wouldn’t return, SBS stated they wonโt return either. Australia last participated in 2019.
- Kazakhstan โ After the 2020 contest, Kazakhstan’s Head of Delegation stated that it is highly likely the country will participate in the 2021 edition, but that a final decision will be made at a later date, assuming they are invited by the EBU.
NON-EBU MEMBERS
- Belarus โ Belarusian broadcaster BTRC was expelled from the EBU on 1 July, therefore losing the rights to broadcast and participate in the contest unless another Belarusian broadcaster joins the EBU. In August 2021, it was confirmed that the suspension would last for three years, however, the EBU can review it at any point before it expires.
Also, their absence declared: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Iceland, Latvia, Moldova, Norway, Romania, San Marino, Scotland, Slovenia, Sweden, and Switzerland.
