The Eurovision Music Contest is increasing its attain in a historic transfer, with Canada now set to hitch the competitors from 2027.
The change comes after CBC/Radio-Canada was admitted as a full member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) final week.
Canada will turn out to be the primary new participant to hitch the contest since Australia in 2015, with the nation slated to ship an act to the following version of the Eurovision Music Contest in Bulgaria.
Since its launch in 1956, the Eurovision Music Contest has grown into one of many world’s greatest stay televised music competitions. Organized by the European Broadcasting Union, the annual contest options public broadcasters from Europe and different eligible taking part international locations.
Canada is now set to hitch the competitors after CBC/Radio-Canada turned the newest full member of the EBU following greater than seven a long time as an affiliate member.
The choice to grant the broadcaster full membership was accredited final Thursday throughout a vote on the EBU’s Basic Meeting in Prague, per CBC.
With the addition of CBC/Radio-Canada, the EBU’s membership has expanded to 115 organizations representing 57 international locations.
Canada Too Late For This Yr’s Eurovision
Since this yr’s Eurovision Music Contest already happened in Vienna, Austria, in Might, CBC/Radio-Canada will solely have the ability to submit an entry for the following version, which will probably be hosted by Bulgaria.
The submission course of for the competitors varies from yr to yr, however the deadline is often set a number of months earlier than the competitors begins in Might.
For now, Canada is ready to hitch international locations comparable to Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, and Luxembourg, whose broadcasters have already expressed curiosity in taking part. CBC/Radio-Canada has confirmed that Canada will send an act to the 2027 contest, with particulars on how the nation’s entry will probably be chosen to be introduced later this yr.
CBC president Marie-Philippe Bouchard mentioned participation “will permit Canadian expertise to be showcased on probably the most storied music phases on the earth.”
CBC Membership Opens Wider Media Entry
Past turning into eligible to take part within the Eurovision Music Contest, CBC/Radio-Canada additionally stands to get pleasure from a number of extra advantages as a newly admitted full member of the EBU.
In accordance with a joint launch, the general public broadcaster will now have entry to “networks for investigative journalism, verification, digital information and knowledge, in addition to the Eurovision Information Alternate and Euroradio Music Alternate providers.”
The trade additionally permits members to share stay and edited information protection, enabling CBC to supply much more protection for its viewers at house.
“This new chapter in our relationship with the EBU and its members will deepen our cooperation at a time when the collective affect of public service media is crucial,” Marie-Philippe Bouchard, president and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada, shared in a press release.
“It’s an necessary milestone that may profit folks on each side of the Atlantic by serving to to fight disinformation and help cultural expression,” added the exec.
EBU Says Canada Makes Eurovision ‘Stronger’
Bouchard’s remarks have been echoed by EBU Director Basic Noel Curran, who additionally praised CBC/Radio-Canada for its contributions to journalism and public service broadcasting.
“As one of many world’s main public broadcasters, it has already contributed vastly to our union — serving to us set and uphold the requirements of public service journalism that matter most proper now,” Curran mentioned of the general public broadcaster.
“Full membership means we are able to now do much more collectively…. Canada’s voice on this group makes us stronger,” he added in his assertion.
Director Martin Inexperienced additionally described Canada’s accession as a sign that, no matter its European origins, the competition “continues to welcome the world.”
Why Canada Pushed For A Eurovision Spot
Curiosity in Canada becoming a member of the Eurovision Music Contest first surfaced final yr, when Prime Minister Mark Carney talked about the likelihood within the federal authorities’s 2025 price range, introduced in November.
Canadians have additionally competed in Eurovision earlier than beneath completely different flags, most famously Céline Dion, who gained the 1988 contest whereas representing Switzerland.
Later that month, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne defined the reasoning behind the transfer.
“I feel it’s a platform for Canada to shine,” Champagne mentioned, per The Guardian. “That is about defending our id – sure, we wish to shield our sovereignty, however you additionally wish to assist folks within the arts sector and within the movie trade to verify they will shine world wide. And we have now rather a lot to supply as Canadians.”
