This year’s Junior Eurovision Song Contest, to be held in Valletta, Malta will have 17 participating nations. However, we have three returning nations, which sadly means three withdrawing nations too.

Returning Countries

Poland (TVP) is returning to the competition for the first time since 2004. Israel (IBA) last took part in 2012, while Cyprus (CyBC) have only been away for one year.

Withdrawing Countries

Sadly Montenegro (RTCG), San Marino (SMTV) and Slovenia (RTVSLO) have all withdrawn from this year’s contest. While all three have withdrawn for various reasons, one reason is the new format.

Other Countries

The remaining countries taking part this year are Albania (RTVSH), Armenia (Public TV of Armenia), Australia (SBS), Belarus (BTRC), Bulgaria (BNT), Georgia (GPB), Ireland (TG4), Italy (RAI), Macedonia (MKRTV), Malta (PBS), Russia (RTR), Serbia (RTS), The Netherlands (AVROTROS) and Ukraine (NTU).

Out of the countries taking part this year, Belarus and The Netherlands are the only two participating nations to have taken part at every Junior Eurovision Song Contest. Both debutants from last year, Australia and Ireland are returning for another try at victory.

Our Coverage

Both myself (Richard) and Andrew will be out in Malta covering this year’s contest for Eurovision Ireland. Before we arrive, I’ll be showcasing each of the seventeen participating nations and how they’ve done previously.

When we arrive in Malta, we will of course be blogging throughout the rehearsals, as well as throwing in some interviews as normal too. We will also build on our Periscope coverage that we introduced at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm – further details of this will be announced shortly.

Your Views

What do you make of this year’s line up of Participating Nations? How sad are you that we have Montenegro, San Marino and Slovenia leaving the party? How happy are you that Cyprus, Israel and Poland are returning? Should any other nations be taking part?

Also, we would like to know what you’d like from our coverage. Please comment about this and the Participating Nations below.

For more info make sure to check us out on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, SNAPCHAT, PERISCOPE and YOUTUBE  for even more news and gossip!

Author: Richard Taylor

Source: EBU