Australia to compete in Junior Eurovision Song Contest 05

Australia to compete in Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2015

Wednesday 7 October

News Release

The world's biggest, small song contest is back with some huge news. Australia is set to compete for the very first time in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2015.

In a year in which Australia was swept up by Eurovision fever, SBS has now secured another opportunity for Australians to get behind their very own contestant on the world stage.

The young artist representing Australia and the song they will be performing will be announced on Friday 9 October.

Talented 10 - 15 year olds from across Europe are about to come together to battle it out on stage for Eurovision glory, with all the catchy pop tunes, emotional ballads, impressive choreography, vocal prowess, surprising props, glitzy costumes and fun of the grown-up version.

SBS will broadcast the Junior Eurovision Song Contest at 7.30pm Saturday 28 November on SBS. Eurovision fans can also tune in to SBS's LIVE coverage of the contest from Sofia, Bulgaria, at 4.30am Sunday 22 November on SBS.

SBS Managing Director Michael Ebeid said:

Eurovision is a landmark program for SBS and we're so proud to be part of an event which brings people together to celebrate creativity and diverse cultures through music. We're delighted to have secured another opportunity to showcase Australia's amazing vocal and song writing talent to the world, this time through an incredibly talented young artist. We look forward to giving Australian audiences a surprise second dose of Eurovision fun this year.

SBS has been broadcasting Eurovision for over 30 years, and Junior Eurovision since it began in 2003. Participation in Junior Eurovision builds on the success of Australia's first time in the competition as part of the 60th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest earlier this year, where Guy Sebastian captivated Europe, finishing in fifth place.

Junior Eurovision Executive Supervisor Vladislav Yakovlev said:

Australia were so well received in Vienna at the big' contest in May this year, and we are thrilled to help them continue this story by coming to Bulgaria in November.

Junior Eurovision has always strived for inclusion and collaboration. Having Australia as part of our event shows their commitment to celebrating young and future singing talent and we welcome them to our enthusiastic and growing international group of performers, delegates, media and team members.

Director of Blink TV, SBS's Eurovision production partner, Paul Clarke said:

Australia showed with its huge response to Guy Sebastian that we love to compete on the world stage with our music. I can promise our legion of Eurovision fans that they will love our artist and song this year, and we can't wait to announce both on Friday. I can say that the song is co-written by one of our greatest Australian artists, and will really do us proud at Junior Eurovision in Sofia.

Like the grown-up version, the Junior Eurovision Song Contest winner is chosen by

a combined vote of the official jury panel, together with the ranking points handed out

by viewers in each participating country.

While live televoting will not be open to the Australian public, Australia will again be playing its part in determining the overall winner of Junior Eurovision via an official jury, comprised of music industry professionals who will vote live. Details of the Australian jury members who will be handing out the douze points to their favourite act will be announced soon.

The mini songster who takes out the title this year is also given the opportunity to perform as a guest in the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm, Sweden.

17 countries will take part in the 13th Junior Eurovision Song Contest, the highest number since 2004. Competing in this year's contest are: Albania, Armenia, Australia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Georgia, Ireland, Italy, Macedonia, Malta, Montenegro, The Netherlands, San Marino, Serbia, Slovenia, Russia, Ukraine.

#Discover is the theme of the 2015 competition, held in Sofia, Bulgaria, in what is set to be a memorable year in which Europe will discover the talents of a young Australian artist.

Join the conversation #JESC

NOTE TO EDITORS

The Junior Eurovision Song Contest is one of the world's most high profile talent events for children aged between 10 and 15. Launched in 2003 and first hosted by Denmark, the annual competition promotes outstanding young singers in the field of popular music. Contestants represent their country and compete for first, second and third place trophies.

Since its inception, the Junior Eurovision Song Contest has allied itself with the Eurovision Song Contest as a training ground for nurturing emerging talent. The Junior Eurovision Song Contest sets the standard for entertainment TV and embodies diversity, creativity and respect.

www.junioreurovision.tv

LINK:	http://www.sbs.com.au/aboutus/news-media-releases/view/id/985/h/Austra...
	See more stories from sbs

Most recent headlines