SPAIN TO DECIDE THIS WEEK
The decision of Spain’s withdrawal at the Junior ESC will be made this week. Several scenario’s are prepared by EBU to deal with the possible loss of Spain. Steve De Coninck-De Boeck, chairman of the Junior Steering Group told that to eurosong.be. The chairman also says that countries are no more obliged to broadcast the show live in prime time. The biggest problem for the Junior ESC is the time of the year that the contest takes place. Because the contest is a recent phenomenon its chances for survival are not yet certain. Steve De Coninck-De Boeck admits that Spain’s participation is uncertain. ‘A withdrawal of Spain would mean a financial loss, but we can deal with it. EBU is talking with eight countries that are interested to participate in the Junior ESC.’

It seems that Turkey is one those eight countries and also the rumour that Denmark, Ireland and the UK are interested (again) ‘could be right’, according to Steve De Coninck.

NO LIVE BROADCAST OF THE FINAL OBLIGATORY
From this year on the participating countries are no longer obliged to broadcast the final live. Countries that aren’t broadcasting the show live have to provide a professional jury for the voting. The Junoir ESC’s biggest problem seems to be the time of the year that the contest takes place. November and December are the months with the highest viewing rates. A luxury problem maybe, but ‘there’s an international tendency that local formats, like Star Academy in France, obtain higher viewing rates than an international contest’, De Coninck says.

Asked about the low viewing rates De Coninck denies that there is a problem: ‘That’s a matter of perception. Following the viewing rates and the market shares there’s no problem at all.’ On the other hand De Coninck can’t reassure that the Junior ESC’s future is safe. ‘We have to foresee a solid financial base for the contest. The Junior ESC is a recent programm. We have to keep on fighting for it.’

The interview with Steve De Coninck-De Boeck (in Flemish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFBrwxFezPs