VRT, the Flemish-language Belgian public broadcaster, has confirmed that they will not participate in Junior Eurovision 2026.
Annemie Gulickx, the current Programme Directorย of Ketnet (the childrenโs channel of VRT) has confirmed to ESCSpot that they will not be returning to the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2026. Gulickx did not outline any specific reason behind the decision; however, last year the broadcaster explained that they could not participate due to a lack of budget.
RTBF, the French-language Belgian broadcaster, has not stated yet whether they will participate in Junior Eurovision 2026.
Belgium last participated in Junior Eurovision in 2012. Their participation was initially shared between VRT and RTBF but VRT was solely responsible for the selection of Belgian entries from 2006 to 2012.
Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026
To date, the following broadcasters have confirmed their intention to compete in the 2026 contest:
๐ฌ๐ช Georgia: GPB
๐ฎ๐ช Ireland: TG4
๐ณ๐ฑ Netherlands: AVROTROS
๐ฒ๐ฐ North Macedonia: MRT
๐ต๐ฑ Poland: TVP
๐ต๐น Portugal: RTP
๐ธ๐ฒ San Marino: SMRTV โ Bidding to host the 2026 contest
The following broadcasters, who have previously participated, have declined returning to the contest:
๐ง๐ช Belgium: VRT โ Last participated in 2012
๐ฉ๐ฐ Denmark: DR โ Last participated in 2005
๐ณ๐ด Norway: NRK โ Last participated in 2005
๐ธ๐ฎ Slovenia: RTVSLO โ Last participated in 2015
๐ธ๐ช Sweden: SVT โ Last participated in 2014
๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณWales: S4C โ Last participated in 2019
The following broadcasters have ruled out debuting in the contest:
๐จ๐ฟ Czechia: ฤT โ Never broadcast the contest
๐ซ๐ฎ Finland: Yle โ Last broadcast the contest in 2003
๐ฎ๐ธ Iceland: RรV โ Last broadcast the contest in 2021
Source: ESC Spot
Belgium in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest+
Belgium took part in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest from 2003 to 2012. From 2005 onwards, VRT was in charge of selecting their entries, due to a lack of interest from RTBF. The country hosted the 2005 contest in the city of Hasselt, which was jointly organised by VRT and RTBF. Their best entry came from Laura Omloop and her song โZo verliefd (Yodelo)โ, which finished 4th at the 2009 contest in Kyiv. VRT withdrew from the competition in 2013 in order to launch a new show for young performers in Belgium.