Despite having won Junior Eurovision 2025 with “Ce Monde” in Tbilisi, France Télévisions has rejected hosting Junior Eurovision 2026.
Board of Directors decisions
Following a Board of Directors meeting on December 18, the broadcaster confirmed that it cannot commit to hosting JESC2026 in France.
In order to balance its 2026 budget, France Télévisions must make an effort of 140 million euros – combining cuts, savings and increased revenue. In order to do so the broadcaster has announced a series of measures that will be taken :
- reduce programme costs by 5%
- cancel certain shows
- increase reruns
- consider selling major sports rights
- renounce hosting Junior Eurovision 2026
This decision follows a 65.2 million drop in public funding compared to 2025.
France’s Junior Eurovision History
France took part in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2004. Represented by Thomas Pontier singing “Si on voulait bien”, France finished in 6th place earning 78 points. However, the country withdrew from the Contest, citing a ‘Eurovision overkill’. France would not rejoin the Contest until 2018. Since then, France has become a Junior Eurovision powerhouse, finishing in the top 5 in each of their four subsequent participations. France won the 2020 edition of the Contest, with Valentina singing “J’imagine”. In 2022, France won for a second time with Lissandro’s song “Oh Maman”, and subsequently won again in 2023, with Zoe Clauzure and the song “Cœur”, making them only the second country to win Junior Eurovision three times.
In 2025, Lou Deleuze represented France with the song “Ce Monde”. She won the contest with 248 points.
Are you sad that France will not host Junior Eurovision 2026 ? As always, let us know what you think by commenting down below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Bluesky for all things Junior Eurovision!
News Source: France Télévisions
Photo credit : Corinne Cumming / EBU
Like this:
Like Loading…
Post navigation