The United Kingdom was a founder member of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2003, when EBU member ITV was responsible for the British participation. However, despite a 3rd place in 2003 and a 2nd place in 2004, ITV withdrew in 2006 due to disappointing viewing numbers. There has been no UK participant in the contest since 2005 as a result.
However, this may be about to change, and from an unlikely suspect. Welsh language broadcaster Sianel Pedwar Cymru, or S4C, is a full active member of the EBU, which is the key requirement for participation in either the ESC or the JESC.
The International Relations department of S4C has shown interest in a possible participation in the upcoming JESC, in a bid to share the Welsh language with a larger audience than it's ever had before. Discussions are still in their early stages, but if S4C do eventually decide to go forward and apply for participation, it would be the first Welsh language song seen in either the JESC or the ESC.
Despite being principally a regional broadcaster, S4C is widely available throughout the UK on either analogue, digital or Sky. A participation for S4C would mirror the situation in German, where NDR, also a regional broadcaster, is responsible for the participation of the entire country.
The JESC will take place later this year in Limassol, Cyprus.
