United Kingdom: EBU junior budget too small

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The reason why ITV cancelled the organization of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Manchester has been revealed. Granada television, who would have produced the show, pulled out of the deal, claiming the allocated budget of 1,5 million euro was too small.

The European Broadcasting Union offered Granada funding of � 900.000 to make the two-hour arena event, featuring 18 countries, but the company said it would have cost almost 2,5 million euro.

Granada controller of entertainment Mark Wells said: �We had an amicable discussion with the EBU, saying we were struggling to make this show with the funds allocated and asked them to find a new host broadcaster.�

Last year's Junior Eurovision Song Contest, which was broadcast on ITV1, proved to be far less popular than the adult version of the competition – attracting just five million viewers at its 7pm slot. This year, ITV has decided to move the show to its digital channel ITV2, where the British junior national final will also be broadcast on 4th September.