Yeah I can see The Voice Kids struggling for views here, at least to the level ITV would expect for their main channel, unless they get the judging panel alongside will.i.am absolutely spot on. I think The Voice Kids Germany is on a minor channel (Lena has been a coach on their version for a while now), I can already see The Voice Kids potentially getting relegated to ITV2 for the second year of their 2-year contract. If it doesn't though, and does get decent viewing figures, hopefully that will give ITV a reason to think Junior Eurovision could attract a decent audience again.

Confirmed participants (16)

 

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Albania.png Albania: Klesta Qehaja - Besoj

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Armenia.png Armenia: Anahit Adamyan & Mary Vardanyan - ???

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/au.png Australia: ???

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Belarus.png Belarus:

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Bulgaria.png Bulgaria: Lidia Ganeva - Valsheben den (Magical Day)

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Cyprus.png Cyprus: George Michaelides - Dance Floor

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/FYR_Macedonia.png F.Y.R. Macedonia: Martija Stanojković - ???

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Georgia.png Georgia: ???

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Ireland.png Ireland: TBA 6th November

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Italy.png Italy: ???

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Malta.png Malta: Christina Magrin - ???

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Netherlands.png The Netherlands: Kisses - Kisses and Dancin

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Poland.png Poland: TBA 15th October

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Russia.png Russia:

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Serbia.png Serbia: ???

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Ukraine.png Ukraine:

 

Possible participants (3)

(With a somewhat realistic chance of participating)

 

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Israel.png Israel

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Spain.png Spain

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Sweden.png Sweden

France confimed not to take part? That's disappointing. It wouldn't really make a difference but I was hoping Grassi would push for taking Eurovision in all its form as seriously as possible.

Unfortunately yes it does seem to be confirmed as France 2 have been quoted here as saying they won't be returning this year "regretfully". It surprised me as I thought all of these changes with the contest were done with a France and/or Germany return in mind - particularly the former with Grassi in charge as you say. I thought it was practically a done deal when Grassi was on the Maltese JESC selection jury and introduced as "France's Junior Eurovision Head of Delegation" but seemingly not.

 

I imagine that 16 is the final line-up. Spain and Sweden don't really have an concrete evidence that they could be returning, just lightweight rumours that they could be interested - Sweden's just because they said last year that it was just a one-year break they were having. Israel is surprisingly the most likely additional participant following reports from local media outlets there that IBA wants to maximise all Eurovision opportunites while they are having great success, but that line-up of 16 seems like what we'll get which is still a good amount considering what was happening prior to 2014!

I've heard a full version of the Dutch entry live and it sounds amazing, definitely met my high expectations following the preview! Not sure it is a winner, but definitely sounds like a top 5 contender if we can say such a thing with only a few songs out so far. Full studio version is expected on September 28 with the official music video on October 1!

The final list of countries participating has been revealed and we have 17 entrants, Israel making a last minute return after all! This is the same number as last year, and just 1 of the all-time record set back in 2004. Hopefully the new format is a success so that record can be broken next year; Cyprus have already confirmed participation at Junior Eurovision 2017.

 

 

5 of 17 entries revealed!

 

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Albania.png Albania: Klesta Qehaja - Besoj

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Armenia.png Armenia: Anahit Adamyan and Mary Vardanyan - ???

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/au.png Australia: ???

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Belarus.png Belarus:

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Bulgaria.png Bulgaria: Lidia Ganeva - Magical Day

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Cyprus.png Cyprus: George Michaelides - Dance Floor

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/FYR_Macedonia.png F.Y.R. Macedonia: Martija Stanojković - Love Will Lead Our Way

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Georgia.png Georgia: ???

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Ireland.png Ireland: TBA 6th November

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Israel.png Israel: ???

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Italy.png Italy: ???

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Malta.png Malta: Christina Magrin - ???

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Poland.png Poland: TBA 15th October

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Russia.png Russia:

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Serbia.png Serbia: ???

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Netherlands.png The Netherlands:

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Ukraine.png Ukraine:

 

My ranking:

01 http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Netherlands.png The Netherlands · 02 http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Albania.png Albania · 03 http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Russia.png Russia · 04 http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Ukraine.png Ukraine · 05 http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Belarus.png Belarus

 

(I'm going to edit this information into the first post and keep it up to date there!)

Poor Melodifestivalen overshadowed again with the news that Australia will be represented by Alexa Curtis in Malta, the winner of The Voice Kids for Delta Goodrem's team the same year Bella Paige finished 2nd. Perhaps Delta will be giving Alexa another of her rejects?

 

 

(nearly 100 million views! :o)

 

Well this is something I wasn't expecting to hear in Eurovision, let alone Junior Eurovision! It is some sort of 90s trance song with no chorus apart from a slightly cringeworthy Dizzee Rascal-esque 'my world is a dance floor' lyric. The production on this will make for a fantastically intense performance in Valletta but it is surely one of the most unsuitable songs for Junior Eurovision ever! But then maybe that will work in its favour who knows?

The entries are continuing to roll in, Australia are the 9th country to reveal their song and it is written by a team that includes Ali Tamposi who is well-known for writing DJ Snake's Let Me Love You and Kelly Clarkson's Stronger! :o

 

 

It's quite generic, but in a good way like an 'A Million Voices' is. That said, I think it fights for the same votes as Bulgaria (and isn't quite as good) and that could put both of them out of the running. I think Belarus could still be favourites to win at this stage...

Special shout out to Bulgaria who are currently on the brink of doing the double in terms of topping my Eurovision rankings this year! :o

 

It be may be in a smaller venue this year, but the stage looks amazing! *.*

 

Ongoing Governmental copyright dramas in Macedonia meant MRT had to pull the TV premiere of their entry the other night, but we can now see it on YouTube and Macedonia have FINALLY PRODUCED SOMETHING THAT IS RELEVANT!

 

Love Will Lead Our Way is a TROPICAL HOUSE-INFUSED bop that is probably still a bit "grown-up" to pull in massive votes - although the 100% juries should help this be less of an issue - but Macedonia are finally not going to finish last (for what feels like the first time in ten years but probably isn't that long)!

 

Okay I caved and that is solidly in the top half of all the ESC stuff that's ever come out of Macedonia (as damning with faint praise as that is). Colour me somewhat impressed!

YASS! *.* It's like If Love Was a Crime's more tropical, less mature cousin!

 

I've had this on repeat for the last hour which is strange considering it is a JESC song even for me! Straight at the top of my rankings and I very much doubt it will be dislodged.

It's good for a JUNIOR EUROVISION song but let's not get carried away otherwise

(Italy may have just won despite having a song called "Dear Mom" with said mom appearing in the video)

I am HERE for their Meghan Trainor tribute without hearing a note

 

Someone needs to tell me why the melody from the middle 8 (2:05 onwards) is very familiar, I can't quite put my finger on it.

What a treat I have for you all tonight, you can now check out an official recap of all 11 entries so far!

 

Send your Tops and Ratings of the contestants of the Junior Eurovision 2016 in Malta. :dance:

 

My TOP-11 Junior Eurovision 2016 :heart:

 

youtu.be/PVFjvYPmfZA

Edited October 24, 20168 yr by den4ik