A new country that's not in Europe can now compete in Eurovision
The new country has joined theEuropean Broadcasting Union following a vote (Picture: Getty)If Australia’s joining Eurovision sparked uproar, the newest addition to the Song Contest will certainly ruffle some. . .
The new country has joined theEuropean Broadcasting Union following a vote (Picture: Getty)If Australia’s joining Eurovision sparked uproar, the newest addition to the Song Contest will certainly ruffle some feathers. Canadais now eligible to participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest after its public broadcaster became a full member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). The major development comes following a vote earlier today at the EBU’s 96th General Assembly in Prague. It also marks an upgrade of a long-standing relationship betweenCanada’s national public broadcaster and the EBU. As an Associate Member of the EBU since 1950, CBC/Radio-Canada has collaborated with European public broadcasters on journalism, standards and technology. Now, as a full Member, CBC/Radio-Canada has access to the entire breadth of EBU collaboration. Canada is now able to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest (Credits: Getty Images)The nation can now join the likes of Israel, Australia and Morocco, who are all non-European countries that have participated in the Song Contest. Additionally, there are several transcontinental countries with territory spanning across Europe and Asia, such as Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey. Noel Curran, Director General of the EBU, said: ‘CBC/Radio-Canada has been part of the EBU family since our foundation in 1950. ‘As one of the world’s leading public broadcasters, it has already contributed hugely to our Union — helping us set and uphold the standards of public service journalism that matter most right now. ‘Full Membership means we can now do even more together: on platform accountability, on trusted news, on the resilience that public broadcasters need to build for the years ahead. Canada’s voice in this community makes us stronger. ’Marie-Philippe Bouchard, President and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada, also added: ‘Thank you to the European Broadcasting Union for welcoming CBC/Radio-Canada as a full Member. ‘This new chapter in our relationship with the EBU and its members will deepen our cooperation at a time when the collective impact of public service media is essential. The development marks an upgrade of a long-standing relationship between Canada’s national public broadcaster and the EBU (Picture: AFP)‘It’s an important milestone that will benefit people on both sides of the Atlantic by helping to combat disinformation and support cultural expression. ‘As a full Member, we are hitting the ground running by announcing our full participation in the Eurovision News Exchange. This will allow more Canadian news and perspectives to reach audiences in Europe, and bring more international coverage to Canadians. ’The vote to promote CBC/Radio-Canada to full Member followed a revision to the EBU’s Statutes, also approved by the General Assembly today. The revised framework opens extra-European Membership to broadcasting organisations from countries with a public service media system aligned with core Council of Europe standards and formal observer status with the Council of Europe. Founded in 1936 as aradiobroadcaster, CBC/Radio-Canada today is a multiplatform public service media company serving Canadians across six time zones in English, French and eight Indigenous languages. Deals of the DayAmazon Prime Day 3 2026 Live: Best deals from Shark, Lego, Garnier and moreA shopping editor’s picks – the best Amazon Prime Day deals right nowHeatwave incoming! This bladeless tower fan is now £84 on AmazonThis Philips airfryer with two drawers is now half price on AmazonBest Amazon Prime Day 2026 UK deals for PS5, Xbox, and Switch consoles and gamesThe EBU’s membership now spans 115 organisations across 57 countries. ArrowMORE:Strictly Come Dancing signs huge Eurovision star for 2026 seriesArrowMORE:Thomas Partey denied entry to Canada for Ghana’s World Cup openerArrowMORE:FIFA Fan Festival evacuated midway through World Cup opening gameTV NewsletterSign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.