Kazakhstan will broadcast JESC 2017 with hopes of debuting in 2018

Over the past few hours, Kazakhstan has been the country on everyone’s minds. Today, Kazakh broadcaster Channel 31 officially announced its brand new status as an EBU associate member. Furthermore, the channel will broadcast the 2017 Junior Eurovision Song Contest according to escportugal.pt.

“Proud to become part of Eurovision”

The news was announced via a news bulletin on the channel which you can watch below. As translated by ESCKAZ.com, Channel 31 producer Nurzhan Mukhamedzhanova stated:

“We’re proud to become part of Eurovision. Our kids will get a chance to meet Junior Eurovision participants from other countries, chat with them and exchange opinions.”

Kazakhstan are all aboard for Tbilisi

The Kazakh broadcaster will send a delegation to Tbilisi next week for the 2017 contest. Furthermore, a group of young Kazakh performers including Danelia Tulesheva and Muhammedali Zhugunusov are scheduled to perform at Tbilisi’s Euroclub next week as part of a special hour dedicated to Kazakhstan. As stated by ESCKAZ.com, the Junior Eurovision final itself will be broadcast on Channel 31 on a slight delay. The show will begin at 10pm local time on November 26th.

Aim is to take part in Minsk

However, will this allow Kazakhstan to participate in next year’s Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Minsk? Channel 31 claim that this is their aim. The channel’s producer has stated that the main aim of this membership is to participate in the 2018 contest. It remains to be seen whether this will be the case.
Channel 31‘s EBU associate membership makes them the second Kazakh broadcaster to earn such status. In January 2016, Khabar Agency became the first Kazakh associate member of the EBU. However, despite interest from the broadcaster to take part in the adult Eurovision Song Contest, the EBU have yet to grant them special permission to enter as they have done for Australia as a result of the latter’s long-standing Eurovision interest. As things stand, Kazakh broadcasters do not satisfy the criteria needed to become a full EBU member.
Are you excited by the prospect of Kazakhstan participating in future Junior Eurovision Song Contests? Or, do you think Channel 31 is being too optimistic? Let us know in the comments below.