Canada is now eligible to participate in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest after its public broadcaster, CBC/Radio-Canada, became a full member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). The decision followed a vote at the EBU's 96th General Assembly in Prague, marking an upgrade from associate membership held since 1950.
Details of the Membership Upgrade
As an associate member since 1950, CBC/Radio-Canada had collaborated with European public broadcasters on journalism, standards and technology. Full membership grants access to the entire breadth of EBU collaboration, including participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Canada joins non-European countries like Israel, Australia and Morocco, as well as transcontinental nations such as Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, that have participated in the contest.
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.'
Reactions from CBC/Radio-Canada
Marie-Philippe Bouchard, President and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada, 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. 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.'
Impact and Broader Context
The vote to promote CBC/Radio-Canada followed a revision to the EBU's Statutes, also approved by the General Assembly. The revised framework opens extra-European membership to broadcasting organizations 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 a radio broadcaster, CBC/Radio-Canada today is a multiplatform public service media company serving Canadians across six time zones in English, French and eight Indigenous languages. The EBU's membership now spans 115 organizations across 57 countries.
