Canada’s national broadcaster, CBC/Radio-Canada, has officially become a Full Member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), following a vote at the EBU’s 96th General Assembly in Prague.
CBC joins the EBU as a full member
Following a vote at the General Assembly, CBC/Radio-Canada was promoted from Associate Member to Full Member of the EBU. The change follows an amendment to the EBU Statutes, which now allows broadcasters outside Europe to become Full Members provided their country has a public service media system aligned with Council of Europe standards and holds observer status with the organisation. Canada meets both requirements.
As a Full Member, CBC/Radio-Canada will now have access to the EBU’s full range of collaborative services, including the Eurovision News Exchange, Euroradio Music Exchange, investigative journalism networks, verification projects and digital news initiatives.
EBU Director General Noel Curran welcomed the decision, saying:
“CBC/Radio-Canada has been part of the EBU family since our foundation in 1950.”
He added that Canada’s broadcaster had already made major contributions to public service journalism and that Full Membership would allow both organisations “to do even more together.”
What does this mean for Eurovision?
While Full Membership does not automatically confirm participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, it represents a major step forward for Canada’s long-rumoured ambitions.
Last November, the Canadian government confirmed it was working alongside CBC/Radio-Canada to explore participation in Eurovision, the first official acknowledgement that the country was considering entering the Contest.
Shortly afterwards, CBC spokesperson Leon Mar told media that the broadcaster would “have more to say about the Eurovision Song Contest later”, further fuelling speculation over a possible debut.
Until now, CBC held Associate Membership, meaning participation would have required a special invitation from the EBU, similar to Australia’s debut in 2015.
Whether Canada’s new status changes that process remains unclear, with the EBU yet to comment on what Full Membership means specifically for Eurovision eligibility.
A broadcaster with growing Eurovision links
Although Canada has never participated in the Eurovision Song Contest, its connection to the competition has grown steadily in recent years.
Canadian viewers have long followed the Contest through streaming and international broadcasts, while Canadians have also left their mark on Eurovision history, most notably Céline Dion, who won the 1988 Contest representing Switzerland with Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi.
The broadcaster also announced that it will immediately begin full participation in both the Eurovision News Exchange and the Euroradio Music Exchange, describing the move as an important milestone that will strengthen cooperation between Canada and public broadcasters across Europe.
For now, neither the EBU nor CBC/Radio-Canada have confirmed any plans regarding Eurovision 2027. However, Thursday’s announcement represents the latest step in the broadcaster’s growing relationship with the EBU.
Whether Canada will eventually join the Eurovision Song Contest remains to be seen.
News source: EBU / CBC
Photo credit: CBC/Radio-Canada
Thomas James 
Rory Gannon