RAI, the Italian national broadcaster, have revealed the final reasons behind their withdrawal from the 2020 Junior Eurovision Song Contest. Children’s programming has changed from been entertainment-based, to educational-based.

Simona Martorelli, the Head of Delegation, had the following to say:

“The pandemic has presented us with unprecedented new challenges by shifting RAI’s offering from entertainment to educational content to compensate for school closings, there-by supporting the primary needs of children and families. This has also involved changes in the programming schedule by Rai Gulp.”

Luca Milano, the Head of Children’s Content for Rai Yoyo and Rai Gulp, had the following to say:

“As a public service broadcaster, we have to help by offering content for children. This is what we can do. We are not in the health system, but information and the media can be very supportive.”

Author: Richard Taylor

Source: Eurofestivales