The European Broadcasting Union (EBU-UER) has approved 3Cat, the group that includes TV3, as an "auxiliary member," a new category for broadcasters without national reach. The decision came at the EBU's General Assembly and brings Catalonia's public media closer to major European broadcasters, a goal it has pursued for years. But the new status has a clear limit: TV3 cannot participate in the Eurovision Song Contest, a privilege reserved for full national members.
The Corporació Catalana de Mitjans Audiovisuals (CCMA) has sought EBU membership for years, and the issue became a basic promise in Esquerra Republicana's European election campaign. The new "auxiliary member" status allows 3Cat to work with 114 members across 56 European countries, as well as 31 associate members worldwide. It opens the door to sharing news and resources, with cooperation also covering proven methods, digital change and regional journalism. The EBU's cross-border reporting shows what that work can involve: 3Cat and Spain's public broadcaster RTVE are among 17 newsrooms in its "Mapping Russia's hybrid war" project. Other participants include France Télévisions and NRK, along with ORF, ZDF, SVT and Yle. The project documented incidents recorded from 1 April to 15 October 2026. Still, TV3's lack of national coverage keeps it out of Eurovision, a decision EBU representatives confirmed during the assembly.
3Cat has worked with the EBU for over 15 years, particularly through Catalunya Música. That established relationship helped prompt the creation of the auxiliary member category for public operators like 3Cat. EBU president Noel Curran said 3Cat brings valuable experience in Catalan-language content and public service journalism, adding to the diversity of Europe's media field. Its work with Eurovision News Spotlight also connects it to a joint reporting network that produces and verifies journalism with other public broadcasters.
The EBU's Eurovision rules remain strict despite 3Cat's new affiliation. Only full national members, including Radio Televisión Española (RTVE), can represent Spain at the contest. TV3's only potential route to Eurovision would open if RTVE declined to participate, as it did in the previous edition in protest over Israel's involvement. Otherwise, Eurovision slots depend on national coverage or special invitations, as in the cases of Australia and Israel. Taking part in EBU-linked journalism projects is a separate form of cooperation and does not grant entry to the contest.
The EBU also admitted CBC/Radio Canada, extending the union's international reach. Esquerra Republicana has publicly welcomed the development, saying it gives Catalan public media greater legitimacy and a stronger European identity. Party leader Oriol Junqueras said TV3 and Catalunya Ràdio will now stand alongside major European broadcasters such as the BBC and France TV, as well as RAI and Deutsche Welle, even though Eurovision remains out of reach for now.
The EBU is the world's largest alliance of public service media organizations. It sets industry standards and organizes major events such as Eurovision. Its membership structure separates full members from auxiliary members, who lack certain rights, including access to flagship events. Admitting 3Cat as an auxiliary member reflects continuing debate over regional representation in European media and the changing field of public broadcasting in Spain and beyond.
