Australian broadcaster SBS has announced that it has signed an exclusive option with the EBU to establish an Asian version of the Eurovision Song Contest. SBS and production partners, Blink TV, are now exploring the opportunity to establish the format in the Asia Pacific region, bringing together up to 20 countries to compete in one extraordinary live annual Grand Final, Eurovision’s official website reports.
“The first Eurovision Song Contest was held in 1956 with the aim of uniting nations and exploring new television technology. Since then, over 50 nations have taken part in this competition which reaches nearly 200 million viewers in Europe every year”, said Jon Ola Sand, Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest.
The inaugural event would be hosted by Australia in 2017 and thereafter in other countries in the Asia Pacific. The broadcast rights will be licensed on a global basis and the event will offer the chance for Asia Pacific countries to showcase their song writing and performing talent to the world.
In May Australia will compete in the Eurovision Song Contest for the second time. Last year Guy Sebastian represented Australia and finished 5th in the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest. Dami Im will represent Australia in the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm.
