Eurovision Asia Song Contest


The Eurovision Asia Song Contest is a proposed Asia-Pacific counterpart of the Eurovision Song Contest, an annual music competition between countries in Europe. The inaugural contest is, as of August 2019, in development by Australian broadcaster Special Broadcasting Service and production partner Blink TV, in co-operation with the European Broadcasting Union.

Development

In March 2016, the European Broadcasting Union penned an agreement with Australian broadcaster Special Broadcasting Service to create a version of the EBU's Eurovision Song Contest, which had been held since 1956, open for countries in the Asia-Pacific region. SBS picked up development of the contest with its production partner Blink TV. The inaugural contest, which had yet to be given a name, was to be held in Australia in 2017. The show was formally announced under the name "Eurovision Asia Song Contest" in August 2017. The inaugural Eurovision Asia Song Contest was postponed several times, partially due to political challenges, and remains in development as of August 2019.

Inaugural contest

By May 2017, Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore had signaled their bid to host the inaugural Eurovision Asia Song Contest. Singapore has said it would spend $4 million to host the contest. In Australia, the city of Sydney and the state of New South Wales have both indicated that they would commit big funds. According to a report from the city council of the Gold Coast, Queensland, reviewed in November 2018, the inaugural show was to be held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre from November 30, 2019, to December 7, 2019. However, this report has been refuted.

Participation

As of May 2016, SBS plans to allow any Asian nation to compete, which would make as many as sixty-eight countries eligible to participate. Membership in the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union is not a prerequisite for participation. As of March 2019, 10 countries have confirmed their intent to participate: Australia, China, Japan, Kazakhstan, Maldives, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, South Korea, and Vanuatu. Australia has confirmed its participation, while China, Japan, and South Korea were named as potential members of the contest's steering group.