The Eurovision Song Contest is launching in Asia, with ten countries set to participate. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced the expansion on Tuesday morning. The final will be held in Bangkok on November 14 this year.
Martin Green, head of the Eurovision Song Contest at EBU, said in a statement that as the contest celebrates its 70th anniversary, it feels particularly meaningful to start this new chapter with Asia, a region rich in culture, creativity, and talent. The participating nations are Thailand, South Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. Entries for the final in Bangkok will be selected through national finals.
as the contest celebrates its 70th anniversary, it feels particularly meaningful to start this new chapter with Asia, a region rich in culture, creativity, and talent.
Green added that it is about developing Eurovision with Asia and building something that reflects the region's voices, identities, and ambitions while holding onto what has always made the contest special. This expansion is EBU's first initiative to engage multiple countries on a continent other than Europe. Four years ago, the Eurovision concept was launched in the US as the American Song Contest, but it was a failure and only lasted one season.
it is about developing Eurovision with Asia and building something that reflects the region's voices, identities, and ambitions while holding onto what has always made the contest special.