Eurovision Song Contest Launches First-Ever Asia Edition

The Eurovision Song Contest, known for its vibrant stage presentations and eclectic performances, is expanding its reach with a groundbreaking Asia edition. Ten broadcasters from across the region, including South Korea, Bhutan, Thailand, and the Philippines, have confirmed their participation. The contest’s official website indicates that more nations are anticipated to join, with the list still open to additions.

This new format will see countries conduct national selection events before the grand finale in Bangkok, which will air live on 14 November. The contest originated in 1956 and has since become the globe’s most enduring international music competition. Martin Green, director of the Eurovision Song Contest at the EBU, highlighted the significance of the milestone: “Celebrating the contest’s 70th anniversary, we find it especially poignant to debut this new chapter in Asia, a region teeming with cultural diversity, artistic flair, and musical talent.”

Rules and Legacy

Eurovision mandates that all entries be original compositions with live lead vocals, evaluated by both industry professionals and public votes. The competition has launched the careers of legendary acts, such as Sweden’s Abba and Canadian star Celine Dion, who competed for Switzerland in 1988. Last year’s event drew 163 million viewers, featuring a wide array of music from energetic pop anthems to emotive ballads.

However, Eurovision has also become a platform for international disputes. Several countries are boycotting this year’s contest in Vienna, scheduled for May, due to concerns over Israel’s participation. Russia, excluded since 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine, has launched its own global music competition, Intervision. Despite multiple efforts to create an Asian counterpart since the 2000s, none have succeeded until now.

Host City Choice

In a statement published by the EBU, Chuwit Sirivajjakul, a senior official at the Thailand Tourism Authority, argued that Bangkok should host Eurovision Asia: “Because this city has always been a place where cultures come together, where music fills the air, and where celebration is part of everyday life,” he said. The Asia edition is managed by the European Broadcasting Union in collaboration with Los Angeles-based Voxovation and Thailand’s S2O Productions.