SBS secures an exclusive option to develop the Eurovision Song Contest concept in Asia
Monday, 21 March
Building
on the recent announcement revealing Australian Eurovision contestant Dami Im’s
competing song “Sound of Silence”, SBS and production partners, Blink TV are now
exploring the opportunity to establish the Eurovision Song Contest concept in
the Asia Pacific region, offering broadcasters and sponsors the opportunity to
be a part of this amazing event.
Chairman for the Reference Group of the Eurovision Song Contest Dr.
Frank-Dieter Freiling said:
“We
are excited by the fact that Eurovision’s appeal is crossing continental
borders to Asian countries. SBS Australia has been broadcasting Eurovision for
over 30 years, so we feel they are a perfect partner to build an alliance of
networks with, and give Asian songwriters and artists the opportunity to
perform on the Eurovision stage.”
SBS
Managing Director Michael Ebeid said:
“As
the official broadcaster of Eurovision for over 30 years, SBS is pleased to
explore the opportunity to bring an event of this calibre more closely to our
shores, strengthening the multicultural ties in our region. Asia Pacific has a
spectacular music culture and the perfect next step to extend the Eurovision
brand, bringing its hugely popular appeal beyond Australian audiences and to
the wider region.
“SBS
is the home of SBS PopAsia establishing a robust reputation for Asian language
programing and the greatest offering of programs and services in Asian languages
of any other network in Australia. We look forward to working closely with
organisations across the region and realising this amazing opportunity.
“Increasingly
Australia is playing a greater role in the global community and SBS sees
entertainment as one area in which we can play an active role in strengthening
Australia’s ties with Asia as part of our overall commitment to reflecting
multiculturalism and contributing to the social health of our communities.
“We
are pleased with the very early discussions across the region and look forward
to working with our neighbouring broadcasters to realise this vision.”
Executive
Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest Jon Ola Sand said:
“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.”
Capitalising
on the success, production values and scale of the Eurovision Song Contest,
Eurovision Asia would encompass Asia Pacific nations, bringing together up to
20 countries to compete in one extraordinary live annual Grand Final.
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.
SBS
Eurovision production partners Blink TV would play an integral role in
developing Eurovision Asia as a broadcast event. Over the next few months it
will lead discussions with potential sponsors, commercial partners and regional
broadcasters with hopes to bring this event to fruition in 2017.
Blink
TV Director Paul Clarke said:
“Since
Moscow 2009, alongside SBS, we have been building Australia’s alliance with
Eurovision, a brand that champions diversity, song writers and performers.
“Blink
TV and SBS have been granted an opportunity to grow the Eurovision brand from
an audience of 200 million, to a potential Asian audience of more than a
billion viewers. I am certain we can build the team for this wonderful
opportunity, and we look to partners in our part of the world to join us. Asia
has an astonishing set of musical and visual cultures, and it will make for
brilliant television.
“Imagine
– the musical virtuosity of Bollywood, the cutting edge of K-pop, and the
excitement of Chinese and Japanese artists – now the biggest music consumers in
the world. We are looking to build these partnerships, starting now. It’s a
thrilling idea.”