After placing
5th in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2015, Australia will compete in
the semi finals in 2016
History was made in Vienna earlier this year when
Australia debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest. Initially envisaged as a
one-off to celebrate the event's 60th anniversary and Australia's long
tradition of broadcasting the show, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and
Australian broadcaster SBS are proud to announce that Australia will
participate again in 2016.
"The feedback we got from viewers, fans, press and
the broadcasters after Australia's participation in Vienna was overwhelmingly
positive," says Jon Ola Sand, Executive Supervisor of the contest on
behalf of the EBU. "We strongly believe the Eurovision Song Contest has
the potential to evolve organically into a truly global event. Australia's
continued participation is an exciting step in that direction, "It remains
to be seen what such an event may look like in the long run," Sand
continues.
In Vienna, Australia was guaranteed a spot in the final.
Next year, Australia will have to compete in one of the two Semi-Finals.
Australia's participation is secured for 2016, but it is yet to be decided
whether Australia will become a permanent participant in the contest.
"SBS is
thrilled to have secured this opportunity for Australia to compete at Stockholm
in 2016 and thank the European Broadcasting Union for their invitation. The
Eurovision Song Contest is a wonderful example of cultural diversity and social
inclusion and our continued participation offers a fantastic opportunity to
showcase Australian musical talent in a truly international multicultural
celebration. Production partner Blink TV have been integral in supporting our
ambition to build Australia's presence on the world's biggest stage and
together we look forward to again bringing the Eurovision experience to our
screens." says CEO and Managing Director SBS, Michael Ebeid. Earlier this
year, Australia was represented by megastar Guy Sebastian who finished 5th in
the Grand Final with Tonight Again.
The EBU Reference Group, the governing body of the Eurovision Song Contest, voted unanimously in favour
of Australia's participation. The group consists of three elected
representatives from the participating broadcasters, the Executive Producer of
the upcoming contest, the Executive Producers of the previous two contests, the
EBU Executive Supervisor and a Chairman.
"Europe and
Australia have a lot in common in regards to cultural values and when a
broadcaster is so committed to bring great acts to the contest, the only right
thing to do is to be inclusive," says Dr. Frank Dieter Freiling, Chairman
of the Reference Group. “This is also a way for many Australians to re-connect
with their European roots, and celebrate our shared cultural values and
understanding through music”, he added.
In case Australia
wins the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest, the 2017 contest will be co-hosted by
Australian broadcaster SBS and another European public broadcaster, somewhere
in Europe. The next Eurovision Song Contest will take place on 10, 12 and 14
May, 2016, in Stockholm's Globe Arena, co-hosted by Swedish public broadcaster
SVT and the EBU. 41 countries are expected to take part.
In addition to this exciting news, Australia will make its
debut in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2015 in Sofia, Bulgaria this coming
Saturday when Bella Paige will perform her entry My Girls. The 13th Junior Eurovision Song Contest
will be hosted by Poli Genova, who represented Bulgaria in the Eurovision Song
Contest 2011 with her song Na inat. Follow all the
action over on the website of the Junior Eurovision Song
Contest. by
eurovision.tv
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