Eurovision 2016 has just wrapped up, with Australia taking second place thanks to entrant Dami Im. Just when you thought the hype had started to die down, SBS have have revealed that a new Asia-Pacific spin-off could take place as early as 2017.
Back in March we heard that SBS had acquired an exclusive option with the European Broadcasting Union to create an Asian version of the song contest. However, the announcement came with very few details about the specifics of the contest.
Now more has been revealed, with SBS chief content officer Helen Kellie telling news.com.au that the network is currently in discussions with China, Korea, Japan and possibly India to join the contest.
“I think [this year’s Eurovision] renews our confidence in the idea that this is a big brand…what I can say is that we’re absolutely working on plans to get this happening next year,” said Kellie, who also conceded that whilst 2017 would be a target, 2018 was a more likely start date.
Kellie also confirmed that SBS are hoping to get 12 countries on board, and revealed that since Dami Im’s success in Eurovision there had been even more interest in the potential to hold an Asiavision song contest. “We’ve had a lot of interest. At the moment, our focus is on getting that reference group going. We want a set of partners to help us shape what the show is.”
Although Kellie acknowledges that the creation of an Asia-Pacific contest may jeapordise Australia’s chances at being invited back to Eurovision, she is optimistic that we will be asked back in 2017. “We’ll have everything crossed that we’re invited to compete again, but it’s very much their choice,” Kellie said.
Watch: Dami Im – Sound Of Silence
