Known for its glitzy stage costumes and sometimes outlandish performances, the Eurovision Song Contest is now launching its first ever Asia edition.
Broadcasters from 10 countries in the region, including South Korea, Bhutan, Thailand, and the Philippines, have confirmed their participation. The contest's official website lists the participating countries, stating that more entries are expected soon.
Countries will first host their own national selections before the grand final in Bangkok, which will be broadcast live on November 14.
First held in 1956, Eurovision has grown into the world's longest-running international music competition.
Martin Green, director of the Eurovision Song Contest at the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), said, As we mark the 70th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest, it feels especially meaningful to open this next chapter with Asia, a region rich in culture, creativity, and talent.\
The competition's rules stipulate that performances must feature original songs sung live, with music experts and fans casting votes to determine the winner.
The contest has helped launch the careers of notable artists such as ABBA and Celine Dion. Last year's competition attracted around 163 million viewers, showcasing a variety of musical styles.
However, Eurovision has also been the focus of political tensions. Some countries are boycotting this year's contest in Vienna due to Israel's participation, while Russia has been banned from entering since 2022, leading it to create its own contest.
Attempts to establish an Asian version of the contest have been made since the 2000s, but with no success until now.
Chuwit Sirivajjakul, a senior official at the Thailand Tourism Authority, stated that Bangkok is the appropriate host for the contest, emphasizing the city's cultural richness and vibrant atmosphere.
The Asia edition is organized by the EBU, in collaboration with Los Angeles-based Voxovation and Thailand's S2O Productions.
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