Why is Australia in Eurovision?
Australia is in Eurovision because Australian broadcaster SBS gets good ratings from the Song Contest, and pays the European Broadcasting Union to take part.
The Eurovision Song Contest is theoretically a musical competition for European nations. Therefore, it is a bit strange that Australia enters. So, why is Australia in Eurovision?
There are really two parts to this question. Firstly, why is Australia allowed to be in Eurovision. And, secondly, why does Australia want to be in Eurovision?
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Why Australia is in Eurovision
Australia is allowed to be in Eurovision because there’s no specific reason why it can’t be. The Eurovision Song Contest is run by the European Broadcasting Union, an alliance of public service broadcasters. Essentially, if the EBU decides to allow an outsider to participate in Eurovision, the outsider gets to participate.
It’s worth noting that the EBU’s membership is not strictly European. Public service broadcasters from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Morocco are members. Morocco has entered Eurovision in the past, although the other non-European members decline to. This is at least partly due to the presence of another non-European country – Israel – in Eurovision.
European Broadcasting Union associate members
The EBU has associate members in different parts of the world, including SBS in Australia. Associate members don’t have an automatic right to participate in Eurovision, but SBS asked and the EBU agreed.
Australia is in Eurovision because Australian broadcaster SBS pays the European Broadcasting Union to take part.
History of the Eurovision Song Contest in Australia
The first Australian Eurovision entry was Tonight Again by Guy Sebastian in 2015. But this wasn’t a random foray into a competition being held thousands of kilometres away.
SBS has broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest since 1983. Since then, Eurovision has gained a loyal audience and strong viewing figures. This is partly because the contest has a fun, camp cachet, but largely because millions of Australians have European heritage.
Whether recent immigrants, or with roots from immigrant grandparents, Australians have strong links to Europe. The Eurovision Song Contest becomes something of a celebration of those links.
That’s why Australia wants to be in Eurovision. Other countries would probably be allowed in too, for the right sum of money – they just haven’t applied.
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