From K-pop to J-pop, the Asia-Pacific region is brimming with fierce sounds and off-the-wall pop. But bringing its artists together in a Eurovision format for Asia takes a lot of planning. And according to Blink TV — the driving force behind the project alongside SBS — it won’t happen in 2017. 

When asked by TV Tonight whether the event would take place this year, a Blink TV spokesperson said: ‘The answer is no, it’s not happening until 2018.”

Blink TV — a comedy, entertainment and music production company — has produced a variety of acclaimed programming, from quiz shows to long-form comedy series, and has worked with media brands including the UK’s Channel 4, Sweden’s SVT and Denmark’s DR. Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams, Tina Arena — they’ve all worked creatively with Blink.

But you guys will know the outfit best for their work at Eurovision, which has resulted in three Top 10 finishes in as many tries, including a jury win for Dami Im back in 2016. They recently produced the Eurovision Top 40 Songs special for SBS Australia.

Earlier this week the company secured big-time investment from Roadshow Films, which will no doubt give it added steam as it moves forward.

“Our big vision is to bring the Eurovision brand to Asia, with the support of SBS and the EBU,” Blink TV’s Paul Clarke said with the announcement. “Roadshow has a strong track record of successfully releasing entertainment projects through Northern Asia.”

You may recognise Paul from the Eurovision green room. He’s the man in the top photo next to Dami.

In March 2016 SBS and the EBU announced a joint-deal to establish an Asiavision Song Contest in 2017 with the first contest being held in Australia. Asiavision is still just a tentative name.

SBS has also been in talks with broadcasters in China, South Korea and Japan. The talks revealed a series of obstacles, including political tensions between the region’s three big music markets. Chinese law actually prohibits the broadcast or streaming of South Korean pop music and entertainment. That bold move came in response to South Korea’s deployment of THAAD — the United States’ Terminal High Altitude Area Defence missile system.

The host city and country for the event have not yet been decided, despite earlier plans for Australia to host the inaugural edition. China was subsequently revealed as the host of the first edition, though it seems plans have changed. Clarke revealed in an interview that he was in talks with Hong Kong, Sydney and Singapore to host the show.

If the contest takes place, there will be wide range of countries who can participate, as ABU members stretch from Turkey to New Zealand and from Mongolia to the Maldives.

Asia’s vision of song contests

The European Broadcasting Union has been trying to secure a presence on the Asian continent for decades, though a successful Asian spin-off of the Eurovision Song Contest has yet to happen.

During the 80s, the Asian-Pacific Broadcasting Union, the Asian counterpart of the EBU, launched the ABU Popular Song Contest. The event only lasted for three years. Subsequent radio contests proved as unsuccessful.

In 2008, the EBU proposed a partnership with its Asian counterpart to establish an Asiavision Song Contest, later rebranded as Our Sound. Officials had hoped to launch it in 2009, but it was rescheduled to take place in March of 2010 in Macau before being rescheduled for India later that year. In the end it never happened.

Not much later, the Asian-Pacific Broadcasting Union announced two different Eurovision-like formats: the non-competitive ABU Radio Festival and the ABU TV Festival. They’ve run since 2012.

Who would you like to see in the first Asia-Pacific Song Contest? Let us know in the comments below!

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Escaddict
Escaddict
6 years ago

It would not make sense for Australia to host AsiaVision when Australia is not in Asia. Better dump that name.
A huge problem would be time zones. There are so many zones across the countries that would complete. It may be 5pm in one country & 1am in another. Live voting would be a mess. I don’t see this working.

Steve
Steve
6 years ago

Asiavision will NEVER happen! Too many obstacles and hurdles including political and economical. Unless you want S. Korea, Japan, Singapore, Philippines, New Zealand and Australia as the only participants every year. Plus I don’t see Asians becoming huge fanatics like you see with Eurovision. If it does happen, it will be short-lived like the last one.

If Asiavision does happen, Australia will continue to participate in Eurovision, according to Paul Clarke. They may no longer be invited after the disaster that was Isaiah.

Josie Rizal
Josie Rizal
6 years ago

Here in Philippines it was a big deal for us when our local superstar Regine won the Asia-Pacific Contest in Hong Kong in 1989. That’s why we call her ‘Asia’s Songbird’ nowadays. I wouldn’t mind seeing this happen again. I would like to see Australia host it first.

Bella
Bella
6 years ago

I really want to see Vietnam in Asiavision if it ever happens!!! Some of my favorite artists from Vietnam are Son Tung MTP, Diem Huong, Phan Manh Quynh, and Vicky Nhung! They would be amazing singers for Asiavision!! Also I like Maisey Rika from New Zealand, Yun Duo from China, and Moukdavanh Santiphone from Laos (I think that’s where she’s from). I can’t think of all of my favorite Asian singers right now but I know at least one from every country! I really hope Asiavision happens. While we’re at it…Afrovision needs to happen too cuz I know lots of… Read more »

Amor A
Amor A
6 years ago

I would really like to see this happening! All of the Kpop and Jpop artists will be great!

fastfoodmusiclover
fastfoodmusiclover
6 years ago

meh i’ve given up on watching asiavision. i bet with all the conservative countries the show will end up very vanilla.

Azaad
Azaad
6 years ago

Europe is the only continent stable enough to have a continental contest like this- perhaps smaller regional contests are better? I hope Australia gets to stay in Eurovision. It’s far more culturally European than Azerbaijan, Armenia and Israel if I’m being perfectly honest.

Mark
Mark
6 years ago

I don’t know anyone who actually wants this to happen.

DyGh
DyGh
6 years ago

I don’t think Asia is (pollitically) ready for a contest like this.

Richardinho
Richardinho
6 years ago

I can’t wait for Asiavision! I hope it’s a success. I still think, though, that Eurovision should just invite in whichever Asian countries want to participate.

Paklur
Paklur
6 years ago

It’s fine I can wait longer lol
And I hope Isyana represent my country (Indonesia) lol

Thom
Thom
6 years ago

Just leave China out its not fair for all the other nations to play to their whims. Its not like they invited North Korea, so do the same to China. An if you want Chinese music. Invite Macau and Hong Kong. They are still somewhat independent.

James
James
6 years ago
Reply to  Thom

and Taiwan. 😀

Shona
Shona
6 years ago

I honestly don’t think it would live up to the standards of esc. Also if Australia was in it they would win almost every year.

escphbelgium
escphbelgium
6 years ago
Reply to  Shona

Tbh, It’s just gonna be a showdown between Australia, South Korea, Philippines and Japan.

escphbelgium
escphbelgium
6 years ago

I think it would be easier if they left China out and let the rest of Asia-Pacific be in the contest (although I think HK and Macau would participate on their behalf)

Darren
Darren
6 years ago

Would Australia still be taking part in Eurovision if Asiavision goes ahead?? Can’t see them taking part in both.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

My controversial comment of today is “I prefer New Zealand”.

ESC84
ESC84
6 years ago

Just leave Eurovision Song Contest to the Glory Europe since people here already celebrating their Chinaphobia like they did in 2016 and 2017. Thanks but please don’ t bring your stupid politivision to our continent.

ESC84
ESC84
6 years ago
Reply to  ESC84

their Chinaphobia like they did in 2016 and 2017 (Russiaphobia)

drama
drama
6 years ago
Reply to  ESC84

Because China political figure is very horrible .no free speech .always bullying small country.

anihc
anihc
6 years ago
Reply to  ESC84

Oppress the small country

ImpressiveInstants (new video on link)

Yuna should represent Malaysia if they were to compete.

oggy
oggy
6 years ago

Siti Nurhaliza or Noraniza Idris can should too for represent Traditional Song hehehe 😀

Teijei
Teijei
6 years ago

Omg thats the best idea I’ve ever heard. Now I really want Asiavision lol just for Yuna

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

If some countries are in conflict with each other, then they shouldn’t be invited until they’ve resolved their issues. The Asia-Pacific is a huge continent, stretching from Lebanon to New Zealand. If China or South Korea will miss out, amen to that.

kiraki
kiraki
6 years ago

As an Indonesian I really hope for this to happen

oggy
oggy
6 years ago
Reply to  kiraki

that rights. Anggun,Agnes Monica,Raisa,or maybe Dewi Persik? Hehehe 😀

euru
euru
6 years ago

I really wanted to see Miku Hatsune standing on the Asian Vision stage as the representative of Japan this year.

Chicken Kyiv???
Chicken Kyiv???
6 years ago

This is a Shame. I’m really looking forward to Asiavision and it keeps getting pushed back.

Just leave China out of it, treat them like Europe did the Soviet union. Eventually they will be begging to be let in and take it so seriously

Stephen Podesta
Stephen Podesta
6 years ago

Having an Asia based song contest like Eurovision would be fantastic. The biggest stumbling block I foresee is China, they always want to be the big guys and want everything there own way. Answer leave China out, many other countries will take part. When China sees how everyone is taking part in all the fun, the may relent and not have so my demands. So Paul Clarke bite the bullet. leave out those that are demanding to much, those that are rocking the boat and just include all those that want to be inclusive. Australia, Indonesia, Phillipines, New Zealand, Singapore,… Read more »