In recent days Eurovision fans have wondered out loud whether the announcement of Eurovision Asia would lead Australia to withdraw from the original Eurovision Song Contest.
But on Thursday broadcaster SBS put that chatter on hold as they announced that Australia has been invited to participate at Eurovision 2018 in Lisbon.
Writing in a statement, SBS Managing Director Michael Ebeid said: “SBS is proud to secure Australia’s return as competitors in the Eurovision Song Contest for the fourth year, as the country’s unique affection and passion for Eurovision continues to grow.”
“In Guy, Dami and Isaiah, SBS has showcased the incredible talent of Australia’s musical performers on the world stage, and in turn, the wonderful diversity that makes up Australia today.”
“It’s also great to be welcoming back hosts Myf Warhurst and Joel Creasey after they perfectly captured the spirit of the contest in their debut this year. We’re looking forward to revealing more exciting news in the coming months.”
Myf and Joel, you’ll remember, also hosted the SBS special Eurovision Top 40 Songs earlier this year.
Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest
Australia has experienced remarkable success since first competing at Eurovision in 2015, securing three Top 10 finishes in a row.
Guy Sebastian announced their arrival with feel-good funk that landed him in fifth place, and Dami Im took things to another level a year later — winning the jury vote and coming second overall. That’s a tough act to follow. But Isaiah Firebrace still managed to come ninth in Kyiv.
“It’s wonderful that we’re back!” Paul Clarke, Australian Head of Delegation and Director of Blink TV, said in the statement.
“In the three years that we have competed in Eurovision we have achieved huge success, ranking second in the results overall behind Sweden. It’s an exciting challenge for us to find a competitor who can fly the flag high for Australia, and we can’t wait to begin that search.”
Unlike other nations at Eurovision, Australia must receive a special invitation from the host broadcaster in order to participate.
Are you excited about Australia’s return? Who do you think that they should send? Let us know in the comments box below.
Would definitely love to see Samantha Jade represent Australia at Eurovision! Not only would she serve killer vocals, she would also bring amazing choreography to her performance, which is something Australia has lacked in the past.
? wtf literally why ?
this is like estonia joining eurovision asia who tf
Oh, gosh, that Australia again… They should stick to Asiavision, not sending their crappy acts to Europe
Most overrated country in Eurovision, thanks to juries points in semi and final.
Most overrated country at Eurovision, thanks to juries.
EBU wants their baby in contest in 2018,2019….
I am so happy and excited we’ve been invited back to participate next year! I thought, once Eurovision Asia was announced, we’d be booted from ESC for sure. Kind of shocked we get to be in both!
I’m also happy to see Joel and Myf back, they have a great rapport, and I enjoy their good natured injection of Aussie humour in their commentary.
I would love to see Jessica Mauboy as our entry for Lisbon. She just gets better and better as a performer.
I don’t think Portugal was given much of a choice. Do you really think that the EBU would allow them to deny/not invite their participation? Don’t delude yourself, Australia is EBU’s precious child that will be kept for as long as possible.
Call me old fashioned, but I always felt that it’s theoretically unfair that some countries can enter both (because they have an EBU membership as well as the ABU – or in Australia’s case both) that I always felt that they should enter one and not the other — also if you consider it, it is the financially smarter option since you have to pay two participation fees that will likely be a lot of money.
I know some countries did both with Turkivison but in the end, often they dropped out of one for the other…
Ugh, nooooo. Wish they wouldn’t come back.
As an Australian I’m happy that I get the chance to vote again and show some of our country’s talent to Europe. But on the other hand Isaiah was terrible and her placing in the jury was just undeserving and I still don’t understand why it happened. I want my county to go well if they deserve to.
Mixted emotions about Australia every year.
I’m really glad they participate, because they’ve been eurovision fans for decades and they always send good entries.
However, Australia is a “jury friendly” country, which was clearer this year.
The point that they’ve been invited again in 2018 is not a surprise. I was sure they would be there. They need Australia, either it’s good or bad.
Hope for another quality entry!
Portugal and UK has the oldest alliance in the world..its difficult start a war between those 2 countries
My point exactly. So no beef between Australia and Portugal. East Timor is now an independent country anyway.
love love peace peace 🙂
What the hell has East Timor got to do with it… it was Indonesia who invaded it, jesus.
Australia recognize that invasion!!! jesus
After the Portuguese left it for the Indonesians to invade and claimed it as part of Indonesia when Portugal left after sucking it dry of all its resources and when the east temorese then fought for independance and the Indonesians then destroyed any infrastructure and murdered tens of thousands of locals and Australia was asked by the newly elected president of the country to help rebuild the country and supply them with health care food etc – yup no hard feelings
They have high quality songs and artists, no doubt
But no one can deny that the juries overrate Australia every year, specially in 2017…
let the jury wanking begin
I find this somewhat disappointing. For whatever reason, the juries hold Australia in such high regard that the country is virtually guaranteed a spot in the Grand Finals, despite a poor performance from Isaiah in 2017 that only received two votes from the public and some 119 votes from the juries! At the very minimum, the 11th place finisher in the Semi in which Australia is placed should be allowed to advance to the Final.
Don’t forget that juries and the public don’t judge the same performance.
At this point there’s no turning back anymore. Australia should stay for good.
They have worked for a steady seat in this contest with amazing entries to look forward to every year. Honestly, I’m tired of the pointless ‘Will they be back or not?’ At this point.
Australia has proven to bring some quality to this contest and their absence would leave a hole in Eurovision.
What about Poland to stay in semi-final on 11th place, and Australia to qualify?
If it’s another Color Of Your Life it better stay in the semifinal 🙂
Like a thorn in your soul, will they leave a heart shaped hole?
A thornshaped hole in my heart xD
Their only good entry was Tonight Again in my opinion. Sound of Silence was just totally emotionless and bland – a complete “vocal show off” song – just like Denmark this year. And 2017 was just boring and the performance definitely didn’t improve it
I couldn’t disagree more. Sound Of Silence and mostly Dami’s vocals made every other entry look like amateurs.
Tonight Again is honestly on my third place of all three entries so far. It was still enjoyable, but Sound Of Silence was on a much higher level.
I agree that ‘Sound of Silence’ was bland, but only the studio version. She had the pipes/lungs to sing it amazingly for two nights, and got a well-deserved 2nd (with a 4th place vote from the public). ‘Tonight Again’ was appropriate, and in a year with a lot of ballads in the final (or at least as I remember it) a shining example of a solid pop song. I actually liked “Don’t Come Easy,” but conversely I think the staging just wasn’t right. I hope Sasha Jean Baptiste learned her lesson in that she should really just focus on a… Read more »
That’s because you like Guy, and sound of silence FYI has more views and likes than tonight again, 5 times more, so your comment is out of order. Dami almost won and you are not happy. Get a life.
IMO, which is like every internet opinion… just a fart in the wind… is: vocally, Dami is superb, 5 star rating… as a visual entertainer she seems flat footed, Guy is superior in that department and very easily so. They both have their strengths and weaknesses, and I like them both. Should AU be there no, EU’s voting habits are way to political (and sadly Asia vision will be more then likely worse).
I’m fine with them but no more overrating please.
Yes! I’m so happy they’re returning for another year! I absolutely adore Dami Im and really like Isaiah!
Looks like they really are an official member now. Can’t wait for the United States to join next year…
They can’t join as they had broadcast ESC over 2 years only, the next one must be Kazakhstan or Kosovo (if they get the EBU green light).
ESC has a huge following in Australia and has been broadcast from the 70s- we’ve been watching longer than many countries have been participating.
Barely anyone in the US knows about a European song contest airing on a niche LGBT channel
This is really great news! 🙂 Australia in Eurovision a year ago had very big influence on me, and while I may not be that dedicated fan of Eurovision like others here, I think it’s really good to have them back again. Let’s say without Australia participating I wouldn’t be interested in what’s happening for Eurovision already that early, yet before Polish national selections at the beginning of next year.
Solomon Islands confirmed the participation in the contest!(Eurovision Asia)
Really? Can you link it please?
sorry I wasn’t 100% correct, but they are intrested as New Zealand- you can check it out on Eurovoix World and Wikipedia:)
Ridiculous… they need to leave this contest asap and join the other one. You’re not Europe and you will never be!
Eurovision =/= Europe
And guess what? I learned that Europeans explored Australia a few centuries ago! 😉
and guess what? Portugal put Australia in the world map! Who do you think discovered Australia? Portugal for sure
strange..because Portugal and Australia are not good friends… Indeed they almost don´t have any diplomatic relationship….
Well if Cyprus participated in Turkey and Macedonia in Greece, I don’t see why Australia should withdraw for any reason whatsoever.
what are you talking about?!?!?!
Australiarecognize the Timor´s invasion by Indonesia and Portugal never forgot that
They had several diplomatic problems..even the people in Timor said they prefer to deal with portuguese them aussies…
Because EBU invited Australia to take part! Portugal wasn’t invited them!
It’s indicated in this article that the BROADCASTER (RTP) sent an invitation to SBS .. not EBU.
They don’t have any problems between them ! How can you advance that ?
they had several diplomatic problems…maybe you don´t know!!
Australia didn´t even participated at Expo´98…
Australia recognize Timor´s invasion by Indonesia, and Portugal never forgot that
read something about it
I’m portuguese and can assure you there’s no diplomatic problems between us, i’ve never seen it talked about here neither did everyone i know. This guy is just spreading his conspiracy theories bs, just another fella who loves to create drama and lies.
Lmfaoooo 😀 Obrigado Joao 😉
Eu também sou português e posso assegurar-te que os dois países tiveram um claro distanciamento diplomático que nunca foi bem resolvido.
Por divergência diplomática não signica que haja qualquer conflitualidade, ou peixeirada nos meios de comunicação social Uma coisa é tu e outros não estarem minimamente informados sobre o assunto, outra coisa é tentares colares os outros à tua ignorância
Im portuguese too and he didn´t lie. How the hell portuguese people are so ignorant about their own situation?!
uma sugestão: o mundo não começou quando tu nasceste, e o facto de seres português não te dá legimtidade de assegurar o quer que seja sobre o país quanto estás num site estrangeiro! Raio de atitude pequena
ugh but who cares about diplomatic relationship?
This guy …. Kai. He also imagines that Australia and Portugal aren’t friends …. wtf is the role of friendship between those countries in this whole story ? 😀
i don´t imagine anything…maybe you should read somethiing about it!!!!
… well friendship is not under any circumstances the best word to describe what goes between Armenia and Azerbaijan right now … and I remember when in the 70s when most of us here were two different seeds Greece and Turkey avoided one another because of Cyprus I guess this guy wonder what kind of perception Australia has of Portugal and vice versa … cause with Portugal winning for the first time ever apparently he feels like the world is wondering “wait a minute … what is this thing called Portugal?” which for the most part is both ignorance and… Read more »
well Armenia didn´t participated at esc 2012…
by the way the world didn´t asked what is that thing called Portugal , after winning eurovision for sure..don´t be silly
eermmmm and who cares about your opinion?
the same mood…right?
It is a little bit difficult Portugal and Australia being besties when being on opposite sides of the world.
its not about that honey….Australia recognize the Timor´s invasion by Indonesia…hello?!?! And Australia didnt had the same relation with Portugal like UK or USA had….
its quite simple!!!
Not like they have any with Ukraine
”After the Portuguese left it for the Indonesians to invade and claimed it as part of Indonesia when Portugal left after sucking it dry of all its resources and when the east temorese then fought for independance and the Indonesians then destroyed any infrastructure and murdered tens of thousands of locals and Australia was asked by the newly elected president of the country to help rebuild the country and supply them with health care food etc – yup no hard feelings” by Kim on Wiwibloggs on 25th August, 2017 at 2:00 PM And that’s why you said Portugal and Australia… Read more »
I think Australia as culture and music doesn’t belong to Eurovision Asia! The Australian descendants are Europe native and love the Europe music. Australia should be a permanent contestant of ESC without an invitation! They prove they are more europeans regarding their geographical locations!
It means you don’t know how modern Asia is.
I’m really fine with Australia in the contest, as long as they send expirienced artist, with a good song. Cause Australia being ‘better’ then Switzerland, Georgia, Finland, Estonia, Serbia and Poland is just strange. So I really hope that they pick something better, cause it seems that when they send something that isn’t that good, they might be a problem for viewers.
More Europeans than the American and Latin American? umm let’s see!
Australia will win next year in Lisbon, wait and see. A win will ensure participation until 2019 at least, giving ABU a chance to make Eurovision Asia expand, or at least we will know if there will be a second contest. Im so sick of people here saying that they should be in Eurovision because they are culturally and politically European….so what? That doesnt make them European. If we were to use that ‘logic’ then every country in North, South and Carribean America could participate, as well as New Zealand and some of the African countries too. For god’s sake… Read more »
Agree 100% nothing more to add.
@Darren – for the people who will say the same “What about Israel, Azerbaijan etc” well, they are a damn sight closer to Europe than Australia.
”CLOSER” is not enough, if we are talking about geography, borders are borders. Israel should be in ESC Asia.
Probably Israel should be in ESC Asia, however, their continued participation in ESC is way more relevant than Australia. Israel is directly across a narrow stretch of sea from Cyprus, a European country and EU member state. Israel also isnt overhyped by Eurovision media and juries etc. In fact, they rarely do that well and have suffered non-qualification for years. Closest European nation to Australia? Hmmm…. Australia cannot even host Eurovision if they win, so honestly, what is the point?? Id welcome non-European countries to Eurovision like Morrocco and Tunisia etc because atleast they are close to Europe…but Australia’s continued… Read more »
Yeah okay Israel, but Azerbaijan is in council of Europe + UEFA and Baku is actually in Europe check it out
No they won’t, hun. You’ll see.
Australia winning??? only in your dreams
Whoo we’re back! Third year in a row they’ve invited us on a one off basis though, they should either make us permanent, let others join in temporarily or just get rid of us now for fairness’ sake. Also I hope we send Samantha Jade, Jess Mauboy or the Veronicas with a more upbeat song (hopefully the national final gets some big names!) On Myf and Joel- Myf is awesome and been a fan of her for ages since ‘spicks and specks’, I reckon Joel still has to prove he’s not just the token gay guy (because we all know… Read more »
I guess when the EBU farce will stop? If they want adopt officially as permanent participant at should make a one-time general meeting to ask all members of the EBU about to accept the SBS as a full member instead of inviting them annually.
Also its not fair they can participate in both song contests ( the European and Asian one).. Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia , Turkey and Russia .. even Kazakhstan (If ever EBU let them debut) will ask do the same.
I don’t see why it’s unfair. Russia couldn’t because they are not ABU members, but Azerbaijan could do both yes, and what’s the matter? These are 2 different separate competitions. Regarding the permanent participation though, you’re right, they should do this.
Russia (Rossiya 1) is associate ABU member! http://www.abu.org.my/Membership-@-ABU_Members.aspx
I meant full membership but thanks for correcting 🙂
Russia, Georgia and Armenia are not members of the ABU so they cannot apply to participate in the EASC. However, if Kazakhstan is allowed to participate in the ESC, that makes five countries (alongside Turkey, Azerbaijan, Jordan and Egypt) that can apply for both competitions
I love the concept of ESC Asia, but in terms of its music, Australia is in Western Europe. They fit better here than in a contest for the Asia-Pacific, where they would’ve either stomped the competition or floundered at last place. Polegend Godgarina is right on the socio-cultural points as well. Isaiah was great, but I am hoping for Delta Goodrem, The Veronicas or Jessica Mauboy! Although even our lesser known artists are great!
I’ve read somewhere that if Australia can do both competitions for 2018, but from 2019 they’ll have to opt into one or the other.
Technically Turkey and Azerbaijan can do both.
I am not sure that they will have to choose. Maybe it will depend on the success of Eurovision Asia, if it flops or become huge.
Myf and Joel are trash.
I come from a neutral place, as I am not Australian, and ask this out of curiosity. Are they really considered trash? On the red carpet they seem quite sweet and classy.
Myf is great.
Sigh
The more, the merrier! I hope they opt for a national selection to avoid a tragic mess like this year.
Australia is truly getting the best of both worlds. Hannah Montana has been found DEAD.
”The more, the merrier!”
Easy to say when you are big5 already in the final.
Really? Can you link it please?
Just to be clear I am not a Australia hater, BUT I don’t think they should participate in ESC, espacially after Eurovision Asia is in the works, it’s not right. As I wouldn’t like for example Belgium to participate in Asia’s version, just because a lot of people watch there.
Boo hoo. Australia’s culture and mentality is closer to the Western European than to the Asian ones. Places like Russia and Armenia are more out of place than Australia in the Eurovision, which promotes the social progress those countries aren’t here for. It’s not just about geography, sis.
Didn’t realize only progressive countries were allowed in Eurovision.
Didn’t say that. Learn how to read.
You did not say it explicitly but u also did not shy away from stating you prefer a progressive nation like Australia to be part of it instead of Russia and Armenia, which are not progressive. You have your criteria … plain and simple.
@Polegend, Have you been in Armenia or Russia’s european part for once? Do you know everything about these nations’ social mentality or even progress? I’m half armenian and half russian and this kind of comments really disgust me.
I’ve been to Russia actually, succ on dat 🙂 and don’t try to deny they’re very socially conservative compared to the West. Isn’t everything from America branded as ~propaganda~ there?
Saying “everything from America” do you mean lgbt rights or what?
Everything means Everything … so think of everything of American nature that is regarded as American propaganda in Russia in the worst way (food, movies, music, etc).Cause you don’t need to have American propaganda to know what Russia feels about the LGBT community … Russia knows really well how to showcase their bigotry and hatred in cristal clear perfection.
Oh please, american movies, food and music are so widespread in Russia that can’t be considered as propaganda. You talk like you have been living in Russia for all your life.
yeah, but so are USA, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa… and what just because we have similair culture we should let them in EUROPEAN CONTEST?… + Russia and Armenia are both at least half European, while Australia is zero. And you said it’s not just about geography, I agree, but just, because in Russia or some other Eastern European country don’t have the same social rights means they aren’t European, no that’s Europe too, USA has that kind of thoughts – only UK, Ireland, Italy, France , Benelux, Germany, Spain, Portugal and Scandi countries are Europe – anything else is… Read more »
USA, Canada and South Africa are not EBU associated members and did not broadcast the contest for 30 years. Your comment is irrelevant, thanks bye.
Armenia isn’t geographically in Europe at all, though. Israel ain’t either, but they’ve been competing since the 70s. Yet no one complains! The double standards are REAL! Oz remains unbothered with its three top ten finishes, still.
Well, I know that, as I said not everything is in geography, but they ARE part of European council, they DO compete in ALL mayor European events, they DO consider themselves European (most of them), they can join EU since they HAVE European culture. And about Israel(they are not liked by their neighbours so they compete in all European competitions) they are also part of UEFA… so there’s that. And a guy before you also commented something; well I know they don’t, but if they would watch it and broadcasted it would be the same for them as for Australia,… Read more »
Technically, the three countries you mentioned all have EBU associate member stations. So they could be invited by the host broadcaster if they so choose, but I don’t really want Canada or the United States participating in the contest
Canada: CBC/SRC
South Africa: SABC
United States: ABC/APM/CBS/NBC/NPR/WFMT
Not surprised…and totally pleased. Australia consistently bring quality. I’m hoping for a major A-list act this year, like The Veronicas or Samantha Jade.
The Veronicas are not a good message to send to the world (They’re clearly junkies) and Samantha Jade can’t sing live.
“They’re clearly junkies” — wtf?? Is this like a known thing? As with my question above, I’m not Australian, so ask because I’m interested. I really like their music and hope they are not junkies.
We have so many options, why you gotta keep pushing The Veronicas?
Because 4ever slays your fave’s entire discography.
GREAT NEWS! All you Australia haters — deal with it.
You should tell that to the TV viewers cause those were the ones awarding Australia nothing but 2 points … so … haters or not … they will be still asking the same question “what is Australia doing here?” … you’d better explain them why … or Australia will be given null points from the televoting at this stage.