We’re going live…to China!
As SVT reports, Chinese broadcaster Hunan TV will air the Eurovision Song Contest live both online and on television. This marks the first time Eurovision will hit the Chinese airwaves in real time.
In the past the network, which is known as Mango TV because of its fruity logo, has aired the show on television on delay, and last year it streamed it live online.
“Their interest has been rising, but this year it’s the first time they will broadcast both online and in broadcast,” says Eurovision executive supervisor Martin Österdahl. “It’s very interesting because in the last ten years we’ve noticed that Entertainment Television has lost ground. People have taken it as an example of the death of television. During the same period, Eurovision continues to grow and go against the trend. It says a lot about the power of the event.”
He also suggested that more countries may join Eurovision in the future, and he didn’t rule out China’s participation.
When asked how big Eurovision could become he said: “We know that Australia is competing now and there is increasing interest in Asia.”
He also pointed out the logistical difficulties of broadcasting a show across so many time zones, but added that adjusting the format could help it grow.
Hunan TV is China’s second-most-watched channel behind CCTV-1, which is run by China’s state broadcaster.
They will send a delegation of 12 journalists to watch the proceedings this year in Sweden.
Last year in Vienna we caught up with Ying Lei, an adviser in strategy & business development for the network and China’s Head of Delegation at Eurovision 2015.
According to Ying, the EBU is interested in exploring partnerships with China.
She said: “The EBU said, ‘Let’s see. We are open and are always finding new creative ways to bring new elements to each year’s ESC.'”
Ying also said that Eurovision fans in China can be divided into two camps: Professionals who admire the stage, lighting and design, and ordinary audiences who love the show for its music and fabulosity.
“Regardless of nationality or continents, we admire the best performance,” she says. “We admire the splendid stage setting, whether it’s Europe or China.”
Chinese professionals have already taken inspiration from Eurovision, as seen in Hunan TV’s re-creation of Farid Mammadov’s Eurovision 2013 staging during a New Year’s gala show in 2014.
How do you feel about China’s observation and broadcast of Eurovision? Would you like to see them compete one day?
Tick…tick…tick… (because you already know what big announcement is coming in January).
Any CPop fans got a list of artists? I can think of a few Kpop artists that could show.
I am literally PRAYING that sweden will not win the next 10 years. Honey, nobody allowed you to make the biggest show on tv so messy….
Guest participant once would be cool. But more times it just becomes annoying and awkward…
maybe turn it into a Worldvision with Asia-, Afri-, Euro-, Amerivision? and than a final every 4 years 😉
I wouldn’t mind China taking part, I really don’t. But would’t be best if they just participate in that new Eurovision in Asia sort of thing they announced a few weeks ago? I thought that was the whole point of said plans!
If they sort out their human rights record then China competing would be great. The more the merrier!
And realistically, it’s only going to continue and expand – why hold back from the inevitable?
Well, it’s all about money. They have a lot of money, they can broadcast and they will start to participate, in an European contest. While they kick European countries out of the contest. Anyway, EBU, I’m waiting for my money, I didn’t vote to give you the chance to laugh at me, at the ‘Selectia Nationala’!
Hunan TV is not members of EBU or asociate members as SBS from Australia.
Copycats and invadors, now get outta my way, China! this is Eurovision, not worldvision! you think that lots of money can take you there? Australia is criticalized and now you will be the joke of the world! nobody likes you!
Hope Philippines and Vietnam, countries also have ESC fans will slap that copycats
P/s: I’m from Vietnam
Allowing China to participate in Eurovision would be pushing it too far. While I disagree with Australia taking part too, there are some sound arguments in favor of their participation. There are none for China, however (except maybe lots of people = lots of money)
Maybe they’ll just broadcast it so the people there can get used to the format and replicate it in their region (fingers crossed)
@Skandar: Considering that Björkmann himself is trying too hard to be the Simon Cowell of Eurovision, I would not be surprised by any copying inspired by his full-of-himself persona.
I do remember that in 1978 (yes when Eurovision was not still out of the closet) some Arabic countries broadcasting the show that year replaced the actual victory of Israel with flowers … now I wonder what will China use to replace every single Rainbow flag waving during this year’s edition? Bowls of rice?
@bapak lurah & @ggmlr: i’m malaysian. 😛 hence why i’m frustrated our continent doesn’t produce our version of eurovision yet. anggun did phenomenal in 2012… echo (you and i) is one of my fav that year. i know anggun as an indonesian artist but i had no idea she’s french so when the news came up that she’ll represent france i was so pleasantly surprised. next year SBS will create an asiavision with 20+ competing countries of the asia pacific while ABU with china hunan TV will create ABU TV cup song contest… we go from no contest to 2… Read more »
@Fikri It’s just like, most of Asian countries don’t know about Eurovision because it is not broadcasted here. I live in Indonesia, and knew about Eurovision since 2008 through the internet. I guess some of the people here, at least, familiar about what Eurovision when Anggun went to the stage in 2012. Certainly, our interest is not highly as Australia, which has been broadcasting the competition for many years. And because we’re not taking part in the competition, we just don’t care. Maybe it’s different with you who has been living in Europe and your country is always taking part… Read more »
@fikri
true, my friends keep asking me what is Eurovision because I keep spamming my social network timeline with ESC lol (well I’m Indonesian. Even Anggun performed in 2012, but nobody notices it)
so I hope asiavision will really worked….
So Romania is not allowed to broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest but China is,ironic.
NOOO China NO. Australia is more or less ok, as they’ve been broadcasting ESC for decades, but China is just trying to enter a contest because they always want to be on the spotlight.
Watch it, but please stay out of this.
I really thought this matter would be put to bed after the news of the Asian/Pacific version.
@skandar: right. because europe is SO original lol.
i’m still waiting for the first asiavision… they keep talking about “growing interest in asia” but the only ones showing any interest atm are australia, korea and china. a lot of asian countries still have no idea what eurovision is all about which is a shame. 🙁
And then next year they will probably even compete in the contest along with australia while the european country Romania still cant enter !!!!
Chinese people are copying everything – Audi A8, iPad and son on, and now the Eurovision stagings. What is the next step? To copy Mr Bjorkman?
ugh no please leave china out of eurovision. they win the european music award for best worldwide act every single year and i don’t think anyone’s waiting for them to win eurovision every year aswell just because there are about one billion chinese people all around the world.
Having Australia already creates issues. I can’t bare to think of all the issues China’s participation would bring. Would they be a ‘big 6’ country? or will have have to go through the semi finals? Like do you really want a Billion people disappointed when they fail to make the final?
I don’t want to be negative or something but it seems like eurovision is becoming more and more just a television musical event like others rather than a way to unite people…
I heard that China has right to broadcast the contest until 2018. Make your debut before it is too late!!! Or debut in the pacifician ESC, this makes less jetlag for the artists
“… new creative ways…”
Sees a video of a Chinese singer and dancers copying the performance of Farid.
“Graphic design is my passion”.