Two years and twice in the top five: Australia’s Eurovision history might be just starting, but it’s already looking very impressive. Dami Im eclipsed Guy Sebastian’s heights at Eurovision 2015, nearly winning the 2016 contest and dominating the jury vote in an absolute landslide. That degree of success seems to have spurred the Australian broadcaster SBS on, as they’ve now confirmed they have plans to bring the first ever Asiavision contest forward a year to 2017.

In comments made to news.com.au, Helen Kellie, the broadcaster’s content chief, said that Dami’s success “renews our confidence in the idea that this is a big brand”. Initially, SBS were hopeful for a 2017 launch but a first contest in 2018 was also a strong possibility. Thankfully, SBS have been doing a lot of work to start preparing already and things are looking up for an earlier start.

Kellie also revealed more details about the first edition and the groundwork for the contest. Asiavision is still just a tentative name, first of all. SBS has also been in talks with broadcasters in China, South Korea and Japan to form a reference group, with the possibility of India also being part of that same group. We are all for some K-Pop vs. Bollywood action on the stage, y’all!

The first edition might not be quite on the same scale as Australia has got used to at Eurovision, however. The plans are set for a final with only 12 countries – which would put the contest more on a scale with some editions of Junior Eurovision as an equivalent. SBS have, however, received “lots of interest” from their regional partners with regards to the contest, which is surely a good sign going forward.

There was also praise for the EBU from Kellie, who said that they have been “incredibly supportive” of SBS’ efforts so far. Eurovision Event Supervisor, Sietse Bakker, spoke to us prior to Eurovision 2016. In that interview, he said that there is even a possibility that the winner of Asiavision could go on to Eurovision itself as a representative for the region:

Are you excited about the progress being made with the Asiavision contest? Would you be happy to see a smaller first contest if it meant a 2017 launch? Let us know down in the comments section below.

Photo: Courtesy EBU

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Amor Amankwah
Amor Amankwah
7 years ago

I would love to see this! Australia would fit in better and I would love to see China finally getting into a Eurovision like competition.

Rodrigo Garcia
Rodrigo Garcia
7 years ago

There used to be a Eurovision-like contest in the Americas. It was called OTI and it featured Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries such as Brazil and 2 European countries: Spain and Portugal. In the 70’s and early 80’s, it went hand-in-hand with Eurovision. I recall those nights when OTI was broadcast all over the Americas and we followed those country-by-country voting (early 70’s, then the system changed in the 80’s to a jury’s voting). In the early 2000’s, the OTI contest faded away in Mexico -probably it won’t revive again…..ever. In its heyday, the winning country at OTI had to host… Read more »

karminowe.usta
karminowe.usta
7 years ago

It`s good idea. I hope Europe would show this competition:)

Felix
Felix
7 years ago

I really want Worldovision already :/

Henry
7 years ago

There are in Asia and Europe transcontinental countries like: Russia, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Amenia and Turkey, but I think better for Kazakhstan has to join the ”Asiavision” and NOT the EUROvision as only one. It is hard enough to win Eurovision, Kazakhstan is . I think the other transcontinental countries have to stay with Eurovision because they belong there. Hopefully no Eurovision debut for Kazakhstan ever! awfull! And hopefully the EBA dissappears, that Asian countries dont participate in 2 contests but only in 1, the Asian one

1942
1942
7 years ago

@Hauntedex Sweden/Ukraine 😀 LOL does the participation or statistics in Eurovision indicate the quality of musical market of the countries. For example the UK is musical-wise the most developed country in the world with Adele, Leona Lewis, Ed Shiran, Ellie Goulding, Annie Lenox and thousands of others. They have some brilliand contestants in Voice UK, Idol etc… but they are not successful in Eurovision. So why would Phillippines be successful at Asiavision? Just because they have developed musical Market. As for Ukraine, LOL

Sal
Sal
7 years ago

Good, they can leave Eurovision then!

Fatima
Fatima
7 years ago

Adam, the last time I looked at a map, Azerbaijan/Armenia/Georgia/Turkey were all in Europe!

Hauntedex
Hauntedex
7 years ago

Philippines can bring some voices that are stellars! I predict them to be the Sweden/ Ukraine of Asia

fikri
fikri
7 years ago

wait, i meant y’all need to stop PMSing lol.

fikri
fikri
7 years ago

y’all need to start PMSing. they haven’t worked out the mechanics yet on how asiavision winner gonna enter eurovision. there is a possibilty of eurovision winner coming to asiavision even. unless that has been officially announced, then you guys can start bitching.

btw, the song contest is for asia-pacific region. russia, turkey and these raggedy-ass eurasian countries are not in asia-pacific (although having them in asiavision will make it super competitive, no doubt).

albertos
albertos
7 years ago

Eurovision is dying since 2015; I haven’t enjoyed these past two years. I can’t remember such dramas in 2005 or 2006. Is any country in Europe (except for GB) involved in the Grammys? Why does not the winner of ESC compete in the American charts? They just don’t want European music in their country, even though many songs are much better than some released over there. It comes to my mind songs like Birds by Anouk, which I think would be considered truly masterpieces if they were American. But then, the Europeans, we welcome everyone – Australia, Justin Timberlake –… Read more »

Kjell
Kjell
7 years ago

It would be great if all continents would have their own contest. On top of that there can be a worldvision/globalvision/earthvision with the winners (or top 3) of each continent.

ARCHIFY
ARCHIFY
7 years ago

I hate the idea. SBS has just started to participate. And is changing things. You can’t beat ESC! And you can’t duplicate a unique contest. We should keep it as 1 contest. To keep the popularity. As soon no one will watch it! I hope someone agrees as, if the winner of ASC gets to perform at ESC, it will ruin it! As its EUROPE NOT ASIA!!

mmm
mmm
7 years ago

The winner of asiavision should get a wild card in Eurovision. yeahhhh

Criticca
Criticca
7 years ago

I hope Australia will be the country to start it and not Korea. They tried it with ABU Song Festival and it was hot mess of a show full of K-pop acts with some international acts inserted.

Ian from the Philippines

Good!

For two years now I’ve been banging my drum that Australia should earn thier slot at Eurovision. This is that show.

I know people are vexed that an Asian country might in theory enter Eurovision. But then again, It beats Australia participation forth at fact that there just über fan.

hasa
hasa
7 years ago

Australia is a bit remote and inaccessible, so Singapore would host instead.

Ben Rafter
Ben Rafter
7 years ago

Countries that should take part:
1. Australia
2. China
3. South Korea
4. India
5. RUSSIA
6. Turkey
7. Georgia
8. Indonesia
9. New Zealand
10. Sri Lanka
11. Saudi Arabia
12. Bangladesh

J.C.
J.C.
7 years ago

Adam don’t touch Georgia and Armenia ignarant fool.

J.C.
J.C.
7 years ago

Good news for Turkey and Azerbaijan..

george orwell was right
george orwell was right
7 years ago

No Thanks.

SBS is a tax payer funded Australian broadcaster that pushes the false song of globalism and multiculturalism down our throats on a daily basis. Just more bread and circuses for the unwashed masses to keep them distracted.

Australian tax money should NOT be directed into a singing contest when we have critical issues that need funding like homelessness, elderly care, disability support and countless more ….

p.s. SBS couldn’t run a chook raffle let alone a world class event.

Yoeman Cassar
Yoeman Cassar
7 years ago

It is not fair! So instead of thanking the EBU for letting them take part in EUROvision, they will start a contest themselves !!!! WTF ?????

nn
nn
7 years ago

China wili win every year thanks to diaspora and televote. Only other can winn if juries do like with Russia in Eurovision to give them small points to be like Poland this year with result form juries.

nn
nn
7 years ago

That means that we wili see Australia again in 2017, 2018 and to prepare to EBU baby wili push hard by juries voting like in 2016 and 2015 , and to wili hard promote on eurovision.tv and on eurovision youtube channel like in past 2 year.

Medved
Medved
7 years ago

Hope Russia joins Asiaviasion and never returns to this corrupt contest again.

Musti
Musti
7 years ago

People, imagine! In 20 years, the top 5 from every continent will gather to compete in Worldvision!

Dian Novita
Dian Novita
7 years ago

It’s good if Australia include in Asia instead of Europe. Can’t wait for Asiavision and hopefully my country, Indonesia, will take parts on this too.

fikri
fikri
7 years ago

since you guys love politics so much, i think y’all should tune in. all of asia hates each other. it’s like eurovision on steroids.

Hugh
Hugh
7 years ago

Hopefully some Pacific States get involved too 🙂 the main issues that the participants will have relate to cost, especially for smaller countries. Even Moldova is far richer than most of Asia.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
7 years ago

I would be very surprised if there was any interest from our country.
Despite coming second in Eurovision, nowhere is reporting on Dami Im and almost nobody knows who she is.

I do not think her success in the competition is going to lead to a clamour for an Asiavision contest.

:D
:D
7 years ago

Hope Middle East joins Asiavision!!

@Mar HAHAHAHAHA that will never happen, believe me. And I’m saying this as a Latin American. We’re not united, and if there exists a lot of neighbor voting in ESC, in “LatinAmericanVision” would be even worse. It’d actually be cool, but won’t happen, but if it does, it will disappear in 2-3 years because that’s has happened with a lot of singing contest with Latin America.

Delilah Wayne
Delilah Wayne
7 years ago

@Jonas I do know Cyprus is a member of EU. I meant the island is geographically in Western Asia (or the Near East), though politically and culturally it is considered as being in Europe just like the countries I mentioned in my previous comment. So even tho Armenia is not situated in Europe, they could also be a member of EU.

Nikos
Nikos
7 years ago

Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, India (Big 5)

Philippines will win the contest a lot like Ireland for ESC. Filipinos have many talent shows and contests and so there are lots of singers to choose from, and all can sing in English.

How far west will Asiavision go? Will small Oceanic countries like Vanuatu and Fiji participate? (The new San Marino!)

ESC84
ESC84
7 years ago

No chance, there is no interest from almost all asian country…

Mar
Mar
7 years ago

I’d love to see an Asiavision, regardless of how many countries are involved. Maybe France could compete for French Polinesia.
Now if only someone could get the idea to make a LatinAmericavision (+ maybe Canada), that’d be great…

Jonas
Jonas
7 years ago

Delilah –

Cyprus is, in fact, in Europe. It is also a member of the EU, and they use the Euro of currency. Azerbaijan is wholly in Asia.

D
D
7 years ago

Good, start Asiavision and get out of Eurovision.

Emma
Emma
7 years ago

@Adam: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey are all in Europe as is a part of Kazakhstan so they should compete in the Eurovision

Delilah Wayne
Delilah Wayne
7 years ago

Russia, Turkey, Azerbaijan Kazakhstan and Georgia are transcontiental countries which means they are both situated in Asia and Europe. Some of those countries has more land or/and people in Europe more than most small countries in Europe. Armenia, Cyprus and Israel are not situated in Europe, however Armenia and Cyprus are considered European states by EU. EBU organising the contest has nothing to do with EU nor that sort of thing. Anyway I guess someone lacks some stupid information that’s why I needed to write it. As a Turkish I am supporting with the idea joining the Asiavision more than… Read more »

Jonas
Jonas
7 years ago

I’m all for “Asiavision” if it means Australia stop participating in the original Eurovision – so the sooner it happens, the better. As for the winner of Asiavision competing in Europe, my heart sank when I read that. Please, please, please abandon that idea immediately. Why would they want their own contest, and then still participate in “ours”? Can us Europeans then send our own entries out to Shanghai or wherever? It would seem to defeat the whole purpose of the new contest.

Bigger is not always better! Stop this madness! Won’t somebody think of the children?!

Patrick
Patrick
7 years ago

I’m excited!

Thiefo
Thiefo
7 years ago

Asiavision… Australia is not Asia either 😛 Oh Australia, always participating in contests you don’t belong to! Hah!

Joking aside, this looks like an interesting project and I’m looking forward to see how it unfolds. Also interesting the idea of letting the winner go to ESC, but would it be as another contestant or just as a guest? Either way, next stop is a similar contest for the Americas and then we can have a true Worldvision!

_Peyton22
_Peyton22
7 years ago

I would actually really enjoy if they created an “Asiavision” contest and the region of Asia competed in the Eurovision with the winner!

Adam
Adam
7 years ago

Azerbaijan/Armenia/Georgia/Turkey could go to Asiavision. Kazakhstan would most likely do that too

Adam
Adam
7 years ago

I hate seeing things fail which is why im wary about this starting. I’d hate to see this take off and fall apart after a few years.

Though i would totally LOVE an Asiavision. Just like how Eurovision has scandi-pop, balkan ballads, mediterranean dance music, etc. it would be totally cool to have some ethnic indian music competing against KPOP, JPOP, and oriental sounding chinese music, along with some middle-eastern music too. I love the idea of all those cultures being brought together.

Darren
Darren
7 years ago

Wasn’t there already an Asiavision held in Mumbai a few years ago? Then they changed the name to Our Sound or something like that, pretty sure Australia had their participant picked and everything, that not happen?

blondboybc
blondboybc
7 years ago

OOOPS! I meant having lived in ASIA! Sorry! LOL! 😀

blondboybc
blondboybc
7 years ago

Bring it on! I can hardly wait! Asia-Pacific has so much talent, diversity and energy! I’ll definitely be a major fanboy, having lived in Asian for 4 years! Can you say “excited”! 😀

Darren
Darren
7 years ago

I hope Asiavision takes off, it would be great to see what some of the Asia nations bring to the stage. Plus Australia can also be full time participants and get the benefits of actually hosting if they win, unlike their Eurovision attempt.
I think we will have Australia in Eurovision until Asiavision becomes a reality, then I imagine they will be fo using on that. Australia will probably be in Eurovision until 2017/2018.