It’s been the question on everyone’s lips about the land down under, and it looks like we’re finally one step closer to finding out. Will Australia be sending an act to Eurovision in Malmö?
Australian broadcaster SBS has confirmed today at their yearly media upfronts that while the they will be broadcasting Eurovision to Australian audiences, they are still in discussions with the EBU on entering the contest in 2024.
An SBS spokesperson told Australian publication TV Tonight:
“Eurovision is a cherished part of the SBS family, our intention is for Australia to remain in the competition and we are currently in discussions. We’ll confirm details as soon as we are able.”
While the broadcaster remains tight-lipped on negotiations with the EBU, SBS previously has announced their entries as late as mid-November. It also bodes well that SBS does have a positive and well revered relationship with the EBU as an Associate Member. After receiving a one-off invite to enter the competition in Vienna in 2015, the broadcaster continued, in agreement with EBU, to continue entering the contest as an Associate Member of the EBU.
With Australia’s right to participate being up for consideration year on year, in 2019 SBS finally signed an unprecedented deal to continue entering the competition for 5 years, up until 2023. 2024 marks the first year that Australia will need to renegotiate their entry into the contest.
Australia is certainly not short of talent to enter Eurovision. With three national selections under it’s belt, many acts will no doubt jump at the opportunity to represent the land down under and have expressed interest last year – including Australia Decides acts like the avant-garde Jaguar Jonze, siblings Sheppard, and the universally loved Dami Im – who has received Australia’s best result to date at Eurovision when Sweden last hosted in 2016, coming in 2nd place.
If Australia does decide to hit pause on its Eurovision participation in 2024, the contest won’t be devoid of an Australian presence on ground. This year’s entrant for Cyprus, Silia Kapsis, hails from Sydney, Australia, and is of Cypriot and Greek heritage.
There’s no denying the hard work Australia puts in and they for sure send much more competitive songs than a lot of other countries. And contrary to popular belief, there’s a lot of interest in the contest there! One of Melbourne’s universities has even been running a Eurovision class for the past few years to analyse its impact and history. I hope they’re here to stay, and fingers crossed for jaguar jonze to get a go.
Let’s be honest. European or not, Australia is now an integral part of Eurovision and I do not want them to withdraw.
Australia is in.
What do they need to discuss about though? I don’t really understand it, to be honest. Does Australia want a fee discount? Doy they want to be part of a BIG7? I guess Australia wants to participate again, but maybe changing some conditions.
I do think it’s good to have them in.
The original deal was to only last to 2023.
The original deal was members only. Then came a one-year only invitation. THEN came the five-year deal. Now we’re at the crossroads.
Australia is in …
The novelty of having Australia in the contest is over i think. I hope EBU will give a chance for Kazakhstan this time.
Australia may not have the biggest Eurovision market, but who they have are die-hard and passionate. And they put a lot of care into the entries that submit. I think they have added a lot to the competition as a whole. There are European countries that don’t put half the effort int their entries that Australia does. I hope they stay.
I´m against them taking part, particularly against them having permanent participant status. I’ve set my boundaries.
With all respect, how the hack did Australia end up participating in the eurovision ? Isn’t this suppose to be a contest for european countries ? 1st time they where invited as a guest country then they continude to participate eversince and I dont find it hard they end up as one of the big six instead of five. In a few years this contest will not be called the song for europe but all nations song contest its all about money.
Israel is 100% Asian country. The same goes for Armenia. Cyprus, despite being part of the EU, is also geographically Asian. Azerbaijan and Georgia have parts of their territories in Europe, but they’re still Asian countries as well. Actually, if it wasn’t for the presence of Israel, many Northern African and Middle Eastern countries, from Morocco to Lebanon, would probably be participating for decades now, since they’re members of the EBU. So no, this isn’t supposed to be “a contest for European countries”, rather a contest for tv broadcasters of EBU members.
The interest in Eurovision in Australia has increased over the last few years, especially with catch up ratings as this does air at 5am on a Sunday morning with repeat on a competitive Sunday night ratings schedule at 730pm.
I can’t see with only 34 countries picked so far that EBU wouldn’t want us back to keep the contest diverse.
And selfishly heading to Sweden next year so I want Australia there haha
They have exaggerated the interest for Eurovision in Australia. Only between 300-400k people watch the final (both live and repetitive in prime time). It’s really low. Plus, none of the ESC songs (including the AUS entries) make any impact on charts or receive airplay. They see Eurovision more for the camp element and it’s big with the European diaspora and gay community. Australia is based far away from Europe and I think it was cute to have been invited but at this point I think it’s time to say goodbye. They can always vote as part of the ‘Rest of… Read more »
I’m Australian and as much as I love Eurovision (and have been in the audience live etc), I agree with Pauly. Eurovision is very niche in Australia; it is huge in that niche market though. But yes, unlike other countries, songs don’t impact charts, they don’t receive radio play and viewing isn’t really that high. IMO, I think Australia should bow out and be part of “rest of the world” now too.
And there are countries in Europe where ESC is not a big thing despite being in primetime. Where they suffer from low ratings. Countries like Romania, North Macedonia. Or Denmark. Yet they still pay expensive fee to take part every year. So why should Australia not?
Jaguar Jonze was robbed in 2022!
Australians for the most part are not interested in participating in Eurovision. If they are even aware of it, it’s just something to watch for a laugh. The decaying, hateful mess of Europe is not a club most Australians wish to belong to. The ‘negotiations’ for Australia to participate are led by middle-aged guys who want to relive their glory days and party and mingle in Europe.
Mate speak for yourself, plenty of Aussies are interested in Eurovision.
Please Australia, North Macedonia, Armenia & Romania for 39 countries !!!
Because North Macedonia & Romania it’s same like Australia : discussions !
I Hope …
Off topic: this saturday we dutchies have our regio songfestival show, one of presenters is greece 2021 esc star Stefania, and we have an ABBA tribute act interval by a band which includes our former esc alumni frizzle sizzle star Mandy Huydts
Our winner is decided by televote as well as regional juries and a professional jury
There Time Is Up . Australia Is Not Part Of Europe . It Was Fun To Have Them And I Like Some Songs From Them But We Need Actual European Or EuroAsian Nations To Preticipate Like Kazachstan , Lebanon , Moroko , Algiers , Türkiye
*Their
Off Topic:
The Israeli program “The Next Star for Eurovision” has been canceled at the moment, due to the death of 2 Israeli soldiers today, it is possible that Israel will be forced to use a method of internal selection of a representative for Eurovision 2024. It is sad news, Rest in Peace.
Yeah I asked this in the related post, but they turned off the coments, likely to avoid “Free Palestine” messages or something like that.
What about over 10.000 Pal-stinians civilians they killed within only 25 days??
Ask Hamas, they love using Gaza’s civilian population as human shields
Ask H4m4s, they love using G4z4’s civili4n popul4tion 4s hum4n shields
Israel Must Be Permenently Banned From The ESC . How Many Crimes Against Humanity Must Be Comitt By Israel Before This Happens ? Israel Only Murdered 20 Freedom Fighters But 4000 Ciwilians , Woman And Children .
It would be a huge loss for Eurovision, though. As Israel alongside Ukraine are the best country @ Eurovision.
If they weren’t so blatant about their alliance with Sweden, I probably wouldn’t mind them coming back.
But at the same time it doesn’t look right that actual European countries that are not as wealthy have to pull out of the contest due to financial reasons, while better-off Australia is still participating. It shows where the priorities of the contest are, and it leaves a bad taste.
It’s not an alliance with Sweden, it’s just a matter of similar music industries. Australia loves pop songs, Sweden too and they’re good at it. Don’t need to search further.
But I agree on the second point. It’s sad to see Romania, Bosnia or Montenegro struggling to participate while a non European country stiol takes part to the contest. But if it was only for me, I would keep Australia in the contest. They aren’t doing anything bad, they just wanna party with us and they bring very good songs. As long as I enjoy the show, I don’t complain.
Fully confident Australia will be in Malmo. They pay a few similar to the Big 5, no way the EBU let’s that go, especially having just lost Russia.
They will likely be discussing details, is it a 5 year deal or a permanent place? EBU may also try and strong arm Australia into rejoining Junior Eurovision in 2024.
It reads like Australia want to carry on, but don’t want to pay as much to the EBU.
They already pay far less than anybody else.
Wrong they pay a Big 5 level but instead of skipping the semis their reward us getting to compete at all.
Including actual membership fees, they pay far less. FAR less.
“they reward us getting to compete” or “their reward is getting to compete”.
I wonder if this year’s contest in Liverpool has made EBU pause for thought. “What the hell do we do if Australia actually win one day? Where will we host?” It was hard enough trying to find a host on behalf of Ukraine, why would anyone take on that huge cost for Australia? The same goodwill and generosity of spirit will not be there. If Australia are to stay, I’d like a definite plan going forward, please. Not a “we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it” policy from the EBU. Any invitation should come with the condition that… Read more »
Germany has always been the back up guarantee if Australia win. Speaking of Liverpool I’m sure the UK would also be glad to host again.
Does Germany know about this back-up plan?
I believe in the event of an Australian win is that SBS organizes it in a European of their choice. So SBS would have to finance it based on my understanding. Which would be different than this past year
That can not be true. SBS do NOT get to pick a city or broadcaster of their choice, that is a luxury they are not entitled to. They can not force a broadcaster or city to spend money. SBS most certainly would not be able to afford to host, be it in Australia or anywhere else. It’s a stress they will never have to worry about.
The deal was if Australia wins they get to choose a European broadcaster to co operate with. The talk was Germany but that was back in 2015, not sure if that still is accurate.
So a Austrialian ESC would be similar to the one Liverpool hosted this year, I guess
They’ll probably need to go down the line… 2nd place… 3rd… 4th… until they come to a country that says yes, which will be Azerbaijan.
The adopted host would have been part of the original contract (Germany is a long held rumour).
Obviously who the host would be can’t be revealed for fear of an influx of votes from that country (effectively voting for themselves to host)
Lots of questions but not really necessary when you know Australia is probably never going to win as public boycott the country… well, it did in the final. Half a year later, I still don’t understand how Australia finished first of its semi final with 100% public points but only ended 21st of public vote in the final… Thx god juries were there to save them.
Australia pays if they win, its just hosted somewhere in Europe.
SBS do not have anywhere near the amount of money it takes to pay.
Well they better start saving money then..
Cause they will pay for it, just like how Ukraine payed this year even though it was in Liverpool
EBU is going to keep Australia as close to the contest as possible. The situation in eastern Europe is a problem right now, between the wars and the financial issues. I don’t think organizers will accept to lose more countries.
Australia in Eurovision: the *good* imo is their enthusiasm for the event reflected also in them organising national selections. They took “Eurovision” seriously as opposed to full members – they deserve to be commanded for that <3 The 2023 act was absolutely amazing for an internal selection; an iconic performance to be loved and enjoyed in the future even when “SWEurovision” might not exist anymore. Also, it’s a pleasure (in general) to listen to their acts in interviews with one notable exception. It’s not that English is their first language – they are just well prepared. The bad, imo: what… Read more »
Who is the notable exception, my guess Montaigne?
Might it be the case they are ‘jury pets’ because their songs and performances, like Sweden, are actually somewhat consistently good ? Especially amid some of the dross at semi stage.
“It also bodes well that SBS does have a positive and well revered relationship with the EBU as an Associate Member.” Huuuuhhh … really?? No no no! That’s impossible!!
How much do associate members pay for that title? I’m guessing very little, if anything. Compared to ACTUAL members, such as Romania, who get kicked out of the contest if their bills aren’t paid. Another advantage for Australia.
I don’t know how much Australia p a y but AFAIR Romania did not for 10 or so years and that was the reason to be kicked out in 2016. Then they apparently p a i d the thing off, then participated again and qualified 2/6 times and made a big scandal about withdrawing because of the semifinal points of 2022 with five other countries and the following year they got 0 points on equal footing with San Marino that actually qualified in 2019. Yum!!
Off topic:
Israel is in 1st place in the odds to win ESC2024 for almost a month! And there are still no songs. Will it be like Ukraine in 2022?
No.
No, Europe is starting to get bored about what’s going on down there. I think people will stop to vote for Israel except if something even more terrible happens to the country.
Ironically, Europeans do care more about the situation than Arabs themselves. Arabs just use Palestinians for virtue signaling and use their conflict with Israel to justify their failures
Who tf starts betting this early?
Who cares about the odds right now? We still don’t have an official list of all countries participating in Eurovision 2024, so it’s stupid to even look at the odds at this stage.
it’s going to be the opposite I think- a strong rejection of Israel seems likely to me at least- in Europe and Australia at least public support for Israel appears low
Please, would love to see Australia keep up its strong appearance in Eurovision!
I’ve never been fully comfortable with Australia taking part. No country should get special treatment, and it seems like obvious favoritism to an Anglosphere country.
There is no justifiable reason to invite Kazakhstan to the junior contest, but to exclude them from the main contest. For example.
Kazakh people may not even be interested in the show. Kazakhstan is a conservative country, is it realistic to believe they’ll be “exposed” to “Eurovision” and on top of that stay up to watch the show, analyze it and be ready at “start voting now”?
Arguably, Australians are not interested. It’s on at 4am, nobody watches. The repeat broadcast on the Sunday evening is always the lowest rated show of the night. Even up against trash on the other networks.
The live broadcast being at the crack of dawn also has implications for the televote. Pros and cons.
Full members have low-ish viewership as well during prime time broadcast and their populations also vary yet San Marino is a full member without even being able to have a standard televote unlike Australia.
Full members have the broadcast go out on the prime most-watched national network, at primetime. SBS in Australia is the least-watched. There is no way they can compete with the commercially-funded broadcasters such as 7 or Nine.
do you really think Eurovision is competing with the big broadcasters here? When there are interviews with contestants on the big TV stations they are happy to mention that ESC is being broadcast at 3-5AM in the morning on the SBS because it doesn’t affect them one bit
San Marino doesnt have their own tele masts, and shares a country code with Italy, so you wouldnt be able to tell if the vores came from them or Italy. Thats why they dont have televote. Come again
Russian aligned dictatorship btw
Australia’s participation is surely due to the fact that they are allies of the US and the EU, hence the close relations even when it comes to entertainment and participation in the EBU. I would be in favour of inviting more countries to offer something brand new to the ESC: something less Western-y. But politics unfortunately prevent that. Nevertheless I think Australia participating, like any other country, is good. I loved Voyager last year!
I don’t think it goes that deep. Australia were invited in an attempt to hype the “brand” as a global success. They thought European audiences would be impressed.
Please no , there are already too many countries and it makes it harder for real European countries to qualify.
Can’t we just ask Taylor swift to represent the 26 finalists? She has like 26 songs on top 30 anyways and will be in Sweden next year around ESC time…so why not…
With the music industry in Europe being dominated by American artists more than ever, I’d say let’s keep the Eurovision Song Contest to promote European identity exclusively. It seems rather odd to sell ourselves to other continents, as we are not short on talented artists. I mean, it does not mean Australia cannot watch and enjoy the show, but I want it to be eurocentric, as it’s one (ESC) of the few things left that says utterly European, with the rest of the cases being lost either to Americans or Asians already. Is it politically incorrect now to want to… Read more »
It is 2023, the world is global now. Australia is influenced by Europeans though since a majority hails from Europe. So I do not see the harm. Besides they are more serious about it than both UK and Ireland. I want countries that take ESC seriously and not just send local pub acts. So I would swap either of them for Australia if it means a better contest
Australia is definitely influenced by Europeans as the recent shameful referendum results prove.
Which referendum? Sorry, I’ve been absorbed by other stuff irl I got no clue about what’s going on 🙁
“Indigenous Voice” Referendum, 14th October 2023
A vote to decide if Indigenous peoples should be recognized in the constitution, giving them a voice in law.
YES 6,284, 819
NO 9,451,146?
I would too.
We all know what happened when Madonna entered Eurovision, they will never understand the true meaning of Eurovision.
crazy how last year we got the full list of participants in mid-october and now it doesn’t even seem remotely close to being finalized… maybe (hopefully) the ebu is desperately trying to fetch participants among the unsure countries
The Netherlands anounced their participants on the first of November last year , and for sure they weren’t the last so I don’t think this is right.
What a “fantastic business model” the ebu are promoting.
“Brand” “Format”
What’s the difference?
None, I’m just using some of the magic buzz words that the contest has been reduced to. Sad.
There are more than enough European countries, I wouldn’t miss Australia or Israel, to be honest.
I was already wondering why the final list of participants hasn’t been released yet, since it’s usually already out at this time
Strange that the EBU still seems to be ”in talks” since the Australian participation is overall well received and the overall participating countries have been dwindling over the past couple of years
I have a feeling EBU is keen on Australia continuing but SBS is seeking to negotiate them down for fees.