Known for its glitzy stage costumes and sometimes outlandish performances, the Eurovision Song Contest is now launching its first-ever Asia edition.
Broadcasters from 10 countries in the region, including South Korea, Bhutan, Thailand, and the Philippines, have confirmed their participation. According to the contest's website, there are 'more to follow.'
Countries will first host their own national selections before the grand final in Bangkok, which will be broadcast live on November 14.
First held in 1956, Eurovision has grown into the world's longest-running international music competition.
'As we mark the 70th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest, it feels especially meaningful to open this next chapter with Asia, a region rich in culture, creativity, and talent,' stated Martin Green, director of the Eurovision Song Contest at the EBU.
As a rule, the songs performed at Eurovision must be original, with lead vocals sung live. Performers are then voted on by music experts and fans.
The competition has supercharged the careers of many famous acts, including Swedish pop group Abba and Canadian singer Celine Dion, who represented Switzerland in 1988.
Around 163 million people tuned in to last year's contest, which featured songs ranging from ebullient bangers to soulful ballads.
However, the contest has also become a site of international political tensions, with some countries boycotting this year's contest over Israel's participation.
Russia has been banned from entering since 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine, prompting Moscow to launch its own international song contest, Intervision.
Multiple attempts to create an Asian version of Eurovision since the 2000s have not been successful until now.
In a statement from EBU, Chuwit Sirivajjakul of the Thailand Tourism Authority expressed that Bangkok is the ideal host city, characterized by its cultural convergence and vibrant music scene.
The Asia edition is organized by the European Broadcasting Union, Voxovation, and Thailand-based S2O Productions.
