Eurovision 2016: Australia confirmed to take part for second year after Guy Sebastian success
Guy Sebastian placed fifth in last year's show, with organisers hoping to make the contest a 'truly global event'
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Your support makes all the difference.Australia will be competing in the glitter and cheesefest that is the Eurovision Song Contest for a second time in 2016, organisers have confirmed.
Despite being a Europe-wide competition (the clue is in the name), the country’s inclusion of singer Guy Sebastian in its ‘Building Bridges’ theme last year was deemed successful enough for the invitation to be extended again, said programmer Marshall Hill.
Australia was guaranteed a spot in the final for its debut and ended up placing fifth, but will have to battle it out in the semi-finals next time. The Australian public will be allowed to vote in both the semi-finals and the grand final.
Should Australia win, the 2017 contest will still take place in Europe, despite tradition stating that the victor’s country hosts the following year. Australian network SBS would co-host with a European public broadcaster.
Bosses hope that including Australia will transform Eurovision into a “truly global event”. “The feedback we got from viewers, fans, press and the broadcasters after Australia’s participation in Vienna was overwhelmingly positive,” said Jon Ola Sand, executive supervisor.
“We strongly believe the Eurovision Song Contest has the potential to evolve organically into a truly global event. Australia’s continued participation is an exciting step in that direction. It remains to be seen what such an event may look like in the long run.”
It has yet to be decided whether the nation will participate permanently from now on, but Eurovision does have a loyal fanbase down under. The name of its 2016 entry will be revealed early next year.
Eurovision 2016 will be held in Stockholm on 10, 12 and 14 May after Swedish singer Mans Zelmerlow won in Vienna with “Heroes” last year. Plenty of time to stock up on Bucks Fizz and Conchita Wurst wigs.
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