The Eurovision Song Contest will launch its first-ever Asia edition this year, with Bangkok set to become the first host city for the 10-country competition.

South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam are confirmed alongside Malaysia, Cambodia and Laos, as well as Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, with organisers promoting more countries to join as the competition expands.

The countries will choose their representatives in national finals in the lead-up to the grand final in Bangkok scheduled for November 14.

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Created in 1956, Eurovision is an annual international song competition where mainly European member countries submit original songs to be performed live on televised broadcast.

Director of the Eurovision Song Contest Martin Green said: “This is about evolving the show together with Asia, building something that reflects the voices, identities and ambitions of the region, while staying true to what has always made the Contest special.

“Eurovision Song Contest Asia will be shaped by the artists, broadcasters and audiences who make it their own, continuing our shared journey of being United by Music.”

For Thailand Tourism Authority’s Chuwit Sirivajjakul Bangkok was the obvious choice.

“I thought, of course, it should be Bangkok, because this city has always been a place where cultures come together, where music fills the air, and where celebration is part of everyday life,” he said

The new Asia edition announcement comes after Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and Slovenia announced in December they would boycott 2026 Eurovision Song Contest after Israel was allowed to continue competing.

Israel’s contentious participation in Eurovision traces back to the 70s

Eurovision strives to put pop before politics, but it has repeatedly become embroiled in world events, particularly relating to Israel.

Several countries had called for Israel to be excluded because of the war in Gaza.

It is not the first time Eurovision has tried to branch outside Europe, in 2022 the American Song Contest aired on NBC and was widely considered a flop and was not renewed for a second season.

In 2008, the European Broadcasting Union responsible for Eurovision announced plans to expand into an Asian version called “Our Sound-The Asia Pacific Song Contest” however it never eventuated.

with wires