• First the TV Week Logies, now SBS and Tourism Events Queensland launch Eurovision selection show on the Gold Coast
Despite a disappointing result earlier this year, SBS has confirmed Australia’s participation as a competitor at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest.
For Eurovision 2019 SBS and production partners Blink TV will host a national contest, Eurovision – Australia Decides, to select the artist and song to represent the country on the world’s biggest stage.
SBS acting managing director James Taylor, the Premier of Queensland Annastacia Palaszczuk, Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones, Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate and Australia’s Head of Delegation Paul Clarke have announced that Eurovision – Australia Decides will be hosted on the Gold Coast on Friday 8 and Saturday February 9 and the Live Show will be broadcast exclusively on SBS on Saturday February 9 when voting will be open to the public.
At a launch event on the Gold Coast, SBS called on songwriters across Australia to submit an original composition as part of the selection process via sbs.com.au/eurovision. The song portal is now open for submissions until Sunday November 4.
There are no restrictions on the number of songs composers and songwriters, both published and unpublished, can submit. Songs will be shortlisted later in the year and paired with some of Australia’s most recognised artists.
Then it’s up to the Australian public and a jury to decide Australia’s act to take the stage at the 64th Eurovision Song Contest to compete for Eurovision glory.
Hosted by Myf Warhurst and Joel Creasey, Eurovision – Australia Decides will showcase the best of Australian music and bring the nation closer to the Eurovision action.
Australian Head of Delegation and director of Blink TV Paul Clarke said:
“This will be the first time our huge fan base will be able to see a live Eurovision show in an Australian venue – the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre – as well as live on SBS. We have great plans to make the Gold Coast Eurovision Central in February 2019, so with spandex and sequins at the ready, it will be an awesome show!”
Myf Warhurst said: “In 1994, a band now known as Silverchair won a competition run by SBS’s Nomad program, with support from triple j, with their hit song Tomorrow – now an Aussie classic. Can we back it up with another worldwide smash hit?
“Eurovision – Australia Decides is a great opportunity for songwriters, both published and unpublished, to show us what they’ve got and for a suite of Australian artists to bring these songs to life on stage in February.”
Joel Creasey said: “I can’t wait to be part of the first ever Eurovision selection show in the Southern Hemisphere and find the next Aussie classic, up there with the likes of Farnsy’s You’re the Voice, Braithwaite’s The Horses or my personal favourite, the seminal debut single from Bardot, Poison.
“It’s over to you Australia – let’s give Europe our best!”
The Eurovision Song Contest will be broadcast exclusively on SBS in May 2019, and will be hosted again by Myf Warhurst and Joel Creasey.
To submit a song or for more information on Eurovision – Australia Decides: sbs.com.au/eurovision