Eurovision Song Contest launches inaugural Asian edition in 2025 with 10 participating nations
Consensus Summary
The Eurovision Song Contest is expanding into Asia with its first-ever regional edition, the Eurovision Song Contest Asia, set to debut in Bangkok on 14 November 2025. Ten countries—South Korea, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan—have confirmed participation, each selecting their entries through national finals. The move follows past attempts to expand the contest, including a 2008 Asian contest proposal that never materialized and the short-lived 2022 American Song Contest, which struggled with low viewership. Organizers emphasize the new contest’s cultural relevance, with EBU director Martin Green highlighting its potential to reflect Asia’s diversity while retaining Eurovision’s core values. The expansion comes amid ongoing controversies in the original contest, including boycotts by five nations over Israel’s participation amid the Gaza war and tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. While the Asian edition aims to foster unity through music, it may face similar geopolitical challenges as the European version.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The inaugural Eurovision Song Contest Asia grand final will take place in Bangkok on Saturday 14 November 2025
- Participating countries include South Korea, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan (10 total)
- Each participating nation will select its entry via national finals leading up to the grand final
- Martin Green CBE, director of Eurovision at the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), stated the expansion aims to 'reflect the voices, identities and ambitions of the region'
- The EBU previously announced an Asian contest in 2008 titled 'Our Sound-The Asia Pacific Song Contest' but the plans were later abandoned
- The 2022 American Song Contest (hosted by Eurovision producers) aired on NBC but was canceled due to low viewership (under 3 million viewers)
- Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain boycotted the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest over Israel’s participation amid the Gaza war
- Thailand Tourism Authority representative Chuwit Sirivajjakul called Bangkok 'a place where cultures come together, where music fills the air, and where celebration is part of everyday life'
- The original Eurovision Song Contest was created in 1956 and is organized by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU)
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Switzerland faced protests and boycotts over Israel’s inclusion amid the Gaza war, with critics accusing Israel of manipulating the public voting system in 2025
- Israel’s president Isaac Herzog stated Israel 'deserves to be represented on every stage around the world'
- The Israeli broadcaster Kan rejected allegations of political interference in the contest
- The 2025 Eurovision Song Contest drew over 100 million viewers annually, making it the world’s largest live music event
- The soundtrack to Netflix film *KPop Demon Hunters* was the second most streamed album on Spotify in 2025
- Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia in July 2025 resulted in 48 deaths and 300,000 displaced people, with further clashes in December 2025
- The 70th anniversary Eurovision event in Vienna (16 May 2025) was boycotted by five nations due to Israel’s participation
- The 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Switzerland saw Austria’s JJ win the competition
- The new Asia edition is promoted as 'United by Music' with a focus on regional identity
- The 2022 American Song Contest was widely considered a flop and not renewed for a second season
- No explicit mention of Australia’s participation in Eurovision Asia 2026, but the headline specifically asks 'Will Australia compete?'
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The Guardian states the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Switzerland was boycotted by five nations (Iceland, Ireland, Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain) while ABC only mentions Ireland, Spain, Netherlands, and Slovenia
- The Guardian reports the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Switzerland was held on 16 May, but ABC does not specify the date of the 2025 contest
- The Guardian mentions the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Switzerland faced allegations of Israel manipulating the public voting system, but ABC does not mention this controversy
- The Guardian states the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest drew over 100 million viewers annually, while ABC does not provide a viewership figure
- The Guardian notes the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Switzerland was marked by protests over Israel’s inclusion, but ABC does not mention protests or boycotts in relation to the 2025 contest
Source Articles
Eurovision expands into Asia with 10-nation song contest
As the original event faces discord and boycotts on its 70th anniversary, Bangkok will host the inaugural spin-off Eurovision is seeking to expand into the Asian market by hosting a version of its song contest in Bangkok this year, just as the original annual event is being buffeted by discord and boycotts on the eve of its 70th anniversary edition. The grand final of the inaugural Eurovision song contest Asia will take place in Thailand’s capital on Saturday 14 November, the Switzerland-based o
Everything you need to know about Asia's new Eurovision song contest
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.
'A region rich in culture': Eurovision to launch inaugural Asia edition
Bangkok in Thailand will host the first Asian edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, with at least 10 countries taking part.
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