When Australia debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest earlier this year, history was made in Vienna!
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Australian broadcaster SBS, who were initially envisioned as a one-off to celebrate the event's 60th anniversary and Australia's long tradition of broadcasting the show, are pleased to announce that Australia will participate again in 2016.
But while Australia has been once again invited to perform, they will not be automatically given entry to the finals this time around. Unlike the host country Sweden and the "big five" France, Germany, Spain, Italy and United Kingdom who all have automatic entry in to the final, Australia will have to qualify in the semi-finals.
Jon Ola Sand, the Executive Supervisor of the contest stated: “The feedback we got from viewers, fans, press and the broadcasters after Australia’s participation in Vienna was overwhelmingly positive.”
"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 directio. It remains to be seen what such an event may look like in the long run." Sand stated.
However, Australia's spot in the contest is still not be secure since in the official press release there was no decision made regarding Australia’s inclusion in Eurovision after 2016.
May 10, 12 and 14, 2016 are the dates they have set for the 61st edition of Eurovision Song Contest in 2016, with the contest consisting of two semi-finals and a final. It will be in Stockholm’s Globe Arena, following the country's victory at the 2015 edition with Måns Zelmerlöw "Heroes".
The event will be co-hosted by Swedish public broadcaster SVT and the EBU. 41 countries are expected to take part in it.
There are already forty-one countries who have confirmed their provisional participation in the contest since November 17, 2015.
