Eurovision goes to Asia
Wed, September 24 2008
Japan, China and India will be among the 15 Asian countries sending their kitsch-clad crooners to compete for glory, said the Geneva-based European Broadcasting Union.
“Having brought the European version of the Eurovision Song Contest to the Middle East and North Africa, we are now delighted that viewers across Asia will enjoy one of the best established entertainment shows in the world,” said Eurovision TV’s Bettina Brinkmann.
Asia’s version will start in 2009, and involve competitors from Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
“The format is highly suited to the Asia region and its people who love popular music and have a strong national pride,” said Andreas Gerlach, CEO of Asiavision Pte Ltd, the company which will produce and market the program.
“Asia today is all about competition, economically and politically. The Song Contest is a friendly competition between cultures,” he added.
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