All 50 US states could battle it out in American Eurovision Song Contest, exec reveals
The boss of the Eurovision Song Contest has confirmed early plans for a spin-off contest that could be coming to the United States.
The annual Eurovision Song Contest features musicians representing different countries battling it out in a Europe-wide TV show.
The long-running show, often known as the ‘Gay World Cup’ has a massive LGBT audience of dedicated fans due to its notoriously camp nature.
But the show’s bosses are now hoping to spread their wings across the globe.
Following on from Eurovision’s debut in the United States on gay TV channel Logo, execs have hinted that a fully-fledged US spinoff is in the works.
(Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)
Eurovision Executive Supervisor Jon Ola Sand, who runs the annual contest, said: “When it comes to the US we also have a deal there with the broadcaster Viacom to broadcast Eurovision in the US.
“We also want to see if it’s possible to create an American version of the Eurovision Song Contest, although we haven’t concluded that yet.
“This is a long term strategy for sure to see how far outside of Europe the brand can reach.”
He also opened up about the recently-announced plans for a ‘Eurovision Asia’, which may see a raft of new countries compete in a separate spin-off contest.
Mr Ola Sand said: “We have already launched an initiative in Asia, and this is done in conjunction with our Australian partner, SBS, who participates in the ESC.
“We are working with them to stage a similar concept to Eurovision in Asia, essentially to have a Eurovision Asia.”
He hinted that Eurovision was building bridges in “several markets in that region”, including New Zealand and China.
It was recently confirmed that a spin-off Asian contest is in development, which could potentially draw in a whole new region, from India to South Korea, Japan and China.
A statement says: “The Greatest Song Contest on Earth is coming to Asia!
“With its brilliant pop stars, its glamorous fashion, and a huge passion for pop music, Asia and Eurovision are made for each other.
“We are taking the biggest live televised music show – Eurovision – to the biggest music audience in the world. Countries from the Asia-Pacific region will be able to compete in their own version of the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time.
“Each country will showcase their songwriting and performing talent to Asia and the world and compete to be crowned the winner of the first ever Eurovision Asia Song Contest.”
No confirmed participants or launch dates have yet been confirmed for either project.
However, the host city and dates for next year’s Eurovision Song Contest have been announced.
