The Australian broadcaster SBS have today confirmed that for the first time, it will be up to the public to decide who will represent the nation at Eurovision 2019.
In a collaboration with production partners Blink TV, the broadcaster will hold a public national selection titled Eurovision – Australia Decides. The show will be held at the Gold Coast in Queensland and will take place on the 8th and 9th of February 2019.
At a launch event on the Gold Coast, SBS made a call for songwriters across Australia to submit an original composition via (sbs.com.au/Eurovision). The submission period will conclude on the 4th of November. There are no restrictions on the number of songs an author can submit and the songs can either be published or unpublished, however must not have been released before the 1st of September 2018.
The songs will be shortlisted later this year and be paired with some of Australia’s best artists. From there, it will be up to the public to decide who will represent the nation. The show will be hosted by the Australian commentators Myf Warhurst and Joel Creasey.
Information on tickets will be released soon, however here are the details about the shows:
JURY SHOW – Friday 8 February, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (National Jury Vote)
MATINEE – Saturday 9 February, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre
LIVE SHOW – Saturday 9 February, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (Public Vote; Live and Exclusive TV Broadcast on SBS)
SBS Acting Managing Director James Taylor said,
“SBS has been the Australian home of the Eurovision Song Contest for 35 years and 2019 will mark Australia’s fifth year of competing in the event. As our country’s passion for Eurovision continues to grow, we are inundated by fans wanting to have their say in choosing who represents Australia on the world’s biggest stage.
“This will be the first time that Australians can enjoy a Eurovision show live on home soil and we are delighted to begin this next chapter in Australia’s Eurovision journey with our long-term production partner Blink TV and new partners in Queensland – the Queensland Government via Tourism and Events Queensland and City of Gold Coast.”
Who would you like to see represent Australia at Eurovision 2019? Watch our 2018 performance below!
Looking forward to being part of this process at last!