HAMBURG, GERMANY – Following the comments of Christer Björkman (Head of Delegation for Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest / Melodifestivalen (SVT) producer) regarding the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest hosted by Germany in case Austrlia wins both EBU and NDR issued statements.
During Inför Eurovision, a pre Eurovision show on SVT, Mr Björkman said that if Australia wins then the country will co-host the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest with Germany. Fans were mostly upset with the statement as most of us considered that at least the runner up country would have the honour to host the next Eurovision edition.
Dr. Frank-Dieter Freiling, chairman of the ESC Reference Group, Senior Vice President, International Affairs ZDF-German Television said:
When Australia would win the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest, the next contest will take place in Europe, as announced earlier, for practical reasons. In such case, there are numerous potential European broadcasters SBS Australia could partner with, one of them being NDR in Germany, amongst several others. The cooperation with one particular public broadcaster would only be further explored and formalised should Australia win the upcoming contest. To leave no doubt for speculation about the possible host country of the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest in case of an Australian win, we stress that Mr. Björkman’s unfortunate comments are nothing but premature.
EBU also stated earlier that there are many scenarios examined but there is no final decision on who’s gonna host the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest when and if Australia wins the Vienna edition.
SUPPORT AUSTRALIA IN EUROPREDICTION
DID YOU KNOW?
- Australia is invited to participate in a one-off participation to the contest as a gratitude to the loyalty to the contest
- Australia will compete directly to the final for semifinalists not to miss a chance to qualify
- Australia will vote in both semifinals and the final
- In case Australia wins, the country can participate, though, in 2016 Eurovision if they want
- In case Australia wins, 2016 Eurovision edition will take place in a European country (no decision made) and the production will be made in collaboration with SBS
