Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016

Eurovision Song Contest 2016
Country  Australia
Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest
◄2015 • 2016

Australia will participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Stockholm, Sweden. Their participation was announced on 17 November 2015,[1] after competing in the 2015 contest to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Eurovision.[2]

Background

Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) has broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest for over 30 years, and the contest has gained a cult following over that time, primarily due the country's strong political and cultural ties with Europe. Paying tribute to this, the 2014 contest semi-finals included an interval act featuring Australian singer Jessica Mauboy.[3]

In 2015, to fit the theme of "Building Bridges" and to celebrate the 60th edition of Eurovision, Australia was invited to compete as a one-off special guest participant. Along with the "Big 5" (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom), and the host country of Austria, Australia was given automatic entry into the final to "not reduce the chances" of the semi-final participants.[4] Australia came in 5th place with 196 points, and was awarded the maximum 'douze points' by Austria and Sweden.[5]

At Eurovision

According to Eurovision rules, all nations with the exceptions of the host country and the "Big 5" (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) are required to qualify from one of two semi-finals in order to compete for the final; the top ten countries from each semi-final progress to the final. Unlike the previous year, in 2016 Australia will not automatically qualify for the final, and will be required to qualify from one of two semi-finals.[2] The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) split up the competing countries into six different pots based on voting patterns from previous contests, with countries with favourable voting histories put into the same pot.[6]On 25 January 2016, a special allocation draw was held which placed each country into one of the two semi-finals, as well as which half of the show they would perform in. Australia was placed into the second semi-final, to be held on 12 May 2016, and was scheduled to perform in the first half of the show.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Jordan, Paul (17 November 2015). "Australia to return to the Eurovision Song Contest!". Eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  2. 1 2 Kemp, Stuart; Plunkett, John (11 February 2015). "Eurovision Song Contest invites Australia to join 'world's biggest party'". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  3. ↑ Vincent, Peter (9 May 2014). "Jessica Mauboy performs at Eurovision Song Contest". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  4. ↑ Siim, Jarmo (10 February 2015). "Australia to compete in the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest". Eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  5. ↑ "Eurovision Song Contest 2015 Grand Final". Eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  6. ↑ Jordan, Paul (21 January 2016). "Semi-Final Allocation Draw on Monday, pots revealed". eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  7. ↑ Jordan, Paul (25 January 2016). "Allocation Draw: The results!". eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
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