EBU has allowed the participation of Australia in the Grand Final of this year Eurovision. As Eurovision celebrates its 60th anniversary EBU and the broadcaster from Austria ORF invited them to compete this year, making a total of 40 countries taking part this year. Australia will be allowed to vote in both Semi Finals as well as the Final. The votes will consist of a professional Jury, and possibly 50% televote (although they are still studying if that will be possible considering the time zone). More Information: http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=australia_to_participate_in_the_2015_eurovision_song_contest
HFC CTP but this is a bad idea in general. They could have at least put them in the smaller semi, so both semis were equally balanced. Speaking of which, why can they vote in both? And those who complain about Israel's geographical position will have a field day with this. As will sok.
What an absolutely ridiculous idea. It's fine enough to have it broadcasted in Australia and have their own voting /after/ the contest but being a part of it just seems.. stupid. It's worse enough we had to endure 5 minutes of Jessica Mauboy arsing about on stage and singing terrible last year. I just really don't like this idea and it'll just change the feeling of Eurovision this year. Watch them give Australia the opening spot or the final song to be performed and give them their own cheer squad and introduction by the presenters.
Well, that's ridiculous. I can understand the complaints about Israel, but they are an active EBU member, Australia aren't. If they win, they can host it in a European city, and participate again, but the participation is intented as one-off (according to Eurovision.tv) HFC Chris on being able to vote though.
Yeah blabla intended as a one off, but I swear if Australia does well, has high viewing figures, a lot of televotes and an entry that flies through the charts of Europe, they're back next year no matter what. It's the beginning of something I'm no fan off. The fact they say that the future may bring surprises seriously opens doors for the likes of Qatar who've been wanting to enter for ages. I'm not a fan. Won't be. That said: Credit where credit is due. If Australia comes up with the best song, they have the best song and should win. Sadly.
This is RIDICULOUS and I LOVE IT.* *I do find Australia going straight to the final to be a very odd decision, however.
Sia's Elastic Heart is possible if they make it 3 minutes long, it was released in the beginning of 2015, well after 1 September 2014 the rules say.
I really like that song; but it was released as part of the Hunger Games' Catching Fire soundtrack in like 2013 I think.
DO keep in mind that the contest gets better viewing figures in than in or , whilst the country also has a much healthier relationship with Eurovision than or . Indeed, I personally feel that certain countries' continued participation in spite of their brazen attempts to manipulate the results to the detriment of others should raise many more eyebrows than this.
My only concern is if Australia win, there could be a slippery slope and more and more countries try to enter which really don't belong (I mean think about the US for example!). I'd rather Australia was a full EBU member though... They better send someone bloody good (i.e. someone famous) now that they are in. I do hope they don't win so it is indeed a one off. And if the results are really close and Australia fuck it up, I don't think many people will be amused
How can you be so sure? Yes, it's against the rules for a song to have been released prior to a certain date, but then again, it is also supposedly against the rules for a non-European country* to participate in the first place. * You know what I mean. Don't start about Israel.
If they make another exception like that for Australia just to be able to send an old song that'd be annoying and ridiculous but knowing the bloody EBU, they'd do it