(S. Guraziu – Ars Poetica, 12 May 2026 – Commentary)
The Eurovision Song Contest, Vienna, 2026… so far, the first night was almost “too epic to be true” : ) But there are 2 more nights full of music, so we’ll see, it could get even better, since “the opposite has its limits too.” Anyway, what’s new this year (2026) is the business side of the Eurovision Song Contest – something unique is the fact that Europe + Asia will go further “United.” The 70-year-old European music festival is now going Global, or at least Euro-Asian. In November, we will have the Eurovision Asia Song Contest 2026 – all of Euro-Asia aims to be United by Music.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has announced that the first Eurovision Asia Song Contest will be held in Bangkok on November 14, 2026. Ten countries have been confirmed so far, with more confirmations expected. So that means Eurovision is expanding into Asia. That’s the news, and it’s big news – but “my first thought” was: why should it be called “Eurovision” in Asia as well? The Eurovision Asia Song Contest… what a joke, Europe does NOT own the word “vision” : )
Let’s say what’s totally close to the mind, what’s crystal clear. Asia is bigger than Europe, in so many “aspects” – Asia is not just a “footnote” at the bottom of Europe’s page. It’s the largest continent on Earth – by area, by population, by cultural diversity. If any region deserves to name its own music festivals, it’s Asia. Yet, the EBU’s plan is to keep the prefix “Euro” while tagging “Asia” at the end like a tail, as if the planet’s largest continent were just a franchise location.
This really is somewhat like that business that makes you chuckle (to laugh) – it’s almost the same as if NASA told all Chinese or Indian space agencies, “Well, very nice… but you have to use ‘NASA’ as a prefix, we were the first to do business with ‘space,’ so we own the brand.” Or almost like when Trumpident builds a wall along the Mexican border, and then China asks that it not be called the “Great Wall of Mexico” because it’s neither grand nor visible from orbit – it’s just a fence – when it comes to walls, greatness belongs to the Chinese : )
And not just Asia, every continent should follow the EBU’s rules – the same logic applies everywhere. As if the continents’ song contests are just like “World’s Got Talent.” If Asia launches a festival under the Eurovision brand, what will Africa do? And the Americas? Must they now ask the EBU for permission to celebrate their music under the name “Eurovision”? Business is business, but of course not – the suffix “vision” does not belong to Europe, it’s universal.
The current Eurovision festival belongs to Europe. That’s perfectly fine, and it’s good. It has 70 years of history, and no one wants to diminish its facts or merits. But the term “vision” is not European property. The EBU does not own the concept of a supposedly televised music festival. And the business model of “united by music” works just as well – even better – when continents use their own names as they please.
Here’s what should have been, or should be – and in our opinion, it’s that simple – Eurovision: for Europe, belongs to Europe. Period. Asiavision: for Asia, handled by Asia, for Asia. Afrovision: for Africa, handled by Africa, for Africa. Panvision (or whatever name suits them best): for the Americas.
No broadcasting union should hold the supposed keys to the word “vision” for the entire planet. Music doesn’t need a trademark of European greed, supposedly to “unite” the people of the planet – “the planet got united for 3 nights in 3000 years, wow…what a miracle”. Music simply needs a worthy stage, ideally outside politics and prejudices. I think this is why the giants of Asia, China, India etc., remain silent – 3 billion people apparently don’t like “euro-prefixes” when it comes to Asia’s pride. And that’s just logical, 100% right.
The good news is bringing Asia into the Eurovision family – by itself, that’s a good thing. Obviously, that too – more music, more countries, more connections. The participating nations – Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam – deserve applause for taking a step forward.
Yet again, the question arises: why are China and India still “silent”? Applause for doing business with 10 countries is not the same as “surrender” – often, silent resistance makes as much noise as music does : ) Asia deserves its own name for international concert events. Europe’s nose has no place on the Asian plate. Africa deserves its own name for musical visions. The Americas deserve their own names, or a name together. Eurovision is Europe’s gift to the world, not a possession of Europe’s mindset over the whole world.
Asia, Africa, etc., have their legitimate right to say “United by Music” – Yes, that stands. But to be masked under “Euro” – probably No, thank you. We’ve had so much “Euro” throughout history that now it just feels like a cliché : )
***
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has announced a major expansion: The Eurovision Asia Song Contest will launch on November 14, 2026, with Bangkok as the host city. The event marks the first time the iconic festival – known for its blend of original pop music, elaborate stage performances, and public voting – will be organized specifically for an Asian audience, while retaining the “Eurovision” name and format.
According to the EBU, the Asian edition will follow the same structure as the original European one: participating countries will hold national selection shows to choose their representative, followed by a grand live final in Bangkok. The event will be produced in partnership with Thailand’s Channel 3 and S2O Productions.
10 countries have been confirmed for the inaugural edition, with more participants expected to be announced in the coming months:
– Bangladesh (NTV)
– Bhutan (Bhutan Broadcasting Service)
– Cambodia (TV5 Cambodia)
– Laos (Vientiane Capital Television / VTE9)
– Malaysia (Media Prima / TV3)
– Nepal (Himalaya TV)
– Philippines (ABS-CBN)
– South Korea (ENA, produced by PK Inc.)
– Thailand (Channel 3) – host country
– Vietnam (Vietnam Television / VTV3)
The EBU, which coordinates the original Eurovision Song Contest, has 113 member organizations in 56 countries, plus 31 associate members in Asia, Australasia, Africa, and the Americas. The Asian edition will be run alongside Voxovation, a production company specializing in live events.
The slogan for the new festival will remain “United by Music” – the same phrase used for the European version – but with the added part “Across Asia.” No further details have been released regarding tickets, broadcast schedules, or the possible participation of other countries such as China, India, Pakistan, or Japan.