Earlier today, official confirmation from the EBU revealed that a new multi-national competition is coming to the Eurovision family! Later this November the first Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026 will take place in Bangkok, Thailand. Now Nepal has become the first participant to declare it will select its representative on September 19.
Nepal decides on September 19
Local Nepalese media outlet Online Khabar have revealed that its broadcaster Himalayan Television will select its artist for the Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026 on September 19. Earlier today, the EBU confirmed Himalayan Television was announced as one of the ten broadcasters that have already signed up to take part the Asian edition of Europe’s favourite music competition.
So far no details on the method of selection or potential artists interested have been confirmed. However, Executive Director Shyam Kandel publicly revealed that auditions with artists will begin as soon as next week.
Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026
Taking up the hosting honours for the inaugural Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026 is Thailand and its broadcaster Channel 3. The venue of choice is IdeaLive in Bangkok. This entertainment space is Bangkok’s newest venue in BRAVO BKK. It has a capacity of over 4,000 seated guests. So far ten broadcasters have declared interest in participation:
- Thailand – Channel 3 – (Host)
- South Korea – ENA (SK Telecom / KT Group)
- Malaysia – Media Prima (TV3)
- Philippines – ABS-CBN
- Vietnam – Vietnam Television (VTV3)
- Cambodia – TV5 Cambodia
- Laos – Vientiane Capital Television (VTE9)
- Bangladesh – NTV
- Bhutan – Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS)
- Nepal – Himalaya TV
Each entry submitted will follow the example of Eurovision itself. No more than six performers on stage and the song must not be longer than three minutes. Later in November, the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026 will be chosen using Eurovision’s 50% jury and 50% public voting method. The one-off Grand Final will be aired live on the official Eurovision YouTube Channel, with televised broadcasts within the competing nations. International broadcasters may also choose to buy broadcast rights within their programming schedule.
Similarly to the Junior Eurovision Song Contest format, the winning broadcaster is not automatically forced to host the following edition. Instead a bidding process will take place after the 2026 contest concludes to decide who will host the Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2027.
Stay tuned with more announcements on participants expected in the coming weeks and months!
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