Myf Warhurst, Joel Creasey back for SBS as Australia confirmed for Eurovision 2018!
Broadcaster Myf Warhurst and comedian Joel Creasey will return for a second year as SBS commentators as Australia has been confirmed for Eurovision 2018 in Lisbon in May.
It marks the fourth year that Australia will compete although Australian-born or Australian-based performers and songwriters have had success representing other countries.
Official entrants have equipped themselves well against those from 41 countries.
Guy Sebastian (2015) reached #5, in Vienna, Dami Im (2016) came second in Stockholm, and Isaiah Firebrace (2017) finished at #9 in Kyiv, Ukraine. All were Sony Music Entertainment acts.
SBS Managing Director Michael Ebeid said: “SBS is proud to secure Australia’s return as competitors in the Eurovision Song Contest for the fourth year, as the country’s unique affection and passion for Eurovision continues to grow.
“In Guy, Dami and Isaiah, SBS has showcased the incredible talent of Australia’s musical performers on the world stage, and in turn, the wonderful diversity that makes up Australia today.”
SBS has long been telecasting Eurovision since 1983, to strong ratings, with die-hards throwing Eurovision-themed parties and watching the live broadcast despite the time difference.
This year over 3 million metro and regional viewers tuned in for the two semi-finals and grand final, according to OzTam and RegTAM.
Globally the event pulled a total of 182 million, according to organiser the European Broadcasting Union.
The event at Lisbon’s MEO Arena is the first time that Portugal has been the host country, after Salvador Sobral’s win in Ukraine with Amar pelos dois.
Australian Head of Delegation and Director of Blink TV Paul Clarke, said: “It’s wonderful that we’re back! In the three years that we have competed in Eurovision we have achieved huge success, ranking second in the results overall behind Sweden.
“It’s an exciting challenge for us to find a competitor who can fly the flag high for Australia, and we can’t wait to begin that search.”
SBS & Blink TV are currently putting together the Asia-Pacific version of the song contest.
As reported in TMN, the original plan was for the inaugural episode to be held in Sydney.
But it now seems it is competing with two Asian cities.
Australians have been featured at Eurovision since 1972.
That year Peter Doyle and Marty Kristian were part of the New Seekers who represented the UK. The entry song Beg, Steal or Borrow was written by London-based Australian Tony Cole and finished second in Edinburgh.
Olivia Newton-John, who moved to Melbourne in 1954 from Cambridge aged six, came 4thfor the UK in Brighton.
Melbourne-born John Farrar who had hits with The Strangers, moved to London in 1970. He was part of The Shadows when they represented the UK in 1975.
UK-born Martin Lee spent five years in Australia before returning to the UK to put together the band Brotherhood of Man. Their song Save Your Kisses For Me won in 1976.
Other “made in Australia” talents with wins for other countries were Johnny Logan (Ireland), Gina G (the UK), Jane Comerford as part of Texas Lightning (Germany), and Mary-Jean O’Doherty as part of Genealogy (Armenia).
This year, Anja Nissen born in NSW’s Blue Mountains to Danish parents and won the third season of The Voice Australia, represented Denmark and came 20th.
She co-wrote her entry song, Where I Am with X-Factor Australia finalist Angel Tupai and producer Michael D’Arcy.
Local writers whose songs were featured in Eurovision were Craig Porteils and Cameron Giles-Webb’s This Is Our Night (for Greece, in 2009) Katrina Noorbergen’s A Million Voices (Russia, 2015) and Tonino Speciale’s co-written Black Smoke which was performed by German singer Ann Sophie in 2015 and got zero points.
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