News Digest

From Austria to Australia, Eurovision casts net wide for 60th year

A slice of Swedish electro-pop, Italian ‘popera’ and a pop star from Australia, about as far from Europe as you can get, are among the favorites for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. The annual kitsch-fest, watched by more than 195 million people in 40 countries - more viewers than the Superbowl - was won last year by Austria’s bearded drag queen Conchita Wurst, bringing the show to the Austrian capital better known for its classic elegance.

We’ve created the basic budget, the breakeven budget, so that it’s possible for every country to host the event.

EBU head of media Jean Philip de Tender

While viewers are often puzzled by the inclusion of countries outside Europe - such as Israel, which qualifies thanks to membership of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) - this year the net has been cast even wider. To mark 60 years since the first Eurovision in 1955, Australia has been given a wild card entry and singer Guy Sebastian (pictured) and his up-tempo song “Tonight Again” is one of the favourites. Australia faces tough competition from Italy and Sweden, which is among the most successful countries with five wins, including ABBA with “Waterloo” in 1974 and the most recent in 2012 with “Euphoria” by Loreen. Sweden is represented this time by 28-year-old Mans Zelmerlow, whose electro song “Heroes” has accompanying on-stage animation, whilst Italy’s pop opera trio Il Volo are hoping to emulate the 1958 winner “Nel blu dipinto di blu”, better known as “Volare”.