SBS to launch Eurovision Radio

The 2016 Eurovision Song Contest will take over Stockholm, Sweden from 11 May with contestants from 43 countries set to compete. 24 hours a day from May 1 to 15, SBS will launch Eurovision Radio on SBS Radio 4 on digital radio, online or via the SBS Radio App.

SBS Radio’s Eurovision Reporter Alistair Birch will be on the ground in Stockholm bringing all the backstage gossip and interviewing Eurovision artists for SBS Radio’s in-language programs. “I only speak three languages myself, so I rely on my colleagues at the SBS language desks back in Melbourne and Sydney to help bring Eurovision to Australia’s diverse communities,” he said.

“My speciality is recording the secret music of the Eurovision. With over forty talented artists gathered together, there is a lot of music performed over and beyond the actual contest entries and we will be bringing you the best of this on SBS Eurovision Radio.”

Unlike last year where Australia was a wild card entry straight to the Grand Final, Australia’s contender, Dami Im, will compete in Semi-Final 2, and must get enough votes to go through to the Grand Final.

Australians will be able to vote in the contest during the early morning LIVE broadcasts and join in the conversation using the hashtag #sbseurovision during the interactive evening prime-time broadcasts on both SBS TV and Radio.