Eurovision is heading to Asia: here’s what to expect

Bhutan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.

All 11 acts have been chosen, including some who are already big names at home, including Vietnam’s Tóc Tiên and Malaysia’s Aina Abdul.

Negotiations with China and Japan ran past the production deadline, according to the show’s executive producer, Assaf Blecher, who says he is “very, very optimistic” both will take part next year.

Will the format be the same as the European Eurovision?

The format essentially follows the European original. Each country sends one act, performing live, for a maximum of three minutes and with up to six performers on stage. Blecher says the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which owns Eurovision, approves every song and lyric, and that political songs are barred in the same way as in Europe.