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Airdate: Eurovision Song Contest 2018

SBS rethinks its annual Eurovision weekend, now set to screen over a longer chunk of the week.

The Eurovision Song Contest is just around the corner, taking place in Lisbon from May 9 – 13.

Jessica Mauboy represents Australia in the Second Semi Final, with Joel Creasey and Myf Warhurst returning as presenters for SBS.

TV Tonight is again offering a special Eurovision section with news and videos until the big night.

This year SBS will no longer hold primetime shows until the Friday night, with Semi Finals screening on Wednesday, Friday and (Final) on Sunday. Live voting one again only takes place in the Live morning screenings.

There will also be 2 new specials, Eurovision Top 40 Controversies & Destination Flavour Eurovision.

The 63rd Eurovision Song Contest is about to begin in Lisbon, Portugal, as Australia’s most recognisable, multi-platinum all round entertainer Jessica Mauboy takes the stage in front of an estimated 200 million people for the world’s biggest song competition. The contest will be broadcast live and in primetime exclusively on SBS from 9 to 13 May.

In 2014, Jessica made history when she was invited to perform as an interval act at the Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen, Denmark, being the first non-European solo artist to do so. This time, she’s competing for Australia and a shot at Eurovision glory.

Hosting duo Myf Warhurst and Joel Creasey return after their debut as hosts and commentators at the 2017 contest. They will be at the helm of SBS’s Eurovision coverage, on the ground from the Altice Arena in Lisbon, to bring Australians every angle of the contest as they explore the razzmatazz, kitsch, political voting, showbiz, cultural displays and heart of Eurovision – the artists and songs. The Feed’s Jan Fran will bring audiences the colour and culture of Lisbon outside the arena.

With early morning Live broadcasts of Semi Final 1, Semi Final 2 and the Grand Final for immediate results and voting along with Europe, and same day primetime broadcasts for fabulous Euro-themed parties around the country, there are plenty of opportunities to get behind Jessica and join in the fun of picking favourites from the 43 competing nations, each bringing a taste of their own musical culture to the contest.

Some of this year’s standout acts include bookies pick Israel, a Swedish reality TV star, a former Eurovision winner from Norway and a previously banned contestant from Russia.

As well as full coverage of the song contest across TV, radio and online, this year SBS introduces two new programs to round out a week of Eurovision content, kicking off on Saturday 5 May with an encore of Eurovision Top 40 Songs before Semi Final 1 on Wednesday 9 May. Hosted by SBS’s favourite foodie and mega-Eurovision fan Adam Liaw, Destination Flavour Eurovision premieres on Thursday 10 May and is sure to leave audiences salivating for Semi Final 2 featuring Australia’s Jessica Mauboy on Friday 11 May. On Saturday 12 May, Myf Warhurst and Joel Creasey present a brand new hilarious two hour TV special counting down Eurovision’s wildest controversies in Eurovision Top 40 Controversies.

Eurovision Top 40 Songs
Saturday 5 May, 8.30pm on SBS (rpt)
It’s the world’s ultimate song competition and Australia has been watching for 35 years. There are so many musical highlights in the contest’s history, now it’s time to feature our top 40 favourite songs. Myf Warhurst and Joel Creasey present the Top 40 songs from Eurovision’s history.

Eurovision Song Contest on SBS
Semi Final 1 – Wednesday 9 May, Live 5am (AEST) / 7:30pm rpt
Semi Final 2 – Friday 11 May, Live 5am (AEST) Featuring Jessica Mauboy 7:30pm rpt
Grand Final – Sunday 13 May, Live 5am (AEST) / 7:30pm rpt

Myf Warhurst and Joel Creasey will be in the commentary booth to guide viewers through all the acts in the Eurovision Semi Finals and Grand Final, and will also report backstage with exclusive interviews and gossip with contestants and a behind the scenes look at the contest.

Jessica is sure to make waves on the Eurovision stage in Semi Final 2 on Friday 11 May with her emotive, uplifting and powerful anthem We Got Love and must be voted through to compete in the Grand Final.

Australians will be able to vote again this year during the early morning broadcasts and then join in the conversation using the hashtag #Eurovision during the interactive evening primetime broadcasts, with tweets and party pictures on screen.

As per the official Eurovision rules, viewers can vote in the Semi Final in which their country is participating, as well as the Grand Final. The viewers’ votes make up 50% of the final result. The other 50% of the vote is decided by a National Jury in each participating country. Australia’s jury will be announced soon. The jury and Australian public can vote for any country except Australia.

For Australian viewers, this means they will need to tune into the Live broadcast of Semi Final 2 on Friday 11 May at 5am (AEST) and the Grand Final Sunday 13 May, 5am (AEST) and text or call the numbers that appear on screen during these live broadcasts.

Destination Flavour Eurovision
Thursday 10 May, 7.30pm on SBS
If you can’t be at the Eurovision Song Contest in person, Adam Liaw will show you the best of Europe without using his passport – it’s all here in Australia! Our anointed Eurovision Foodie will show how the people of the European diasporas celebrate the Eurovision Song Contest in Australia – the music, the festivities, the favourite performers, and of course the food and drink. Destination Flavour Eurovision is the ultimate how-to guide for hosting your own Eurovision party.

Eurovision Top 40 Controversies
Saturday 12 May, 7.30pm on SBS
Eurovision is the wildest show on earth. Each year it creates more drama and shock than any other singing competition. Join Myf Warhurst and Joel Creasey as they count down the Top 40 outrageous Eurovision Controversies. With International comedians, celebrities and Eurovision dancers, this hilarious two hour special features live performances from singing sensations Isaiah, Casey Donovan and Australia’s 2018 Eurovision artist Jessica Mauboy.

The Eurovision Song Contest, Eurovision Top 40 Controversies, Destination Flavour Eurovision and Eurovision Top 40 Songs are produced by SBS’s Eurovision production partner Blink TV.

ONLINE sbs.com.au/Eurovision
The SBS Eurovision website is the hub for all the latest news from Lisbon, and articles delving into Eurovision culture, politics and the artists.

Check in with Myf Warhurst and Joel Creasey; catch up on all of Jessica’s preparations for the big event, and get all the latest gossip, exclusive videos, pictures and behind-the-scenes video interviews with artists.

The Eurovision website is the number one destination for the complete interactive experience for Australians. Viewers can rate their favourite performance and join the social chatter and post party pics on Twitter and Instagram using #Eurovision and the best shots will end up on screen during SBS’s broadcast!

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