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EBU bans Eurovision broadcast in China

Censoring in China is out of step with Eurovision diversity and prompts an immediate broadcast ban.

The European Broadcasting Union has banned the broadcast of Eurovision‘s Second Semi Final and Grand Final on Mango TV in China after it censored two acts in the First Semi Final.

Mango TV deleted broadcasts of Ireland’s performance because it included two male dancers portraying a gay couple. It also blocked Albania’s performance because of the visible tattoos on singer Eugent Bushpepa.

EBU said in a statement, “On the 9th of May, Chinese broadcaster Mango TV broadcast the first Semi-Final of the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest live but two performances were censored. This is not in line with the EBU’s values of universality and inclusivity and our proud tradition of celebrating diversity through music. It is with regret that we will therefore immediately be terminating our partnership with the broadcaster and they will not be permitted to broadcast the second Semi-Final or the Grand Final.”

The ban could be highly detrimental to regional plans for Eurovision Asia which host broadcaster SBS was due to stage in 2017, as the EBU seeks to spread its brand to other territories.

Well-connected sources tell TV Tonight that Chinese participation in a regional event is crucial in bringing other nations to the table.

SBS is still to confirm if the event will take place this year.

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