The Asia edition comes as Eurovision marks its 70th birthday under a cloud, with 2026 viewing figures down following a boycott by five countries over Israel's participation. (EPA Images pic)BANGKOK: Boasting K-pop and Bangladeshi beatboxing, Eurovision stages its first Asia edition this Saturday, bringing the European song contest's unique brand of kitsch and geopolitics to the world's most populous region.
From Laos to Mongolia and the Philippines, 11 countries are competing in the inaugural Eurovision Song Contest Asia in Bangkok on Nov 14.
It will be broadcast live on television in participating countries and on YouTube -- but a question remains over whether anyone will be watching.
Eurovision is the world's biggest televised live music event, drawing 131 million viewers in 2026, and over the past 70 years has launched the careers of artists such as ABBA and Celine Dion.
