Eurovision Song Contest 2017

[Flonska]

Is Australia's inclusion in this year's Eurovision contest an integral part of Theresa May's Brexit negotiation strategy?

If Australia wins, will it be invited to take Britian's place as a full member of the EU?

[Mamyalynne]

They've been in the contest before.

[ichkeria]

Unfortunately Australia were allowed in for the 60th anniversary, for one year only, but predictably they've sort of been allowed to stay

[Buenchico]

It would be wonderful to see some of the other associate members of the European Broadcasting Union allowed to participate:
https://www.ebu.ch/about/members?type=associate

[ichkeria]

The trouble is, much as i love the whole ridiculous thing, it's big enough now. Expanding it beyond the borders of the core EBU is not really sensible. Countries like Morocco and Jordan used to take part, in fact I believe the latter were barred after a contretemps over broadcasting the Israeli entry

[Buenchico]

^^^ All 56 countries in this list have the right to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest (as long as they 'pull their weight' elsewhere within the EBU, such as through contributing to joint news-gathering services):
https://www.ebu.ch/about/members?type=active

Associate members, such as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, can only compete by special invitation.

[ichkeria]

Yes exactly. The 'special invitation' should have been for one year only. There's a take up of 43-odd countries now with two semi finals. Given that there will always be a few drop outs, I think that's about right.