The Eurovision Song Contest is making its way to another region of the world and progressing towards holding the first Latin American Eurovision, with Chile as the expected first host of the competition.
The Eurovision Song Contest has been a staple of European entertainment for decades, including participants from Africa, Asia, and even Australia. In recent years, the contest has been expanding its reach through regional competitions such as Eurovision America, held in 2022, and the planned Eurovision Canada. Now, Eurovision is taking another significant step by venturing into Latin America.
Latin American Eurovision – Known Details
The idea for a Latin American Eurovision was first conceived in 2022. The South American version of the competition will be produced by a team of experienced professionals, including Christer Björkman, Anders Lenhoff, Ola Melzig, Peter Settman, and Greg Lipstone. This team was also responsible for the American version of the contest and is expected to produce the Canadian version when it comes to fruition.
Chile as a Potential Host
Recently, Chile’s Minister of Culture and Arts engaged in discussions with Voxovation, the organization responsible for expanding the Eurovision brand. The talks centered around the possibility of Chile hosting the first Latin American Eurovision. The discussions touched on various aspects, including the potential support required from the Ministry of Culture and Arts, the promotion of Chilean culture and local artists through the contest, and how it could boost tourism in the country.
Martin Österdahl, the Eurovision Executive Supervisor, expressed excitement about bringing the Eurovision magic to Latin America: “Following on from the launch of the American Song Contest, and with plans underway for Eurovision Song Contest Canada, the European Broadcasting Union is thrilled to be now working with Voxovation on bringing the excitement and magic of the Eurovision Song Contest to Latin America. The unique Eurovision format finds new fans across the globe every year and we can’t wait to expand the brand in this hugely diverse part of the world.”
Lessons from Eurovision America
The American version of Eurovision, launched in 2022, saw representatives from all 50 states, Washington D.C., and five U.S. territories competing. AleXa, representing Oklahoma, won with the song “Wonderland”. However, the competition failed to captivate American or global audiences as expected and has not been renewed since.
The challenge for Eurovision Latin America will be to capture the diversity that makes the original Eurovision so unique. While the American version struggled with this aspect, it remains to be seen how the Latin American edition will fare.
As Eurovision continues to expand its global footprint, the Latin American version presents an exciting opportunity to showcase the rich musical heritage of the region. While challenges remain, the potential for a vibrant and engaging competition is certainly there. Only time will tell if Eurovision Latin America can capture the magic that has made its European counterpart a beloved institution for over six decades.
Source: Plataforma Ley del Lobby
Eurovision 2025: The 69th Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Basel, Switzerland, on May 13, 15, and 17, 2025. The St. Jakobshalle arena, which will host the competition, is expected to accommodate about 12,000 spectators for each show. The contest will take place in Switzerland following the country’s third historical win with the song “The Code”, performed by singer Nemo. This will be the third time the competition has been hosted in Switzerland, after the contest was held there in 1956 and 1989.
