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Australia: SBS plan their biggest ever Eurovision coverage

12 May 2012 at 16:01 CEST

Since 2009, Australian broadcaster SBS has been sending a team to cover the Eurovision Song Contest, the commentators being the popular charismatic duo of Sam Pang, a presenter, writer, broadcaster and producer, and Julia Zemiro who has a background in TV, theatre and film. The coverage is directed by Paul Clarke.

SBS is a public broadcasting radio and television network, the purpose of which is to provide multilingual and multicultural radio and television services that inform, entertain and educate all Australians, reflecting Australia's multicultural society.

Road to Eurovision with Julia Zemiro

SBS came up with the innovative idea of sending Julia on a road trip in a camper van (which the team have nicknamed Karl!) from the 2011 host city of Düsseldorf, through to the 2012 host city of Baku, meeting Eurovision legends past and present along the way.



Julia is currently still on the road and will ultimately travel through eight countries, interviewing and meeting people from Europe's Favourite TV Show including the very first winner Lys Assia, and admitted "I am tired but exhilarated!!". The road trip covers:-

  • Germany - Düsseldorf, Cologne, Hamburg, Siegburg
  • Switzerland - Lugano
  • Italy - Milan
  • Bosnia & Herzegovina - Sarajevo
  • Serbia - Belgrade
  • Greece - Athens
  • Turkey - Istanbul
  • Azerbaijan - Baku

Interested viewers in Australia can see the two shows on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th May at 7.30PM Australian time on SBS One, and find out which stars she meets along the way.

For a sneak preview of the trip, see Julia explaining the route in the video below.

More exciting coverage planned for Baku

Julia's co-commentator Sam Pang will arrive in Baku next week, and the coverage from behind the scenes will then begin. 

There will be insider blogs from Baku, interviews with the artists, an in depth guide to what's hot and what's not. Julia & Sam are pictured below with the 2012 logo.



SBS also has an official website dedicated to the Eurovision Song Contest coverage, and also a Facebook and Twitter page, where you can find all of the information needed. There are updated videos, a pop up SBS digital radio station, and even tips on how to throw the ultimate Eurovision party.

There will also be the annual Australian unofficial televote where the nation will decide who they think should win Europe's Favourite TV Show in Baku.

Stay tuned to Eurovision.tv for more details about the Australian coverage in Baku in the coming weeks, where we will also talk to some Australian fans who have travelled thousands of miles just to be in Baku!.