SBS has axed Eurovision: Australia Decides, the selection show where people at home voted for their favourite Aussie singer to send to the Eurovision Song Contest.
Kate Miller-Heidke, Sheldon Riley, and Montaigne have all won Eurovision: Australia Decides. Now, the internal process that chose finalists from 2015-2018 will return.
An SBS representative shared with TV Tonight, "We are thrilled to confirm that Australia will once again compete in the 67th Eurovision Song Contest next year, with hosts Myf Warhurst and Joel Creasey at the helm. However, after three years of celebrating and working with local music artists through our Eurovision selection show, Eurovision: Australia Decides, we've made the difficult decision not to go ahead with the program in 2023.
"Over the past few months, we have been exploring ways we could deliver the event to Australian audiences next year; however, a variety of factors contributed to us coming to this decision.
"We are proud to continue to be the home of the Eurovision Song Contest, and we look forward to celebrating 40 years of broadcasting Eurovision to all Australians in the coming year."
It is understood by TV Tonight that recent contract negotiations halted Eurovision: Australia Decides from appearing on SBS Upfronts two weeks ago - the channel's "Biggest ever local content offering," per Mumbrella.
There is currently no word on when the Song Portal for artist submissions will open.
Australian artist Andrew Lambrou will represent Cyprus at Eurovision 2023.
Lambrou competed at Eurovision: Australia Decides 2022 with a performance of his song Electrify, which finished in seventh place.
Upon participating in the contest, Lambrou revealed his love of Eurovision and said, "I'm so thrilled to be a part of Eurovision: Australia Decides 2022! I've grown up watching Eurovision with my family, admiring all that goes into it and seeing artists show their craft to the world, and to be a part of this show is like a dream come true. I'm so excited to show Australia my artistry, and to potentially represent my country in this amazing song contest is the most encouraging thought for me."
