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| ABU TV Song Festival | |
|---|---|
| Name | ABU TV Song Festival |
| Genre | Music festival |
| Creator | Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union |
| Country | Asia-Pacific |
| First aired | 2012 |
| Last aired | ongoing |
ABU TV Song Festival The ABU TV Song Festival is an annual televised gala showcasing contemporary and traditional performers from the Asia-Pacific region. Organized by the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union and produced with participating national broadcasters, the festival brings together artists, delegations, and media from across Asia, Oceania, and parts of Africa and Europe for a non-competitive showcase. The event runs alongside the ABU’s industry meetings and draws connections with other regional festivals and broadcasters such as NHK, TV Asahi, KBS, SBS, and RTÉ.
The festival was conceived by the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union to parallel events like the Eurovision Song Contest while aligning with forums such as the ABU General Assembly and the ABU Radio Song Festival. Delegations from broadcasters including NHK World, China Central Television, Doordarshan, Television New Zealand, ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), MBC (Mauritian Broadcasting Corporation), KBS (Korean Broadcasting System), SBS (Seoul Broadcasting System), TVB, GMA Network, ABS-CBN, PTV, RTM (Radio Televisyen Malaysia), TVRI, and RTHK have participated. The festival showcases cultural exchange among locales such as Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, New Delhi, Dhaka, Colombo, Male, and Suva.
Plans for a televised ABU music gala were discussed at meetings involving representatives from organizations like the European Broadcasting Union, Asia-Pacific Regional Craft Community, UNESCO, and national public service broadcasters after the success of regional showcases. The first edition took place during the ABU General Assembly with artists from countries including Japan, South Korea, China, India, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Subsequent editions were hosted in cities such as Seoul, Istanbul, Istanbul-adjacent venues connected to the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union sessions, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, and Tokyo. Over time, cooperation with organizations like Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and cultural festivals such as the Bali Arts Festival influenced programming and guest lists. The festival adapted to challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic leading to hybrid formats that engaged partners including Youku, Bilibili, ViuTV, Twitch, and satellite platforms run by Eutelsat and AsiaSat.
Entries are presented as non-competitive performances with each participating member broadcaster selecting an artist, ensemble, or act. Selection methods have included national finals by broadcasters such as KBS, internal selections by NHK, and talent showcases organized by GMA Network, ABS-CBN, SBS, and CCTV. Performances typically run three to five minutes and can include soloists, groups, folk ensembles, and orchestras like the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra or folk troupes connected to institutions such as the Sangeet Natak Akademi and National Centre for the Performing Arts (India). Technical standards reference practices from entities like ARIB, SMPTE, ITU, and routing via facilities such as Broadcast Centre Brussels for exchange protocols. Rights management has engaged rights bodies like PRS for Music, APRA AMCOS, JASRAC, and ICAS.
Participants have ranged from established stars to emerging acts representing nations and territories including Japan, South Korea, China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, Philippines, East Timor, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Nauru, Palau, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, Iran, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, and Oman. Notable performances included appearances by well-known artists associated with labels and agencies such as Avex Group, SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, YG Entertainment, Sony Music Entertainment Japan, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and regional independents. Collaborations and guest spots have featured musicians connected to ensembles like the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, and artists with awards from Grammy Awards, ARIA Awards, Mnet Asian Music Awards, and Golden Melody Awards.
Production responsibilities rotate among member broadcasters and host organizations including NHK, KBS, CCTV, RTM, TVRI, TVNZ, and SBS. Technical staff and creative directors often draw experience from events like the Olympic Games opening ceremony broadcasts, Asian Games opening ceremony productions, and large-scale concerts managed by companies such as F45, SMTOWN, and Live Nation. Distribution uses satellite carriers like AsiaSat, Intelsat, and Eutelsat plus internet streaming platforms run by YouTube, Vimeo, Tencent Video, and regional services such as iflix. Staging has employed firms with credits on productions for Expo 2010 Shanghai, World Expo 2020, and major venues including Tokyo Dome, Seoul World Cup Stadium, Beijing National Stadium, and Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
The festival has been praised by cultural institutions including UNESCO and regional arts councils for promoting intercultural exchange alongside criticism from some media analysts comparing it with competitive festivals like the Eurovision Song Contest. Academic studies by scholars at institutions such as University of Tokyo, National University of Singapore, Australian National University, Peking University, University of Hong Kong, and Jawaharlal Nehru University have examined its role in soft power, cultural diplomacy, and media convergence. The festival has contributed to touring exposure for artists who later signed deals with international labels like Sony Music, Universal Music, and regional distributors, and has fostered collaborations across broadcasters including joint productions with BBC World Service, Deutsche Welle, France Médias Monde, and Al Jazeera English.
Category:Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union events Category:Music festivals in Asia