There’s already an American Song Contest, and no one has heard about it or cares about it.

I haven’t watched it the last few years because I can’t stomach the idea that a genocidal state is allowed to compete :/ I love Eurovision but the EBU has made all the wrong decisions. They were even going to let Russia compete in 2022 after the invasion of Ukraine, until public outrage forced their hand. They claim the competition is neutral but guess what? Allowing Israel, a country actively committing genocide who isn’t even a part of fucking Europe is a political statement whether you like it or not

Eurovision is huge in Australia. People get up in the middle of the night to watch it. So in 2016, the contest’s 60th anniversary, they allowed Australia to compete for funsies.
Everyone agreed they understand Eurovision perfectly so they were allowed to stay.