Pacific Song Contest

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The Pacific Song Contest was an international song contest modelled on the Eurovision Song Contest, held from 1978 to 1980. Similar to the Eurovision Song Contest Asia, it invited broadcasters from countries around the Pacific Rim to participate, with the aim of bringing those countries closer together.

It was organised by Television One, New Zealand's primary television broadcaster, to be an annual entertainment event hosted by up to twelve countries around the Pacific Rim, including Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, the Philippines and the United States. Due to the time differences, the contest was not broadcast simultaneously in all countries, but instead recorded and broadcast at a later date in more distant countries.

The voting process was similar to that of the more famous Eurovision Song Contest. Juries from each country gave 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1 point(s) to the songs ranked 1st through 6th, and could not give points to their own country's entry.

Through the contest's existence, nine countries would participate at least once. Each contest lasted an hour.

1978

The first contest was organised by South Pacific Television and Radio New Zealand with a budget of NZD100,000. It was held in the Christchurch Town Hall on October 5, 1978 and hosted by Peter Sinclair. Seven countries competed, after the Philippines withdrew due to not satisfying the entry requirements.

The interval act was Ray Woolf and the New Zealand Ballet performing Hit Record.

1979

As in 1978, the contest was held in the Christchurch Town Hall, on October 18, 1979, and hosted by John Hayden. Seven countries competed again, with the Philippines debuting and the United States withdrawing due to lacking an interested broadcaster.

1980

The contest moved to the Canadian capital of Ottawa, held in the National Arts Centre on September 27, 1980, and hosted by Gloria Kaye and Arlene Duncan, Canada's previous representatives. Eight countries competed, with Mexico debuting and the United States returning.

End

A fourth edition was never held, although Australia had the option to host it.

References