Countries: Azerbaijan, an ABU member country.

Azerbaijan is a country located in the south Caucasus. This country is populated by nearly 9 million inhabitants, being the most populated state in the caucasus region. 

This country is known by the music fans, for being a usual participating country in the Eurovision Song Contest. The state broadcasting company of this country is also known for taking part also in other music events such as Turkvision song Festival.

As a member of the ABU (Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Company), Azerbaijan is elegible to take part in the ABU Song Festivals.

State Broadcaster.

Ictimai Televiziya, is one of the many broadcaster companies of Azerbaijan and is also one of the few private TV/ radio stations that forms part of the international broadcasting organisations such as the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) or the ABU (Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union). This broadcaster was launched in 2005. Since its foundation, the company is known for its wide range of programmes which vary from variety and entertainment shows, to informative broadcasts.

ITV is also known for having organised some important international events such as the Eurovision Song Contest, which was held in Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan.

Entertainment Industry.

Azerbaijan has developed a strong music industry, probably the strongest one in the south caucasus countries, and one of the strongests ones in the middle east.

In the 1990's, during and after the fall of the Soviet Union, the musical scene of the country was dominated by russian pop music, which continued being very popular after the collapse of the USSR. Anyway, the azerbaijani traditional folk music, and also pop music started rising. The Azeri pop, is highly influenced by foreign musical elements. Russian pop has had an influence in the azerbaijan entertainment industry, but the growing influence of Turkey, (which whom Azerbaijan is linked by its turkic language), and the rising popularity of the turkish pop music has also boosted the unique sound of the azeri pop. Not only Russia and Turkey have influenced the music of Azerbaijan. The neighbouring Iran also contributed to the distinct sound of the azerbaijani music. Nowadays, many of the azerbaijani pop and folk songs have got persian rythms and tunes, in adition to the other foreign musical elements.

Form left to right, some azerbaijani singers that could represent that country in the ABU TV Song Festival.

Aygün Kazimova, Röya,

Safura Alizadeh, Nikki Jamal,

Eldar Gasimov, Elnara Khalilova.

ABU Song Festival Future.

Azerbaijan has never taken part in any of the ABU Song Festivals, but due to Ictimai TV's membership of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, this country is elegible to take part in it.

Venues.

The Heidar Aliyev Cultural Centre is one of the best known music venues of Azerbaijan. This building, designed by Zaha Hadid, has hosted many symposiums and conventions. 

The Baku Crystal hall is another arena that could perfectily host the ABU TV Song Festival, if the event turned into a competition, and as a consequence, a bigger and massive event.