On Tuesday 11 August, Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS) is launching Rhythm of Bhutan, the first-ever National Selection Show for the debut edition of the Eurovision Song Contest Asia scheduled for 2026 in Bangkok. This marks Bhutan’s first participation in the contest, as the country seeks to select a song to represent them at Eurovision Asia 2026.

How to Watch

The show will be broadcast live in Bhutan via BBS television and digital platforms at 15:00 CEST (19:00 Bhutan Time). International viewers can stream the full two-hour show live on the official Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel, making it accessible worldwide.

Competing Songs and Artists

Five songs will compete in the selection, performed by the following artists in this running order:

  • Karma Drupchu - "Pha Yuel (The Homeland)"
  • The Sangay Lhaden Band - "Pemi Tshewang Tashi (The Legend)"
  • Nyendra - "Lhayi Semo (The Angel)"
  • Pelden Wangchuk - "Jo’Druel (The Journey)"
  • Baeyul301 - "Drenpa (The Memories)"

These artists represent a diverse mix of styles ranging from folk, soft rock, pop, R&B, to hip-hop, often blending Bhutanese cultural elements with modern sounds. The contestants sing in multiple languages including Dzongkha, English, Hindi, Nepali, and Tibetan.

Voting Process

Viewers worldwide can participate in free voting at eurovisionasia.com during the broadcast. Each voter has eight free votes but must allocate these across at least three different songs. Additional votes can be purchased up to a maximum of 10 extra votes.

The final result will be determined by a combination of votes: a professional jury holds 40% of the influence, Bhutanese viewers' votes constitute another 40%, and votes from the "Rest of the World" category contribute the remaining 20%.

Hosts and Jury

Rhythm of Bhutan will be hosted by Phub Tshering, speaking in Dzongkha, and Kelzang Dolkar, speaking in English. The judging panel features prominent Bhutanese entertainment figures Choeying Jatsho, Mr. Pema Samdrup, Sonam Dorji, and Ugyen.

About the Artists

  • Karma Drupchu: A seasoned performer known for combining folk and soft rock, singing in multiple languages, with exposure in Indian and Bhutanese music scenes.
  • The Sangay Lhaden Band: A group blending rock, folk and pop, experienced touring in Bhutan, India, and internationally, known for multilingual performances.
  • Nyendra: A young singer-songwriter and producer skilled in pop and R&B, producing independently and educated in mass communication.
  • Pelden Wangchuk: Runner-up of Bhutan Got Talent, popular in Bhutan’s contemporary music scene with several hits.
  • Baeyul301: A dynamic collective mixing pop, hip-hop and R&B, having gained millions of streams and international exposure including Australia tours.

Follow updates and join the celebration of Bhutan’s Eurovision Asia journey by visiting eurovisionasia.com.