The Short Version
Australia's large viewing audience was a genuine contributing factor in its 2015 Eurovision invitation, but attributing the invitation solely to viewership is a significant oversimplification. The most reliable sources — including direct quotes from EBU officials — consistently cite multiple drivers: the contest's 60th anniversary celebration, Australia's decades-long broadcasting tradition since 1983, SBS's associate EBU membership, and broader cultural affinity. Framing audience size as the singular cause omits these equally prominent factors.