Two weeks ago we reported that the originally Dutch television producer Endemol starts its own European music contest, Eurobest 2003. The French magazine VSD published more details about the contest.

Greek-born but French-based Nikos Alliagas will host Eurobest 2003, which will take place March 25th in Cannes, France, during the MIPTV international television conference. The organisation is in hands of the French channel TF1.

Nine countries will participate. David Sneddon will represent the United Kingdom, Nolwenn will go for France, one of the three finalists of Operación Triunfo will go for Spain, Pasha for Russia, Notis for Greece, Bruno Cuomo for Italy, Mélanie for Belgium and Mané for Portugal. Sita might be the candidate for the Netherlands but, just as for the Spanish participant, her schedule might be too busy. All candidates are former participants of their own national editions of Star Academy and comparable formats.

The question already raised what the difference is between Eurobest 2003 and the Eurovision Sog Contest.“It's today's television versus grandfather's! Even if there is room for both programmes. Our concept has modernized the existing music shows”, one of the organisers of Eurobest 2003 told VSD. The magazine adds that Eurobest will make the Eurovision Song Contest “kitsch as it has never been (…) and eventually that it might kill it”.