In the third edition of Operación Triunfo, viewers are given a more important role than in previous editions. They will choose 5 candidates to leave the Academy every week, of which 2 singers have to compete to stay another week.

In the third edition of Operación Triunfo, which starts on 29th September, each week 5 singers will be selected by the Spanish audience using televote to leave the Academy. After that a jury will save one of the nominees, the teachers another one and the other participants are allowed to rescue a third one. From the two nominees left, the public could choose which singer could continue at the Academy. Unlike last year, the jury will not select the nominees, they can only save one of them.

The big final of Operación Triunfo 3 will take place on 22nd December, where the three winners will be selected by televoting.

The Eurovision Song Contest selection will take place two weeks after this final, where in a not confirmed number of galas the Spanish audience will select the entry for Istanbul 2004.