A spokesperson of the Dutch broadcaster NOS said that 502 songs were submitted for the Nationaal Songfestival 2003, the Dutch selection for the Eurovision Song Contest.
After one year as passive participant due to the disappointing result of Michelle Courtens in 2001, there is more interest in the national final than in previous years. In 2001 approximately 330 songs were submitted.
In the upcoming weeks a jury of musicians, producers and NOS representatives will select 32 songs for the four preselections. The best two songs from each preselection will continue to the final at March 1 in the Ahoy stadium in the city of Rotterdam.
