NRK, the Norwegian national broadcaster, is going big in 2020 thus introducing semi-finals to its traditional national selection Melodi Grand Prix (MGP).

MGP, the Norwegian national selection celebrates its 60th anniversary next year, hence the Norwegian broadcaster has decided to introduce a total of 5 semi-finals bringing the number of shows to six (including the grand final).

All six shows will be broadcast live from Oslo and will include hopefuls representing the five regions of Norway:

• Northern Norway
• Central Norway
• Western Norway
• Eastern Norway
• Southern Norway

The Norwegian audience will play a key role in determining the hopefuls who will compete in the Grand Final of MGP 2020, they will choose 5 acts whilst a special NRK MGP jury will be responsible to deliberate another five acts.

A total of 10 acts will compete in the Grand Final of MGP 2020, whilst the 2020 Norwegian Eurovision entry will be determined via a 100% public vote.

Stig Karlsen (MGP Producer/ Norwegian HoD) says:

We are really looking forward to conveying great music involvement from all over the country.We are now looking forward to mark the 60th anniversary of  the show (MGP) next year!

Earlier this month NRK confirmed its participation at Eurovision 2020 and revealed its plan of action for next year’s ESC edition thus opening the submission window for MGP 2020.

Composers and artists wishing to represent Norway in Eurovision 2020 can submit their application to NRK until Friday 17 May.

Norway in Eurovision

Norway debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1960 and has won the competition thrice: 1985 (Bobbysocks), 1995 (Secret Garden) and 2009 (Alexander Rybak).

The Nordic country has successfully hosted the competition thrice, once in Bergen and twice in Oslo and has partaken in Europe’s favorite television show 57 times.

In 2019 Norway will be represented by KEiiNO at the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv and is set to perform at Second Semi-final on 16 May 2019.