The Israeli newspaper Ma'ariv reports today that Israel's broadcaster (IBA) will hold discussions in the coming days regarding the method by which the Israeli entrant for the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest will be chosen.
The last 4 years have'nt brought Israel much success in the Eurovision Song Contest: 22nd in 2000, 16th in 2001, 12th in 2002 and 19th in the recent contest in Riga. Despite that, the song contest kept it's high viewing figures in the country's ratings lists.
The commercial Israeli channel, Channel 2, broadcasted this summer a talent show of it's own, which turned out to be a massive hit show. IBA is now considering the possibilty to produce a similar show where new faces will compete, but with new and original songs, and not by performing with well known ones. The winner will be Israel's entrant to the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest in Turkey.
Since Israel only reached the 19th position in the 2003 contest, the 2004 entrant will have to participate in May 12th's semi-final, and reach one of the top 10 positions, in order to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest's final, on May 15th.
