The Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronot reports today that Israel's broadcaster (IBA) has decided to hold an internal pre-selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2004, as in recent years.

An internal IBA committee will convene soon and will chose the Israeli entrant, who will have to take part in the 2004 semi-final, to be held in Istanbul on May 12th. The exact method by which the final entry will be chosen is not clear yet, though according to the report in Yediot Ahronot it will be similar to last year's method, when Lior Narkis was chosen as performer, and later on presented 4 optional songs. Narkis finished 19th in the final in Riga.
A few names have been tipped recently as possible candidates, among them there is Ninet Tayeb, winner of the Israeli Fame Academy or her runner up, Shiri Maymon. Another rumour claims that Israel's entrant to the 50th contest in 2005 will be chosen by a talent show, identical to Spain's Operacion Triunfo.

The newspaper also reports today that the Eurovision Song Contest remains as the most popular TV show in Israel, as has been for many years, since the 2003 broadcast from Riga gained 33% share of the ratings, which is the highest number this year.