According to sources close to the Norwegian broadcaster NRK, the preparations for Melodi Grand Prix 2004 are following more or less the same track as in 2003. Kato Hansen, head of OGAE Norway, told that to esctoday.com.

An internal jury is about to finish the selection of more than 500 songs received in the open competition. It is understood that almost 40 percent of these entries came from songwriters from other countries (mainly Sweden). However, the broadcaster insists that “the national character of the Melodi Grand Prix must be retained”, and this is expected to influence the final choice of songs.

Furthermore, some established Norwegian songwriters have been invited to submit songs directly to the competition. Like last year, a special quality control audition will take place in Oslo where the shortlisted songs will be performed live in front of a grand jury before the NRK makes its final selection.