Israeli broadcaster IBA will start promoting the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest on April 28th, with a series of short daily programs about the contest.
Yoav Ginay, who was the lyricist of Diva (Israel 1998) and Light a candle (Israel 2002), and who is IBA's most Eurovision-identified figure, will be the host of the daily programs, starting this Wednesday. The first shows will only last a few minutes and will feature memorable moments from past song contests as well as a quiz the viewers will be invited to participate in. In addition, Israeli artists who were related with the contest will appear and share their past experiences. Among the guests will be Yardena Arazi (host of the 1979 contest and entrant in 1976 & 1988), Ilanit (first Israeli entrant, 1973) and Tzvika Pick (composer of the Israeli entries of 1998, 2002 and of the Ukrainian entry in 2003).
IBA also plans special longer programs scheduled to be broadcasted on May 12th, just before the qualifying round, and for May 15th prior to the grand final in Istanbul.
These preparations and build up to Eurovision may be considered as the IBA's response to the criticism which was pointed against the broadcaster, after the somewhat bizarre pre-selection show this February.
