NTCU, the Ukrainian public broadcaster will hold a national final on 27th February 2005 to select the Ukrainian representative for the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest. This year's host country sees it big and will hold a semifinal with 100 songs (!). 20 of them will proceed to the final.
From 1st August till 20th September all Ukrainian citizens can send in their songs in audio or video versions to the Ukrainian broadcaster UT-1. Instrumental and vocal parts should be able to be divided. The lyrics can be in every language which can be understood but cannot contain common censored phrases.
The performer has to be 16 years old by the final which will be held on 27th February 2005. The songs may not be released before 1st October 2004. The maximum number of performers on stage is 6 and the song cannot be longer than 3 minutes. All the songs have to be original work of the shown authors. The 100 semifinalists will be chosen by a jury of 7 up to 9 people. The jury members are professional producers and are not allowed to submit their own songs.
The contest begins on 25th September when the 100 selected songs will be announced. On two days – 28th and 29th September – the videos for the songs will be shot in Kiev. All songs will be introduced within 20 weeks on TV, 5 songs per week.
Televoting will point out the 20 finalists. With this format the Eurovision Song Contest format is followed as closely as possible. The final will be held in prime time in the Sports Palace in Kiev on 27th February 2005. The 2005 Ukrainian representative will as well be selected by televoting.
