Contrary to earlier reports naming 5 March as date of the Austrian national final song.null.fünf, ORF today declared that the televised preselection will take place on 25 February, as Austrian newspaper Der Standard reports. Five hand-picked singers and ten songs are going to compete for the ticket to Kiew.
In early October, an internal ORF-jury is going to select five singers for the next national final, who will have to compete with two songs each, making ten entrants. ORF declared to be especially keen about delievering a good variety of musical styles to be represented by these five artists, ranging from folk to pop to comedy.
Candidates are still welcome to make an application until the end of September, but are required to be experienced and have the needed stage charisma. Earlier this year, both Alf Poier, who represented Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest 2003, and the very popular DJ Ötzi declared their interest in representing Austria this year (again). If any of the two will be selected is yet unknown.
All ten song.null.fünf entries will be played by Ö3, the hit music radio station of national broadcaster ORF, starting from early October. The five competetors will then participate in the televised final on 25 February, where televoters will decide about the Austrian entry 2005. Due to a poor result in this year's Eurovision Song Contest final, Austria will have to compete in the qualifier round in Kiev.
