Finnish broadcaster YLE will make no major changes to its selection process for 2007, following the winning formula of the 2006 selection which resulted in a first-time win for Finland in Athens this year.
Again, YLE will work together with Finnish record companies to invite artists and select songs for them to perform. The list of performers will be made public in November this year, and the final itself will take place on 17th February 2007, after four semifinals on the Saturdays leading up to that date. A compilation CD of all the competing songs should be in the shops by 10th February.
Serious interest
YLE's Head of Entertainment Ilkka Talasranta pointed towards Lordi's victory for Finland as a great inspiration to other Finnish artists to take part, and stated that many have already expressed a serious interest with the broadcaster. Not only was the winning song a great international success, but the national selection spawned a series of pop hits for the domestic market too. With automatic qualification for next year's final, the chance to represent Finland at home is surely one not to be missed by artists of all genres.
The rules for the contest are published on YLE's Eurovision webpage in both Finnish and Swedish.
What are your ideas for a very first Finnish home entry? Who would you like to see represent Finland on home ground? Share your ideas below!