As was previously annouced back in November, there are big changes in store for Melodi Grand Prix 2020. While the 2019 edition featured a one-shot national final, the format will be expanding for next year’s edition. These expansions come to commemorate the show’s approaching 60th anniversary.
As announced by NRK yesterday, the 2020 edition of MGP will be made up of five semi-finals, followed be a grand final. While all six shows will be broadcast live from Oslo, each semi final will be showcasing artists from each of the following Norwegian regions:
- Northern Norway
- Central Norway
- Western Norway
- Eastern Norway
- Southern Norway
Each of these semis will embrace a literal 50/50 jury/televote format, with two qualifiers emerging from each show. One jury pick and one public pick will proceed to the 10-act grand final. A mix of the Norwegian public and international juries will then determine who will represent Norway at Eurovision 2020!
In light of these announcements, Head of MGB at NRK Stig Karlsen said the following:
We are really looking forward to conveying great music involvement from all over the country
Quote from Head of MGB at NRK, Stig Karlsen
Submissions are already open!
With this format change comes a clear sense of urgency from the Norwegian broadcaster. The window for submissions for MGP 2020 have already opened, and will close on May 17th 2019. This means that applicants will know if Norway have qualified for the grand final in Tel Aviv, but will not yet know where they placed!
Accompanying the opening of the submissions window were some minor changes to the submission rules:
- All registered entries must have a minimum of one Norwegian songwriter on the team
- Each producer / songwriter can submit a maximum of three songs
Melodi Grand Prix 2019
KEiiNO won this year’s Melodi Grand Prix in Spektrum Arena in Oslo, thereby earning the right to represent Norway at Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv in May with “Spirit In The Sky”. The song enjoyed a massive boost towards the finish line from the public, after only one of the ten international juries (Israel) gave their 12 points to the winning entry.
Reflecting the regional diversity of MGP 2020, KEiiNO features Sámi rapper and joiker Fred-René Buljo, alongside Norwegian singers Tom Hugo Hermansen and Alexandra Rotan. The latter two both competed in MGP 2018, with Alexandra progressing to the Super Final alongside Stella Mwangi with “You Got Me”. The ‘supergroup’ specifically formed for Melodi Grand Prix towards the end of last year.
KEiiNO will compete in the second-half of the second semi-final in Tel Aviv on May 16th, one day before submissions for MGP 2020 close.
What do you make of these format changes? Let us know! Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra on Instagram and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates!
