New format for Eurovision in 2004

Malta must place among the top 10 in this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Latvia if its participation in next year's festival were to be assured, Maltasong chairman Charlò Bonnici said.

The European Broadcasting Union's television committee last week presented its new format for next year's contest, which includes this new requirement.

The format, which was put together following consultations with members, has been welcomed by some but provoked strong opposition from others.

One of the points which emerged from the new format includes a pre-selection round the day before the actual contest.

This was the most favoured format by members who replied to the EBU survey after a consultant suggested a two-night event as one possibility for change.

The new format has the following changes:

¤ The "big four group" - Germany, the UK, Spain and France - will be guaranteed participation. To organise a good-quality contest, the EBU felt their contribution was vital.

¤ After the big four, the best 10 countries of this year's Eurovision will be assured participation in 2004.

¤ Besides these 14 countries, 10 more countries can participate. They will be selected the day before the Eurovision contest, which means that up to 40 countries can participate on the first night and countries have new chances every year.

¤ All members can now send an artist to the event and the Eurovision week will be extended from seven to 10 days, to allow for extra rehearsals.

¤ Broadcast of the qualifying round will be compulsory for those taking part in it, and optional for stations already guaranteed a place in Saturday's contest.

Mr Bonnici said that, when asked for their suggestions, Maltasong and the Public Broadcasting Services had recommended that the EBU maintain the status quo.

"However, our second suggestion was to have a semi-final to the festival, which is the format that the EBU finally adopted," he said.

These new regulations place additional pressure on this year's contestant to place among the top 10 in Latvia, but Mr Bonnici said the singer should not be disheartened.

"We have a good track record of placing among the top 10 so I am not that worried. Apart from that, if we don't make it, we can always compete in the semi-finals and still have the possibility of making it to the final night," he said.

Except for once, Malta has always placed among the top 10 since 1991. The exception was 1999 when it slipped to 15th position with the song Believe in... Peace sung by the group Times 3.

This will be the 16th time that Malta is taking part in the contest since 1971, with Ira Losco achieving the best result ever for Malta, placing second in Estonia last year.

Malta did not take part in the contest between 1973 and 1974, resurfacing with Renato in 1975 and disappearing once again between 1976 and 1990.

One visible benefit of the EBU's new format is that, as a result of all members becoming active participants from next year, revenue will increase.

This increase is expected to easily cover the costs of the extra programme for the semi-finals, so there will be no added burden on the host broadcaster, or member participants.