Finer judging process for new Eurosong

Several major changes have been implemented by the newly-appointed PBS Eurosong team for the upcoming Eurosong 2009 - Malta's selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2009.

The changes include the broadcast of the second phase on a weekly TV show. The top 15 entries for the final will be promoted by judges while the public will have the right to promote five more entries through televoting. And singers will retain only one entry each in the final phase and a super-final with the top three entries will be open to televoting.

The changes are meant to better promote local artists, songwriters and authors. The system caters for a finer judging process, keeping in mind the public's opinion, the team said.

The lyrics may be written in any language. Composers and authors who submit songs for the festival may be either Maltese or from countries where Maltese composers and authors have equal opportunities to participate.

Singers may submit up to two songs, however, they will be asked to retain only one entry for the final of February 2009.

Up to a maximum of 80 songs will qualify to the second phase, where all songs will participate in a live weekly TV programme to be aired on TVM every Saturday night. A panel of judges will promote 15 entries to the final, while the televiewers will give a "second chance" to another five entries through televoting.

Twenty entries will compete in the final. A panel of judges will promote three entries for the Super-Final, which will be held on the same night. All songs will retain all votes given by the previous juries up to the super-final. Televoting will determine the winning entry out of the three super finalists.

Submissions will be accepted on October 13 and 14 at PBS offices, Guardamangia. The first eliminatory phase will be held between October 23 and 26. The second eliminatory phase will be held between November 1 and 2 while the 10 televised programmes will be aired between November and January. The final and super-final of Eurosong 2009 will be held during the same night in February.

The winning entry will represent Malta in Moscow at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009.

The full rules and regulations for Eurosong 2009 can be downloaded from www.pbs.com.mt.