Norwegian broadcaster NRK has announced a major overhaul of the national Melodi Grand Prix (MGP) selection for 2025, still used to choose its representative in the Eurovision contest, adopting an old format with a single grand final scheduled for February 15, 2025at the Oslo Spektrum, an emblematic venue for the competition. Abandoning the semi-finals introduced in recent years, the event returns to its origins.
10 artistes will compete, compared to 18 in 2024, to represent Norway at Eurovision. Their names will be revealed on January 16 during a press conference. The presentation will be entrusted to Markus Neby, Marte Stokstad et Aunt Lidbom (from left to right). Tickets will go on sale from November 22.
A new dynamic
These adjustments follow changes within the Norwegian Eurovision team, with the arrival of Tarjei Strom et Mads Tørklep at the head of the delegation and musical direction. This new format, adopted by other countries such as Estonia, reflects a desire for renewal after the disappointing results of 2024.
NRK hopes that this optimized approach will bring Norway back to the forefront of Europe, perhaps reviving the success of 2009when Alexander Rybak triumphed with Fairytale.
A disappointing and unexpected final result
In 2024, Norway was represented by the band Gåte with the song “Ulveham” in the Eurovision Song Contest. The group finished in last place at the grand final in Sweden, only obtaining a total of 16 points including 12 points from the jury (23rd) and 4 points from the televote (24th). It was in 2012 that the country also obtained the last place in the final with the young artist Tooji and the song “Stay”.
The country in the competition
Norway made its debut in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1960 and has won the contest three times – in 1985, 1995 and 2009. The country has the record of finishing last the most times, eleven in total, and has had a total score of zero points, four times. Norway last won the competition in 2009 when Alexander Rybak broke all records with his song “Fairytale”. He scored 387 points in the final, receiving the famous “12 points” 16 times and scoring points from all countries.
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Source: NRK
Credits Photo : EBU / Corinne Cumming
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