Eurovision 2010 hosts Norway already looking for the song to bring them two-in-a-row

By Jamie McLoughlin on Jul 7, 09 01:26 PM

NORWEGIAN broadcaster NRK has confirmed that the Fornebu Arena (usually called the Telenor - but as that's a sponsor's name it's had to be changed to something non-commercial) will host the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest next May.

The Fornebu Arena in Oslo will host Eurovision 2010

And why waste a press release on just one bit of news? That's obviously what next year's hosts thought as well - so they've also launched the search for just the right tune to represent Norway on home soil in just over 10 months' time.

The Melodi Grand Prix 2010 (MGP) is open to composers who live in Norway or have a permanent Norwegian address prior to September 1 this year. A Norwegian songwriter can join forces with a non-national, but if you were to represent that songwriting team in a pie chart, the slice marked 'Norwegian' must be at least 50 per cent. Which means groups of three or more co-composers will have to get their calculators out.

And just to keep those rulemakers even busier, all entries must be in by September 1 and on audio CD only. MP3s will be chucked into the nearest elegant-yet-functional Scandinavian litter bin, regardless of whether it contains a potential winning song.

If you meet the NRK citeria and have a song which you think could win for the home team in Olso, then you can download the registration form here.

Could your tune be as successful as this? It's Norway's maiden win from 1985 - Bobbysocks with La Det Swinge.