Icelandic TV Plans Early Start for 2008 Eurovision

doteurovision.com reports:

Icelandic TV looks set to be the first to kick off the search for its 2008 Eurovision Song Contest entry.After several disappointing results, state broadcaster RUV plans to begin airing a series of TV shows aimed at picking a song for Belgrade as early as 29 September.

Although the Eurovision rule book usually insists that songs must have been released after 1 October to take part in the following year's contest, the EBU often will grant special permission to broadcasters where they wish to bend the rule slightly.

Iceland's biggest circulation daily, Frettabladid revealed this weekend that thirty songs will be in the running to represent the country next year.

From late September onwards RUV will preview three potential entries each week with one song going through to a national final to take place either later this year or early in January 2008.

Nine writers have been contacted and asked to submit three songs each to the competition, alongside this, there will be a special wildcard show featuring songs submitted to a public competition.

Songwriters linked with the contest include Gudmundur Jonsson úr Sálinni, Dr. Gunni, Barði í Bang Gang, Magnús Þór Sigmundsson, Magnús Eiríksson, Hafdís Huld Þrastardóttir, Svala Björgvinsdóttir, Fabúla and Andrea Gylfadóttir.