In 2010, IBA's second channel took responsibility for the Israeli selection process, known as Kdam Eurovision. Next year, the organisation of the national final will revert back to Channel One, although it is proposed that an independent company will oversee the production of the show.
In recent years, the Israeli selection has culminated in one show to select the winning song to go on and compete in the Eurovision Song Contest. That is going to change in 2011, where no fewer than six shows, said to each be 90 minutes long will be broadcast before the winning song is decided.
As of yet, there is no confirmed news with regards to participants for 2011, so it is unclear whether broadcaster IBA will favour the selection method of the last three years, where one artist was invited and the selection process was to decide which song to choose, or whether they will revert back to an open competition.
We want to invigorate the Eurovision brand in Israel
The six shows will begin broadcasting in January 2011, with the final being a live show at some time in February although exact dates for the shows and the final have yet to be formally comfirmed. In a statement from IBA, a spokesperson said "The broadcaster sees the Eurovision Song Contest as an important showcase of Israeli popular culture. We have approached several production companies, asking for their ideas and proposals for producing the series. We hope to recieve original proposals, that will invigorate the Eurovision Song Contest brand in Israel, and of course lead to a successful Israeli entry in Germany in 2011".
Harel Skaat qualified for the 2010 Final in Oslo earlier this year, and despite being an early favourite with the bookmakers finished ultimately in 14th position with his song Milim. It seems clear that the Israeli broadcaster is positively trying to stimulate and rejuvenate public interest in the Eurovision Song Contest with their ideas for 2011 and it is with anticipation that we await further details of these exciting changes.
