Norway

Tonight 8 more acts were fighting for three tickets to the Norwegian Melodi Grand Prix final. The line-up included a former Junior Eurovision Song Contest participant, an international top model and also a finalist from last year - and music wise we saw quite some variation in what Norway has to offer.

Norway found their first three finalists last Saturday and now it is time to take a closer look at the next bundle of 8 acts who will compete for three more final spots. Get to know the participants for the second Norwegian heat this Saturday and tell if you can predict the outcome. 

Tonight Norway kicked off their national final Melodi Grand Prix. In Ørland eight artists competed for three spots in the final. At the end a mixture of jury and televotiong decided that we will see Reidun Sæter, The Carburetors and Nora Foss Al-Jabri in the final on February 11th.

Tonight three shows will take place, all of them being Nordic. Iceland continue with second heat, Norway start their selection and Denmark will pick its winner, who will get to represent the country at the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest. Which show will you watch?

On saturday 8 acts stands ready to fight for tickets to the Norwegian final. This first heat will be hosted from Ørland, which is the third time they are hosting a preliminary heat for Melodi Grand Prix. A 1984 Eurovision Song Contest participant will try to make it to the international contest again.

The EBU has announced that a total of 43 countries will participate in the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Baku the next 22, 24 and 26 of May. It confirms the participation of Armenia, the return of Montenegro after three years of absence and the withdrawal of Poland.

NRK recently revealed the last few remaining names of those competing in next year's edition of Melodi Grand Prix. Two of the artists will be returning for another pop after taking part this year as part of power duo Åste & Rikke and country band Sie Gubba.