Several major changes were implemented by the newly appointed PBS Eurosong Team for the upcoming Eurosong 2009 – Malta’s selection for Eurovision Song Contest 2009.

Changes include the broadcast of the second phase on a weekly TV show; judges to promote top 15 entries for the final, while the public will have the right to promote five more entries through televoting; singers will retain only one entry each in the final phase and a super-final with the top three entries open for televoting.

Up to a maximum of 80 songs will qualify to the second phase, where all songs will participate in a live weekly TV programme to be aired on TVM every Saturday night. A panel of judges will promote 15 entries to the final, while the televiewers will give a “second chance” to other 5 entries through televoting.

20 entries will compete in the final. A panel of judges will promote 3 entries for the super-final, which will be held on the same night. All songs will retain all votes given by the previous juries up to the super-final. Televoting will determine the winning entry out of the 3 super finalists.

Submissions will be accepted on 13 and 14 October at PBS offices, G’Mangia. The first eliminatory phase will be held between the 23 and 26 October. The second eliminatory phase will be held between 1 and 2 November, while the 10 televised programmes will be aired between November and January.

The full rules and regulations for Eurosong 2009 can be downloaded from: http://www.pbs.com.mt