Following their success in Liverpool, Israel’s national broadcaster KAN has announced that HaKohav HaBa will return as the Israeli selection process for Eurovision 2024 in Sweden.
HaKokhav HaBa set for spring
In a post on Facebook, KAN announced the return of the show, stating that it was collaborating with commercial channel Keshet 12 to produce HaKokhav HaBa. The show is set to launch in spring, and will be broadcast across all KAN media, including the station’s app and catch-up service BOX.
Israel has previously used HaKokhav HaBa – “The Rising Star” – in the years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic. The selection process does not help to choose the song that will represent Israel; rather, the artist only. The winning artist then works with Israeli songwriters to produce an entry to Eurovision.
The selection was first used in 2015 after Nadav Guedj won the show, going on to place 9th with ‘Golden Boy’. Following this, Hovi Star, Imri Ziv, Netta, Kobi Marimi and Eden Alene were chosen to represent Israel through the show. This has provided varied results, ranging from Netta’s victory in 2018 to Kobi Marimi’s 23rd place finish on home soil in Tel Aviv.
Israel’s Eurovision journey
Israel has a long and wealthy history in the Eurovision Song Contest, making their debut in 1973 with Ilanit and โEy Shamโ. Their first entry scored 97 points, placing 4th. Israel has since gone on to win the Contest on four separate occasions โ in 1978, 1979, 1998 and 2018.
Noa Kirel represented Israel in Liverpool during the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 with the song “Unicorn”. Performing at the first semi-final, Israel qualified for the final in 3rd place. In the final itself, Noa finished in 3rd place with a total of 362 points – 177 points from the jury and 185 from the televote.
What do you think of the return of HaKokhav HaBa in Israel? Do you think the selection will bring more success to KAN? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tiktok as we start our preparations for Eurovision 2024!
News Source: KAN
Photo Credit: KAN
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