Melodi Grand Prix

Melodi Grand Prix, often referred to simply as MGP, is an annual music competition organized by Norway's public broadcaster, Norsk Rikskringkasting (NRK). Since 1960, this event has served as the platform for selecting Norway's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest. Over the years, MGP has produced three Eurovision winners and achieved nine top-five finishes for Norway. However, despite these successes, Norway holds the record for the most last-place finishes in Eurovision, with 11 entries ending up at the bottom.

The competition is a significant event in Norway and other Nordic countries, frequently influencing music charts. For instance, the 2008 MGP winner topped the Norwegian charts. The origins of Melodi Grand Prix trace back to the start of the Eurovision Song Contest in 1956, with Norway joining the contest in 1960. That same year marked the inaugural MGP, where ten songs competed in a radio semi-final, and the top five advanced to the televised contest. Nora Brockstedt emerged victorious with "Voi Voi" and subsequently represented Norway at Eurovision.

Throughout its history, MGP has had to skip a few years. It was canceled in 1970 due to a Nordic boycott, in 1991 because the songs were deemed substandard, and in 2002 after Norway was relegated. More recently, in 2020, the winner could not compete in Eurovision as the contest was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Every winner of Melodi Grand Prix has gone on to represent Norway at Eurovision. Norway has triumphed at Eurovision three times—in 1985, 1995, and 2009. On the flip side, Norway has also finished last 11 times. Despite these ups and downs, Melodi Grand Prix remains a cornerstone of Norway's music scene, playing a crucial role in the country's Eurovision journey.