Posting on social media, Ylvis confirmed they were in discussions regarding Melodi Grand Prix 2026 participation, before Israel was confirmed as competing in Eurovision 2026.
Vegard and Bård Ylvisåker, better known as Ylvis, have confirmed they were among the acts in discussions regarding competing in Melodi Grand Prix. The brothers are best known for their song “The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)” which went viral in 2013, they have continued their comedy career since hosting and appearing in numerous TV shows in Norway.
Ylvis stated that they had:
created a song and a concept that we thought would fit perfectly in the MGP context…When it became clear in December that this would not happen, we saw no other option than to give up our place in this year’s competition
NRK confirms that they had been working with Ylvis to participate in Melodi Grand Prix, but that an agreement was not finalised before they went their separate ways in early December. Ylvis confirm that they made it clear to NRK early on that should Israel be allowed to compete in Eurovision 2026, they would not compete in Melodi Grand Prix.
Melodi Grand Prix 2026 will take place on February 28 in the Håkons Hall in Lillehammer, which hosted the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2004. The contest will feature ten finalists. Nine out of the ten artists have already been chosen, and they will be announced on January 19. The tenth and final finalist will be decided through a radio duel between eight artists, where the audience will vote for their favorite. This tenth finalist will be chosen on January 26, and the songs will also be released on that date.
Kyle Alessandro represented Norway at Eurovision 2025 with “Lighter”. He finished 18th in the final, scoring 89 points. Norway was 23rd with the jury, receiving 22 points, and 12th with the public, receiving 67 points.
Source: NRK
Norway debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1960 and have won the contest three times; in 1985, 1995 and 2009. The country has the dubious record of finishing last the most times, twelve in total, and have received nul points four times. Norway last won the contest in 2009, when Alexander Rybak broke all records with his song “Fairytale”. He scored 387 points in the final, receiving 16 sets of 12 points and scoring points from every country.
