We previously reported that 119 people had registered their interest in participating in the Azeri national selection process. Now this number has been whittled down to 72, who shortly will take to the stage to fight for the right to represent Azerbaijan next year in Baku.
According to broadcaster Ictimai television, the 72 successful acts will be split into 8 heats with 9 participants in each.
The format of the selection is similar to last year where each heat will take place over 5 days starting at 21:00 local time, with each of the 9 participants performing a different song from Monday-Thursday and on Friday the winner of each heat will be decided.
Similar format to last year
Last year a foreign song was performed on the Monday, an Azeri song on the Tuesday, a Eurovision Song Contest entry on the Wednesday and a song of their choice on the Thursday with the winner being announced on the Friday.
After the 8 heats have taken place, the winners will perform in a semi-final where they will be whittled down to three acts who will proceed to the final.
In every stage of the competition, the winners will be decided through a mixture of SMS and Jury votes.
According to Ictimai TV, three of the successful participants come from the United States.
The 2012 Eurovision Song Contest will take place on the 22nd, 24th and 26th of May in Baku, Azerbaijan.
