Last year a total of 140 songs were sent in to the broadcaster, in a country with 1,4 million people. Out of those, 20 were picked to go forward to the two semi-finals.
Out of those, ten qualified for the grand final and the top two for the so-called super final where the final winner was picked.
In 2012, the same format will be used, ERR announced. The songs can be sent in till 12th of December and the qualifiers will be announced soon after that.
ERR's Head of Entertainment, Mart Normet pointed out that the purpose of the contest is to develop Estonian pop music, inspiring talented song writers and musicians and giving them opportunities to perform both in and outside Estonia.
Who will follow Getter Jaani?
The first semi-final will take place on the 18th of February, followed a week later, on the 25th of February by the second semi-final. The final will be broadcast on the 3rd of March.
"Like previously, we wait for fresh ideas and active participation also this time," Heidy Purga, the Executive Producer of Eesti Laul and added last year's contest brought together a lot of good musicians and songs.
In 2011, the winner of Eesti Laul, Getter Jaani qualified for the Grand Final of the 56th Eurovision Song Contest with her song Rockefeller Street, making it the second time Estonia has qualified since the introduction of the Semi-Finals. She has enjoyed immense success after that, doing well in charts both in Estonia and abroad.
