Eurovision Song Contest boss Martin Österdahl stepping down after five years
The boss of the Eurovision Song Contest is stepping down after five years in the role, the European Broadcasting Union has announced.
Martin Österdahl, the Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) and Junior Eurovision Song Contest, was at the helm of the competition in the years it was held in Rotterdam, Turin, Liverpool, Malmö, and, most recently, Basel.
During last year's competition in Malmö, Österdahl, who traditionally announces when votes have been counted on finals night, was booed by certain audience members when he began to speak.
Although he was present in the arena this year, he did not speak.
In a statement announcing his departure, Österdahl said: "From day one, I was inspired by the contest's unique potential and power to unite people through music - never more so than in 2021, when we brought Eurovision back live to millions around the world amid a global pandemic, demonstrating the resilience and spirit at the heart of our community.
"I am immensely proud of the changes we made to modernise and strengthen the Eurovision Song Contest.
"These include establishing the permanent 'United by Music' slogan for the event, attracting long-term sponsors and brand extension partnerships, and growing engagement and reach on our digital platforms that have brought millions of new fans to the contest.
"The ESC is now an event where hundreds of thousands sign up to buy tickets, a show watched by hundreds of millions, connecting with youth audiences worldwide, and stands as a unique platform for overnight global success for artists and songwriters."
He added that it had been "the honour of my professional life to steer the world's largest music event, developing the contest as a global super-brand that brings joy to more people than ever before".
The 2021 competition was held in Rotterdam, Netherlands, after the show was cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, and was won by Italy's Måneskin.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) produces the annual singing contest, which this year saw Austria's JJ, real name Johannes Pietsch, crowned the winner with the song Wasted Love.
Martin Green, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, said: "On behalf of everyone at the EBU, all our participating broadcasters, partners, and the entire Eurovision Song Contest community, I extend my sincere thanks to Martin Österdahl for his vision, expertise, and tireless commitment to the event.
"His steady leadership through some of the contest's most challenging and innovative years has set new standards of excellence.
"As we approach our 70th anniversary next year, Martin is leaving his role having played an integral part in growing the Eurovision Song Contest brand and ensuring its bright future. We thank him for his amazing work and lasting impact on the song contest and wish him every success."
Green will take on executive supervisor duties on an interim basis, the EBU said.
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The Journal
2 days ago
- The Journal
Eurovision boss Martin Österdahl to step down after overseeing recent controversial contests
EUROVISION SUPREMO MARTIN Österdahl is stepping down from his role after five years. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced that the song contest's Executive Supervisor will leave his position this summer. It comes after Österdahl bore the brunt of criticism for the controversies that plagued the competition in Malmö last year , which was marked by protests and backlash as a result of Israel's inclusion. The EBU said Österdahl has managed 'a period of remarkable innovation and resilience in the Contest's history', including the staging of Eurovision in Rotterdam during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021 and the hosting of the contest in Liverpool in 2023 on behalf of Ukraine who won the previous year. 'Under his leadership, the Eurovision Song Contest has implemented changes to modernize the Contest and extend its reach – including advancing digital engagement and deepening its commitment to inclusivity and creativity across Europe and beyond – ensuring the event has continued to grow in popularity and relevance.' Österdahl was the face of the EBU, which oversees the annual music contest. During the live broadcast, the presenters will go to him to confirm that the public voting results have been verified, with him then delivering the signature line 'you're good to go'. In Malmö last year, contestants accused the Israeli delegation of filming them and posting clips on social media without their permission in the days before the final. Advertisement The Israeli national broadcaster later claimed that its team at the contest had been subjected to 'an unprecedented display of hatred' from other delegations and entrants. The Dutch act Joost Klein was expelled from the contest, after a female camera operator accused him of threatening behaviour during rehearsals. Swedish prosecutors said later that there was no case for him to answer and no proof the gesture he had made towards the staff member 'was capable of causing serious fear'. Österdahl was loudly booed several times during the live broadcast of the final. New guidelines were introduced for this year's contest in a bid to avoid the controversy seen in Malmö. However, Israel's inclusion was still a source of contention for many amid the ongoing war in Gaza, with many calling for the competition to be boycotted. Israel ranked 14th after the jury vote and ended up coming second to Austria after the audience votes were included. The EBU later said it would look at 'the promotion of acts by their delegations and associated parties', after an independent news branch of the EBU published a report which found that an Israeli government agency paid for adverts targeting the Eurovision public vote. Here at home, RTÉ also 'requested a breakdown in voting numbers from the EBU' , which is essentially an alliance of public service media organisations whose countries are within the European Broadcasting Area. Related Reads RTÉ asks EBU for breakdown of Eurovision televote amid disquiet over Israel placing Spain's prime minister says Israel should be excluded from Eurovision due to 'double standards' Austria's JJ has won the Eurovision final, with Israel finishing second In a statement, Österdahl said he is 'immensely proud of the changes we made to modernise and strengthen the Eurovision Song Contest'. 'The ESC is now an event where hundreds of thousands sign up to buy tickets, a show watched by hundreds of millions, connecting with youth audiences worldwide, and stands as a unique platform for overnight global success for artists and songwriters,' he said. 'As my overall involvement with the ESC is now approaching a period of twenty years in total, it has been the honour of my professional life to steer the world's largest music event, developing the Contest as a global super brand that brings joy to more people than ever before. 'I am deeply grateful to the entire ESC community and particularly to the ESC Core Team, participating broadcasters, artists, and fans for their passion and support.' The EBU said Martin Green, the director of Eurovision Song Contest, will fill Österdahl's role on an interim basis until a permanent replacement can be found. Green was appointed to the new director role last year having previously been the executive producer for the 2023 contest in Liverpool, as well as London's 2012 Olympic Games. 'Further announcements regarding the future structure of the Eurovision Song Contest team will be made in due course,' the EBU added. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- RTÉ News
Eurovision Song Contest boss Martin Österdahl stepping down after five years
The boss of the Eurovision Song Contest is stepping down after five years in the role, the European Broadcasting Union has announced. Martin Österdahl, the Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) and Junior Eurovision Song Contest, was at the helm of the competition in the years it was held in Rotterdam, Turin, Liverpool, Malmö, and, most recently, Basel. During last year's competition in Malmö, Österdahl, who traditionally announces when votes have been counted on finals night, was booed by certain audience members when he began to speak. Although he was present in the arena this year, he did not speak. In a statement announcing his departure, Österdahl said: "From day one, I was inspired by the contest's unique potential and power to unite people through music - never more so than in 2021, when we brought Eurovision back live to millions around the world amid a global pandemic, demonstrating the resilience and spirit at the heart of our community. "I am immensely proud of the changes we made to modernise and strengthen the Eurovision Song Contest. "These include establishing the permanent 'United by Music' slogan for the event, attracting long-term sponsors and brand extension partnerships, and growing engagement and reach on our digital platforms that have brought millions of new fans to the contest. "The ESC is now an event where hundreds of thousands sign up to buy tickets, a show watched by hundreds of millions, connecting with youth audiences worldwide, and stands as a unique platform for overnight global success for artists and songwriters." He added that it had been "the honour of my professional life to steer the world's largest music event, developing the contest as a global super-brand that brings joy to more people than ever before". The 2021 competition was held in Rotterdam, Netherlands, after the show was cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, and was won by Italy's Måneskin. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) produces the annual singing contest, which this year saw Austria's JJ, real name Johannes Pietsch, crowned the winner with the song Wasted Love. Martin Green, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, said: "On behalf of everyone at the EBU, all our participating broadcasters, partners, and the entire Eurovision Song Contest community, I extend my sincere thanks to Martin Österdahl for his vision, expertise, and tireless commitment to the event. "His steady leadership through some of the contest's most challenging and innovative years has set new standards of excellence. "As we approach our 70th anniversary next year, Martin is leaving his role having played an integral part in growing the Eurovision Song Contest brand and ensuring its bright future. We thank him for his amazing work and lasting impact on the song contest and wish him every success." Green will take on executive supervisor duties on an interim basis, the EBU said.
Extra.ie
4 days ago
- Extra.ie
JJ's Eurovision trophy didn't survive the celebration
Eurovision winner JJ has joined the list of artists who have broken the iconic trophy with former Ireland representatives Jedward saying the act is now a 'tradition.' The 24-year-old singer, whose real name is Johannes Pietsch, won the 2025 edition of the competition which was held in Basel, Switzerland last month. JJ represented his native of Austria with the song, Wasted Love, and expressed his love for Europe following his win. Eurovision winner JJ has joined the list of artists who have broken the iconic trophy with former Ireland representatives Jedward saying the act is now a 'tradition.' Pic:Over the weekend, JJ took to video-sharing app TikTok to confirm the unthinkable had happened… the glass microphone had broken. The singer captioned the video, which saw him show the trophy in two pieces, 'Everyone: Nemo broke their trophy, you better be careful with it.' JJ used the viral Surprise Surprise audio, which hears Cilla Black singing the theme tune to her famed British reality show of the same name. @johannesjjpietsch guys, my suitcase came back broken 😭 therefore everything inside my suitcase was broken too… dw we're getting it fixed 😝 #eurovision #wastedlove #trophy ♬ Surprise Surprise – I Green Screen Things Sharing further context, JJ said: 'Guys, my suitcase came back broken therefore everything inside my suitcase was broken too… dw [don't worry] we're getting it fixed.' The most generated more than half a million likes with many taking to the comments with many wondering why the trophy was so fragile. One wondered: 'I think this should be a sign for them to make the trophy hold better, it's iconic but breaks easily apparently.' Last year, the Eurovision trophy also broke with celebrations from Nemo getting too carried away as the trophy 'shattered' when they were putting it down. Pic: SPA/dana press/REX/Shutterstock Another made a play on the singers' songs saying Nemo 'broke the trophy,' while JJ 'wasted' it — Nemo won with their song Broke The Code last year. Two-time Irish Eurovision representatives Jedward added: 'It's a tradition now.' Last year, the Eurovision trophy also broke with celebrations from Nemo getting too carried away as the trophy 'shattered' when they were putting it down. The artist even sustained cuts to the thumb following the break, which happened directly after they were crowned Eurovision 2024 winners. It's not the first (or second) time a Eurovision trophy has broke — and likely won't be the last either! Other unfortunate winners include, but are not limited to, Netherlands' Duncan Laurence, the 2019 winner as well as Norway's Alexander Rybak, who won in 2009.
