Latest news with #Österdahl
The Journal
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- 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
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- 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.
South Wales Guardian
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Eurovision Song Contest's Martin Österdahl to step down
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) confirmed the news following Österdahl's five years of overseeing and transforming the world's largest music event. 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 modernize 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. '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.' 📡 BREAKING: Martin Österdahl will step down as #Eurovision Executive Supervisor. The EBU reports that "further announcements regarding the future structure of the Eurovision Song Contest team will be made in due course." The EBU said Österdahl was 'appointed in 2020' and 'managed a period of remarkable innovation and resilience in the Contest's history". "This included the staging of the Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam during the global COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, the unprecedented hosting of the 2023 Contest by the BBC in Liverpool on behalf of 2022's winning broadcaster, Ukraine's Suspilne, and this year's record-breaking edition hosted by SRG SSR in Basel." He was the Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) for five years in Rotterdam, Turin, Liverpool, Malmö and Basel. He had the same role for Junior Eurovision Song Contests (JESC) in Warsaw, Paris, Yerevan, Nice and Madrid. Recommended reading: Emmerdale fans hopeful for star's big return after hint shared on social media BBC iPlayer to stop working on select TV boxes from next month - is yours one? EastEnders star Gillian Taylforth reveals cast member she shares 'close bond' with Martin Green CBE, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, commented: '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.' The EBU said: 'Further announcements regarding the future structure of the Eurovision Song Contest team will be made in due course.'
Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Eurovision makes huge rule change after red-faced boss faced hostile boos
As the Eurovision Song Contest week kicks off in Basel, Switzerland, before the grand finale on Saturday, the rules for verifying the results have changed The Eurovision Song Contest has made a major rule change just days before the contest's grand finale on Saturday. A whole host of starry-eyed hopefuls, including the UK's Remember Monday, are hoping to be declared champions in Basel in Switzerland in one of most hotly contested competitions to date. Usually, when the results are in, Eurovision boss Martin Österdahl and members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) verify the votes live from the judging room in view of the audience. However, after a cacophony of boos last year when Österdahl appeared on screen, the process will now be carried out backstage - which according to a spokesperson for Eurovision - 'frees up more seats inside the arena so more people can see the live shows'. During the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, Österdahl was subject to significant booing following the controversies that had emerged during the contest, including backlash over the decision to disqualify Dutch representative Joost Klein earlier that day. The decision by the EBU to axe Klein resulted in Dutch Eurovision broadcaster AVROTROS branding the punishment as "disproportionate" and several fans were upset he was given his marching orders while Israel's Eden Golan was allowed to participate. When Eurovision presenter Malin Akerman headed to the EBU boss ahead of revealing the finale's results, the crowd broke into a blanket of almost deafening boos. Taking to X, as this year's contest gets underway, broadcaster, Scotty Bryan, updated fans on the rule change today, sharing a snap of the EBU team from backstage, writing: "Following boos at last year's contest, it appears Martin Österdahl and the EBU team now verify the results from backstage, rather than in the room itself." He added: "Martin's Eurovision catchphrase 'you're good to go' is now said by the presenters." When contacted by the Mirror, a spokesperson for the Eurovision Song Contest said the change was to maximise the number of fans who can see the live shows, explaining: "The Scrutineer's Desk is located outside the arena to make more seats available inside and maximize the number of fans who can see the shows." Commenting on the rule change, one fan teased the new backstage set-up "looked like the VAR room in Geneva", referencing the Video Assistant Referee process where a team of officials, usually in football, review decisions made by the main referee using video footage. Meanwhile, another accused Österdahl of being a "coward" who "didn't want to face any more booing". As the Eurovision Song Contest week kicks off, Basel could become a hotspot for protests due to Israel's participation, which continues to spark outrage amidst the ongoing Gaza conflict. The city is set to host the 2025 contest following Switzerland's Nemo's victory last May in Sweden with their song 'The Code'. Around 1,300 Swiss police officers are expected to be on duty in Basel this week, bolstered by additional forces from the Swiss Armed Forces, federal police and neighbouring countries – Germany and France. This comes ahead of the semi-finals on Thursday, and the grand final on Saturday at which UK act, Remember Monday will be going for gold. Adrian Plachesi, head of communications for Basel police, told PA news agency that they are aware such events could pose an "increased risk of terror attacks" from extremists. They are also keeping an eye out for potential "cyber attacks" on the city's infrastructure.
