New boss at Eurovision appointed

It’s like the white smoke going up at the Vatican…

Martin Österdahl has been appointed Executive Supervisor for the Eurovision Song Contest and Junior Eurovision Song Contest, taking over from Jon Ola Sand, who is stepping down after the Rotterdam event next May.

Österdahl was Executive Producer for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2013 in Malmö and Stockholm 2016 and was a member of the ESC Reference Group between 2012 and 2018.

He was previously Programme Director and Commissioner of Entertainment & Sport at SVT and has extensive international experience in the music and media industries having also worked in the UK, Russia, the USA, Germany, the Netherlands and Norway.

”The Eurovision Song Contest is the world’s largest live music event and the longest running show on television. Its ability to entertain and unite people across Europe and beyond is unique and something that should never be taken for granted. I feel greatly honoured to be given the opportunity to strive for its continued evolvement and popularity into the future,” said Österdahl.

“I’m looking forward to joining the team in Geneva in May and can’t wait to get started,” he added.

“Martin is the perfect candidate to continue and build on the exceptional work done by Jon Ola Sand over the past decade,” said EBU Director of Media Jean Philip De Tender.

“The Eurovision Song Contest has been transformed under Jon Ola’s guidance, setting new standards in world class television production. Martin is a great creative talent and has invaluable experience from his work as Executive Producer of two exceptional Contests and numerous other successful entertainment shows. He is an excellent leader and storyteller, which is core for us to work closely with EBU Members to develop and grow the world’s largest live music event in the next decade and beyond.”

Jon Ola Sand added: “I’ve been working alongside Martin Österdahl for many years. First at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2013 and then again in 2016 but also in the ESC Reference Group where Martin was a valued member for 7 years. I’m confident that the future of the Eurovision Song Contest is in very capable hands and that Martin is the right person to take this incredible show to the next level.”

Jon Ola Sand will return to his native Norway to begin a new role at the head office of NRK.