Martin Österdahl will step down as Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) and Junior Eurovision Song Contest (JESC) later this summer, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) confirmed this friday. His departure marks the end of a five-year tenure that saw the contest evolve through a period of major transformation and global challenges.
Appointed in 2020, Martin Österdahl guided the Eurovision Song Contest through the covid-19 pandemic, including the staging of the 2021 edition in Rotterdam under strict health restrictions. EBU also notes that he oversaw the unprecedented 2023 contest hosted in Liverpool by the BBC on behalf of Ukraine, and this year’s "record-breaking" show in Basel.
The EBU highlights that, under his leadership, efforts were made to modernise the contest and expand its digital and international reach. These included the introduction of a permanent slogan 'United By Music' as well as new sponsorships and partnerships.
In a statement shared by the EBU, 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. [...] It has been the honour of my professional life to steer the world’s largest music event.”
Martin Green, director of the Eurovision Song Contest since 2024, will take on the Executive Supervisor’s duties on an interim basis. The EBU stated that further announcements about the future structure of the Eurovision team will follow in due course.
