Today the EBU has revealed the successor to Jon Ola Sand as the Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest, Swedish TV producer and novelist Martin Österdahl. Martin was a member of the ESC Reference Group from 2012 to 2018 and was the executive producer for the song contests in 2013 and 2016 held in Malmö and Stockholm respectively.

Martin Österdahl was selected for the role by Jean Philip De Tender (EBU Director of Media) along with current chair of the Eurovision Song Contest Reference Group; Dr Frank Dieter Freiling who is from German broadcaster ZDF. EBU Director of Media Jean Philip De Tender said in a statement:

“Martin is the perfect candidate to continue and build on the exceptional work done by Jon Ola Sand over the past decade, 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.”

Martin Österdahl has been responsible for producing some of the most iconic moments in Swedish television in the last decade, as well as the aforementioned Eurovision Song Contests, he was also responsible for supervising high profile events such as the Royal Wedding of Crown Princess Victoria in 2010 and the Nobel Prize Ceremony. Martin said on taking on this new role:

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

As well as his past experience in television production Martin is an accomplished novelist with several books released.

Let us know what you think about this appointment and how this may change the Eurovision Song Contest going forwards with the departure of Jon Ola Sand.