Jon Ola Sand is stepping down after the 2020 contest. Martin Österdahl has been appointed Executive Supervisor for the Eurovision Song Contest and Junior Eurovision Song Contest.
Martin Österdahl was Executive Producer for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2013 and 2016 in Malmö and Stockholm. He also was a member of the Reference Group between 2012 and 2018.
The decision was made by the EBU Director of Media Jean Philip De Tender together with the Chair of the ESC Reference Group, the Contest’s governing board, ZDF’s Dr Frank Dieter Freiling.
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.
Jean Philip De Tender on Martin Österdahl
Martin will begin working on the Eurovision Song Contest at the end of April 2020 and take over the Executive Supervisor role immediately after this year’s Grand Final on 16th of May. He will also oversee the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, which is expected to take place in November. Jon Ola will return to his native Norway to begin a new role at the head office of Norwegian public broadcaster NRK.
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 on Martin Österdahl
