Norwegian broadcaster NRK have announced this morning that Olav Viksmo-Slettan will step down as Norway’s commentator for the Eurovision Song Contest, after ten years of commentating. Olav’s first contest was the 2010 contest, held in Oslo.
NRK’s Eurovision producer, Hege Nelvik, will also step down from her role ahead of the 2020 contest. Olav’s successor in the Norwegian commentary box has already been decided, but will not be announced by NRK until April.
Finishing on a “nice and round number”
Talking to NRK, Viksmo-Slettan was thankful of his role in the contest and was happy to end of a decade of commentating.
I’ve been so lucky to do this job for so many years, and found that ten was a nice and round number to round off. Everything has its time. It is important for us, who have been there for a few years, to take a step to the side so that others also get the chance.
– Olav Viksmo-Slettan, former Norwegian commentator (translated from Norwegian)
The Norwegian radio and television reporter, who began his career at Radio Vest, took up the role of commentator in 2010. He took over the role from Synnøve Svabø, who commentated on the 2009 contest in Moscow.
“The voice that has led us through”
Stig Karlsen, project manager for Norway’s Melodi Grand Prix, has commented on the news, talking about how Viksmo-Slettan was Norway’s guide through the biggest party on TV.
He has been the voice that has led us through perhaps the biggest TV party of them all. That with a good balance of respect for each country;s contribution. At the same time, he has pointed out the many obscurities and oddities, which he occasionally showed up in the world’s biggest music show,
– Stig Karlsen, MGP project manager (translated from Norwegian)
This year, Norway will be represented by Ulrikke in Rotterdam. She won the 60th edition of Melodi Grand Prix with “Attention”. But who will be the commentator joining Ulrikke with the NRK team in the Netherlands?
Are you sad to see Olav Viksmo-Slettan leave the Norwegian team? Who do you hope will be his successor?
Let us know in the comments below and on social media @ESCXTRA.