After five years in the position, the EBU has announced that ESC and JESC Executive Supervisor Martin Österdahl will step down from the job this summer. ESC Director Martin Green will take on the Supervisor’s duties on an interim basis.
Five complicated years at the helm
Martin Österdahl was the executive producer of Eurovision 2013 and 2016, and was later appointed to replace Jon Ola Sand after the 2020 contest. The nomination was not postponed despite the contest’s cancellation, meaning Österdahl’s first contests at the helm were the Covid-impacted of Junior 2020 in Poland, and Eurovision 2021 in Rotterdam.
During his five years at the helm, no edition was “ordinary”: Belarus and Russia were expelled in 2021 and 2022 respectively (with the Russian invasion of Ukraine having a strong impact on the 2022 contest), the 2022 contest saw a jury voting scandal, the 2023 edition was the first ever to be co-hosted by two broadcasters, while the 2024 and 2025 contests were overshadowed in public discourse by the presence of Israel, and were followed by strong, public criticisms of the organisation from national broadcasters, with 2024 being the first edition to see a country disqualified during Eurovision week.
After the 2024 edition, an independent review of the contest was performed. Following some of its recommendations, the EBU created a new position of ESC Director, which was eventually taken by Martin Green. The new position, technically above that of Executive Supervisor, also took some of its roles away, especially in terms of branding and commercial responsabilities, allowing Österdahl to focus on production, technical work, and relations with delegations and the host broadcaster.
As a result, Österdahl was barely visible during the 2025 contest. After being audibly booed during the 2024 final, due to fans associating him with Joost Klein’s disqualification a few hours earlier, he did not even speak during live shows of the 2025 edition, simply gesturing that the votes were all taken into account. Press conferences were held by Martin Green, who took on a much more public role.
A legacy for the ESC brand
Despite the criticism that some sections of the fan community may have towards Österdahl, his years at the helm of the contest were also very successful years in terms of commercial and brand impact. More and more young people have been interacting with the contest on social media, long-term sponsorships are meant to help the organisation financially, and more generally, the contest is a recognised, strong brand that reaches hundreds of millions of people across the globe, as he explained in his parting words.
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, demonstrating the resilience and spirit at the heart of our community. I am immensely proud of the changes we made to modernize and strengthen the Eurovision Song Contest. These include establishing the permanent ‘United By Music’ slogan for the event, attracting long-term sponsors and brand-extension partnerships, and growing engagement and reach on our digital platforms that have brought millions of new fans to the Contest.
Martin Österdahl ON HIS EXPERIENCE WITH eUROVISION
The ESC is now an event where hundreds of thousands sign up to buy tickets, a show watched by hundreds of millions, connecting with youth audiences worldwide, and stands as a unique platform for overnight global success for artists and songwriters.
As my overall involvement with the ESC is now approaching a period of twenty years in total, it has been the honour of my professional life to steer the world’s largest music event, developing the Contest as a global super brand that brings joy to more people than ever before.
I am deeply grateful to the entire ESC community and particularly to the ESC Core Team, participating broadcasters, artists, and fans for their passion and support.
Martin Green also commented on Österdahl’s departure.
On behalf of everyone at the EBU, all our participating broadcasters, partners and the entire Eurovision Song Contest community, I extend my sincere thanks to Martin Österdahl for his vision, expertise and tireless commitment to the event. His steady leadership through some of the Contest’s most challenging and innovative years has set new standards of excellence. As we approach our 70th anniversary next year, Martin is leaving his role having played an integral part in growing the Eurovision Song Contest brand and ensuring its bright future. We thank him for his amazing work and lasting impact on the Song Contest, and wish him every success.
Martin GREEN, on Martin Österdahl’s stepping down
It is not yet known where Österdahl’s career will lead him. As for the position of Executive Supervisor, it will be held on an interim basis by Martin Green. The official press release does not mention a successor, but states that “further announcements regarding the future structure of the Eurovision Song Contest team will be made in due course.” This could mean the position of Executive Supervisor may be scrapped, or at least see its responsabilities changed.
How do you feel about Österdahl’s stepping down? Did you expect it so early? Assuming the position is kept as it is, who would you see as a replacement? Tell us more in the comments below, or on social media at @escxtra!
