Martin Osterdahl, the executive supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest and its junior counterpart, is stepping down after five years in the role, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has announced. His tenure saw the contest hosted in Rotterdam, Turin, Liverpool, Malmö, and Basel, overseeing some of the most significant developments in the show’s recent history. Notably, during last year’s final, Osterdahl was booed by sections of the audience during the vote announcement. Although present at this year’s event, he opted not to speak on air.
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Reflecting on his time with Eurovision, Osterdahl expressed immense pride in his work modernising and strengthening the contest. “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 amid a global pandemic,” he said. He credited his team with introducing lasting changes, including the permanent ‘United By Music’ slogan, establishing long-term brand partnerships, and significantly increasing digital engagement across global audiences.
Osterdahl called it “the honour of my professional life” to oversee what he described as the world’s largest music event. “We’ve developed the contest into a global super-brand, connecting with millions of fans and providing a platform for emerging artists and songwriters to achieve international success overnight,” he stated. The 2021 contest, which he oversaw, was held in Rotterdam following the pandemic-related cancellation of the 2020 edition and was won by Italy’s Måneskin.
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Martin Green, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, will assume executive supervisory duties on an interim basis. He praised Osterdahl’s “vision, expertise and tireless commitment,” noting the Swedish executive had helped steer the event through some of its most challenging and innovative periods. As Eurovision approaches its 70th anniversary next year, the EBU credited Osterdahl for his significant role in shaping its future and expanding its global appeal.
