He has been in charge of Dansk Melodi Grand Prix since 2008, and now DR boss Jan Lagermand Lundme can add another Eurovision position to his resume.

According to the DR Grand Prix website, Jan has been offered a seat on the powerful Eurovision Reference Group, which is the executive committee acting on behalf of all the broadcasters in Eurovision. They oversee the running of the contest, protect the brand’s interests and reputation, and decide what fines to dole out when broadcasters behave badly

EBU executive supervisor Jon Ola Sand contacted Lundme and asked whether he would be interested in becoming a member of the prestigious group.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZV_72tHaZm/?taken-by=janlundme

“I almost fell out of my chair in excitement and awe,” the Dane told DR. “And of course I accepted immediately. You don’t have to think about it with such an offer.”

The DR boss, who oversaw the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 in Copenhagen, says that his team’s focus on new media paved the way for his membership to the reference group.

“We were good at involving new media when we were hosts in 2014. No one else has done that to such an extent and I would love to keep working with that.”

But he’s interested in a lot more than new media.

He’s also keen to keep politics out of the contest — an issue made all the more important by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine ahead of Eurovision 2017.

“What is important to me as member of the reference group is to keep Eurovision as free of politics as possible,” he says. “What Eurovision can and must do is provide Europeans with a common experience. It was precisely this sense of community which was the starting point when Eurovision was set up after the Second World War, and it still has to be that way.”

The former Danish X Factor boss stresses that he wants to imbue Eurovision with an ingredient that’s key to X Factor.

“Emotions — and the fact that you as a viewer can feel something is extremely important. I will bring that along to the group just like I will try to secure that the shows will be diverse and get an imprint of the country which is the host.”

What do you think about Jan Lagermand Lundme’s appointment and his vision? Let us know in the comments box below. 

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Women, football and rock'n'roll
Women, football and rock'n'roll
6 years ago

Seems there are not so many women in the “leading roles” when it comes to ESC in EBU. Why so? It should be more of them I think. Passion for music is not an “all male thing”, even if maybe there are more male music lovers than female ones.

EscAU
EscAU
6 years ago

How come Sweden and Denmark always block melfest and dmgp on YouTube and online for Australian users but Norway and Finland are fine? 🙁

Fatima
Fatima
6 years ago

Not more Scandinavians. Yawn.

Ansgar
Ansgar
6 years ago

If he joins, who will leave?

Branko
Branko
6 years ago

Too many nordic people… where is the diversity, building bridges and so on…??? Europe is not only the North of Europe, even in TV entertainment

Maria_M
Maria_M
6 years ago

I don’t understand on how he could be “offered a seat” at the reference group by Jon Ola Sand.
Aren’t all members elected? Why does he get the chance to be “offered a seat” and doesn’t the Serbian , for example, head of delegation get the same invitation? How unfair is this especially with the power the reference group has.

Mattias Sollerman
6 years ago
Reply to  Maria_M

Two members are selected from executive producers of previous host nations. Jan will fill one of those vacant spots.

Maria_M
Maria_M
6 years ago

After Ukraine won they changed the rules. Because before that the rules were that “the executives supervisors of the last two esc will join the reference group”

Dennis
Dennis
6 years ago

He’s probably great, but the reference group could need some diversity. In my opininion the group consists of a lot of people ‘Nordic’ countries (including Germany and the Netherlands). They are probably the best in their line of work, but can’t they find these professionals in other parts of Eurovision?

Women, football and rock'n'roll
Women, football and rock'n'roll
6 years ago
Reply to  Dennis

Yep – ESC is a bit too Nordic-governed these days perhaps. A bigger concern is that “bigger is better” seems to be the idea these days. I think ESC needs to find it’s way back to it’s roots. (which mentioned in this article) As a song festival. A showfactor is nice too, but it takes too much space. It’s in danger of overshadowing the music. I have noticed a lot of people have mentioned the same. ESC today is too much about visuals, too little about music. Which is a shame, as it’s still a great contest – I should… Read more »

Denis
Denis
6 years ago

No, isn’t it called EuroVISION after all? Meaning that the visual is just as important.
Just standing and singing won’t do the trick anymore, that doesn’t interest an audience any-more. It needs the whole package. The whole spectacle aspect of it is what defines Eurovision. The spectacle aspect of it is why it sticks out from other shows

If it was about the songs then the whole contest could have have been to just show the videos and vote on that. But where’s the fun in that? Turn it into an average chart show?

Seb87
Seb87
6 years ago
Reply to  Denis

It is also called SONG contest. That is what is the basis of the event. Without music – no Eurovision

The fun, as you put it, is for many people to hear what the different nations have to come up with musically. Not needed only to be average chart music – on that I agree. But all kinds of music styles.

Many people, both fans of the contest – and viewers generally watch it because of the music. Very logical 🙂

ninasublatti
ninasublatti
6 years ago

Are u kidding me?! IT has been downscaled so much the past couple of years. Way too much! Compare 2017 to 2009 or 2011 pls

Women, football and rock'n'roll
Women, football and rock'n'roll
6 years ago
Reply to  ninasublatti

Or for the better 🙂 I agree it was more OTT in the period 2005-2011 though. Thankfully now it’s more about the music – as it should be. Naturally. But still some way to go.