Martin Österdahl steps down as Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest

He’s good to go. Martin Österdahl is stepping down as Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest.

He has been in the position for five years after originally being appointed in 2020.

His tenure in the role was beset by a number of challenges, including hosting Eurovision during the COVID-19 pandemic.

More recently, Österdahl came under pressure following the decision to disqualify Dutch representative Joost Klein over a backstage incident in 2024, and the ongoing protests over Israel’s participation — both of which resulted in him being booed by the live audience in Malmö last year.

Martin Green, the current Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, will take on the Executive Supervisor duties for the time being. But a re-structuring of the management team has been hinted, with more news to follow later.

Martin Österdahl steps down as Eurovision Executive Supervisor

Below is the press release of the announcement.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has announced that Martin Österdahl will be stepping down from his role as Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) and Junior Eurovision Song Contest (JESC), following five years of overseeing and transforming the world’s largest music event. 
 
Appointed in 2020, Martin Österdahl has managed a period of remarkable innovation and resilience in the Contest’s history, including the staging of the Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam during the global COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, the unprecedented hosting of the 2023 Contest by the BBC in Liverpool on behalf of 2022’s winning broadcaster, Ukraine’s Suspilne, and this year’s record-breaking edition hosted by SRG SSR in Basel. 
 
Under his leadership, the Eurovision Song Contest has implemented changes to modernize the Contest and extend its reach – including advancing digital engagement and deepening its commitment to inclusivity and creativity across Europe and beyond – ensuring the event has continued to grow in popularity and relevance. 

Prior to his appointment as ESC Executive Supervisor, Martin Österdahl, was twice the Executive Producer of the Eurovision Song Contest (2013, 2016) and a member of the ESC Reference Group for seven years.
 
Reflecting on his role as Executive Supervisor for five ESCs in Rotterdam, Turin, Liverpool, Malmö and Basel, and JESCs in Warsaw, Paris, Yerevan, Nice and Madrid, Martin Österdahl said: 
 
“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. 

“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 CBE, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, commented: 

“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 CBE, who was appointed Director of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2024, will assume the Executive Supervisor’s duties on an interim basis. 

Further announcements regarding the future structure of the Eurovision Song Contest team will be made in due course.