Home Groups Eurovision Song Contest Reference Group
Expert group

Eurovision Song Contest Reference Group

From left to right: Claudio Fasulo, Deputy Director of RAI Uno, Simona Martorelli (RAI), Felix Bergsson (RÚV), David Tserunyan (AMPTV), Martin Österdahl (EBU), Carla Bugalho (RTP), Yuval Cohen (KAN), Sietse Bakker (NPO), Astrid Dutrenit (NPO), Frank-Dieter Freiling (ZDF)

The Eurovision Song Contest Reference Group is the executive Committee for all Members, its purpose being to control and guide the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC).

The Reference Group is established by the Television Committee and its tasks are :

  • Approving the development and future format of the ESC
  • Securing the financing of the ESC
  • Modernizing the brand and raising awareness of the ESC
  • Overseeing the yearly preparation by the Host Broadcaster

The Reference Group meets four to five times each year on behalf of all Participating Broadcasters, and is required to take decisions in the general interest of the ESC.

The Reference Group is composed of the following members :

  • The Chairperson
  • Three elected members from among the Heads of Delegations
  • Two Executive Producers from previous host countries, as well as the Executive Producer of the current Host Broadcaster
  • Up to two invited members based on competence and experience
  • The EBU Eurovision Song Contest Executive Supervisor

Group members

Chairperson

Frank-Dieter Freiling (ZDF)

Members

Rachel Ashdown (BBC)
Sietse Bakker (NPO)
Felix Bergsson (RÚV)
Carla Bugalho (RTP)
Yuval Cohen (KAN)
Astrid Dutrenit (NPO)
Claudio Fasulo (RAI)
Simona Martorelli (RAI)
David Tserunyan (AMPTV)
Alexandra Wolfslast (NDR)
Martin Österdahl (EBU)

Community events

Group meetings