Ahead of the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest, changes have been made to the EBU’s Reference Group for the show.
Western Europe dominates Reference Group
The Reference Group for the Eurovision Song Contest covers large amounts of what happens behind the scenes of the show. It is the Reference Group who is responsible for the direction of the Contest, as well as funding and promotion of the show.
On top of this, the Reference Group is among the main representatives for the EBU with host broadcasters, overseeing their gradual preparations for the Contest. In total, the group meets four to five times a year to bring proposals from participating broadcasters. According to the EBU, the aim of the group is to make decisions in the general interest of the Contest.
Earlier this month, it was announced SRG SSR’s Bakel Walden will join the Reference Group, stepping down from his domestic role. This is now confirmed, with Walden now serving as the Chairperson for the group. The full list of Reference Group members for Eurovision 2025 is as follows:
| Reference Group member | Home Broadcaster |
| Bakel Walden (Chairperson) | SRG SSR (Switzerland) |
| Ebba Adielsson | SVT (Sweden) |
| Rachel Ashdown | BBC (United Kingdom) |
| Felix Bergsson | RÚV (Iceland) |
| Ana Maria Bordas | RTVE (Spain) |
| Carla Bugalho | RTP (Portugal) |
| Moritz Stadler | SRG SSR (Switzerland) |
| Tomislav Štengl | HRT (Croatia) |
| Alexandra Wolfslast | NDR (Germany) |
| Martin Österdahl | EBU |
In total, one new member has joined the group, whilst two members have left. Moritz Stadler has joined the group. However, it comes as Claudio Fasulo and Simona Martorelli, both representing Italian broadcaster RAI, leave. As a result, nine of the ten members of the Reference Group are from broadcasters considered to be in Western Europe.
All About Eurovision 2025
Switzerland will be hosting the 69th edition of the competition following Nemo’s historic win at Eurovision 2024 in Malmö. A few weeks after their win, Reto Peritz, and Moritz Stadler, was announced as the Executive Producers, with the other roles revealed in July 2024.
Basel, Bern & Biel/Bienne, Geneva, and Zürich submitted bids to host next year’s competition, with Basel and Geneva being shortlisted as the final two cities. After the shortlist, it was revealed that Basel will host Eurovision 2025, at St. Jakobshalle with the shows taking place on May 13, 15 and 17.
What do you think of the changes to the Reference Group? Do you think they will make any new reforms to the Contest? Do you have any suggestions to what they could discuss? As always, please let us know what you think by getting involved in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Threads and Bluesky for more information about Eurovision 2025!
News Source: EBU
Photo Credit: EBU
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