The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has appointed a new President and Vice-President who will take office as of 2019.

Last June, the European Broadcasting Union held its annual general assembly in Tirana, Albania where the BBC’s General Director Mr.Tony Hall was elected as the new President of the EBU, he will be taking over the presidency from Mr. Jean Paul Philippot (RTBF) as of 2019. A new Vice-President was also elected during the assembly, Ms. Delphine Ernotte Cunci ( France Televisions) will be replacing Monica Maggioni (RAI) as of next year.

Both Tony Hall and Delphine Ernotte Cunci will be leading the EBU’s Executive Board for a two year term, and will be aiming to enhace and promote public media service across the continent.

Tony Hall has been the BBC’s General Director since 2013. He initially joined the British national broadcaster in 1973 where he worked for 28 years until 2001 when he left the BBC in order to work for Royal Opera House. He returned to the BBC in 2013 when he was appointed general director.

Mr. Tony Hall says:

I am delighted to be elected President of the EBU. It is an organization – both across Europe and globally – with a proud history that has improved broadcasting standards and helped bring forward the adoption of new technologies and innovation.

Public service broadcasting (PSB) has never been more important and it plays a crucial role – not just in providing impartial news – but in producing programmes that reflect the lives and aspirations of the public it serves.

But, in a globalised world, public service broadcasting faces a number of challenges, with changing viewing habits and new ways of consuming news. How PSBs adapt and indeed lead change is something I think we can work on together to the benefit of those we serve.

Ms. Delphine Ernotte Cunci has been the CEO of France Televisions since 2015, and has worked for France Telecom and Orange France before joining the French broadcaster.

Ms. Delphine  Ernotte Cunci says:

I am very happy to join and perpetuate the long and vibrant tradition of cooperation between France Télévisions and all its European colleagues. Beyond defending our independence and our values, reinforcing cooperation and solidarity among our members will be our next challenge.

Faced with the rise of global platforms and the emergence of programs that transcend borders, it is only if we join forces throughout Europe that will we be able to reaffirm our role as media service providers to all audiences.

I am convinced that only a truly collective approach will enable us to meet the challenges ahead and create the conditions for regaining our audiences. Such is the belief that has brought me to defend public service media in France. The same conviction will guide me at a European level for the duration of the mandate entrusted to me by the members of the EBU.

About the EBU

The EBU is based in Geneva, Switzerland and is a global alliance of public service media (PSM). The European Broadcasting Corporation has 73 active members in 56 countries and 34 associate members in 21 countries.

The EBU’s main targe is to secure a sustainable future for public service media, providing its members with world-class content: news, sports and music etc. The EBU also aims building on its founding ethos of solidarity and co-operation to create a centre for learning and sharing.

Mr. Noel Curran is currently the General Director of the EBU. The European Broadcasting Unions is the organizer of the Eurovision Song Contest, an event it has been producing since 1956.