Delphine Ernotte, the number one at France Télévisions, was re-elected on Thursday June 25 for a fourth term as president of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the largest alliance of public service media in the world, known for organizing the famous Eurovision song contest.
The CEO of France Télévisions was re-elected by an absolute majority, like her vice-president Cilla Benkö, director general of Swedish Radio (SR), during the 96th General Assembly of the EBU which was held on Thursday in Prague.
“It is an honor for me to take on a new mandate as President of the EBU, at a time when PSM (public service media, editor’s note) are seriously threatened and when our Union and our solidarity are more precious than ever, for each of us,” responded Delphine Ernotte, quoted in an EBU press release.
“Faced with geopolitical instability, Europe’s very sovereignty and its ability to protect its population have become an absolute priority for decision-makers. In a constantly changing world, it is our duty to come together and cultivate a strong vision of cohesion,” she added.
115 organizations in 57 countries
The new two-year mandate entrusted to Delphine Ernotte, who has held these functions since 2021, covers the period 2027-2028. She has been at the head of France Télévisions since 2015.
Furthermore, the Canadian public channel CBC/Radio-Canada became a “full member” of the EBU on Thursday, following a vote at the General Assembly, although it had been simply “affiliated” since 1950, the organization indicated in another press release. This vote followed a revision of the EBU statutes, also approved on Thursday.
Broadcasting organizations from countries located in the European Broadcasting Area, as defined by the International Telecommunications Union, or which are members of the Council of Europe, including for example countries such as Turkey, Israel or Azerbaijan, could be members of the EBU.
The new rules now offer “the possibility for broadcasting organizations from non-European states, whose public service media system meets the basic standards of the Council of Europe and which have official observer status with the Council of Europe, to become members of the EBU”, she explained.
EBU Members now represent 115 organizations in 57 countries, including the BBC, Deutsche Welle, France Médias Monde and Vatican Radio.
