The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced today
the appointment of Stefan Kürten of ZDF and Raina Konstantinova of Radio Bulgaria as part of a major renewal of the Union’s senior management.

Mr Kürten, Controller of Sports Rights at ZDF (Germany’s second national TV channel), will succeed Henri Pérez as Director of Operations. Ms Konstantinova will take over from Thomas Alexanderson as Director of Radio. They will assume their positions in the autumn following the retirement of their predecessors.

The appointments were approved by the EBU’s Administrative Council at a two-day meeting in Geneva ending today. They follow the nomination in March of Jean Stock, currently President of the global francophone channel TV5, to
succeed Jean-Bernard Münch as the Union’s Secretary General (chief executive) this autumn. A new Director of Television is also expected to be nominated in the coming weeks.

‘The EBU is the leading organisation in Europe for the acquisition of sports rights and exchange of news, and it has the most successful network in Europe,’ Mr Kürten said. ‘All three sectors are very competitive, and they
are entering a period of even greater challenges. I am very honoured and excited to be appointed to this post.’

Ms Konstantinova said she looked forward to contributing to the EBU’s work ‘for the benefit of European public radio and its future’. The EBU’s radio activities include the exchange of more than 2,000 concerts every year and
the coordination of broadcasting facilities for news and sporting events.

Mr Kürten, 42, studied international law before embarking on a career at ZDF including the posts of including Head of International Programme Coordination and Controller of Sports Rights. He has chaired the EBU’s Sports Group since 1998. Ms Konstantinova, 53, has been Director of Radio
Bulgaria since 1997 following a career in radio journalism and as a university lecturer. She is a former Vice-Chair of the EBU’s Radio Committee.

The renewal of the EBU’s senior staff is being overseen by Arne Wessberg, the Union’s new president. Director general of YLE, Finland, Mr Wessberg took over in January from Albert Scharf (of Bayerischer Rundfunk, Germany), who had led the Union for 18 years.

Based in Geneva, and with a staff of 300, the EBU serves 69 national broadcasters from 50 countries in and around Europe.

Further information, and photos:

Rida Attarashany, Media Officer
Tel: +41 22 717 20 34
E-mail: press@ebu.ch

David Lewis, Head of Communications
Tel: +41 22 717 20 32
E-mail: press@ebu.ch