Michael Krön Steps Into Eurovision’s Inner Circle — Austria Gets Its Man at the Table
If Eurovision had a VIP lounge (with sequins on the walls and free prosecco on tap), Michael Krön just got his laminated pass. The Executive Producer for Eurovision 2026 will now be sitting in the Reference Group — the mysterious yet crucial committee that quietly decides how the world’s campest TV show actually works.
Who is Michael Krön and why should you care?
Krön isn’t just another television boss in a good suit. As Chief Producer at ORF, he’s the man steering Austria’s hosting duties for the 70th edition of Eurovision next year. Think of him as part wedding planner, part peace negotiator, and part showbiz ringmaster — making sure that by the time Eurovision hits Austria, everything from the pyro budget to the interval act’s hair extensions is perfectly timed.
The Reference Group: Eurovision’s version of the Avengers
The Reference Group is basically Eurovision’s brain trust. It’s where broadcasters from across Europe sit down, drink industrial-strength coffee, and decide things like:
- How the contest will look and feel next year
- How to keep the brand fresh without alienating die-hard fans who still miss the orchestra
- How to fund the whole glitter-covered circus
Krön will be joining names like Anna Maria Bordas from Spain’s RTVE (the group’s chair), Ebba Adielsson (Sweden 2024’s host), Moritz Stadler (Switzerland 2025’s man in charge), and a chorus of other national TV masterminds from the Netherlands, Croatia, Armenia, Portugal, and Denmark.
Why it matters for Eurovision 2026
Having Austria’s top producer inside the decision-making room means next year’s contest won’t just be hosted in Austria — it will be shaped by Austria. From staging choices to voting tweaks, Krön will have a say in how Eurovision’s diamond-anniversary edition looks, sounds, and (let’s be honest) drips in glitter.
It also means that while fans are busy guessing which Austrian city will host (Vienna? Innsbruck? ), the man who actually knows the plan is already in the meetings making it happen.
The road to Austria 2026
The Reference Group meets four or five times a year — just enough for everyone to disagree, regroup, and then agree again. Their aim is simple: keep Eurovision at the top of its game, balance tradition with spectacle, and make sure 200 million people have a reason to tune in every May.
As for Krön? He now has a seat at one of the most important tables in European television. Let’s just hope they don’t make him wear the 1970s ABBA jumpsuit for his first meeting. (Although… that would be very on brand.)
Source: EBU
