Former RTÉ Exec Noel Curran Appointed EBU Director General

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has tapped Noel Curran, who will join from Ireland’s RTÉ, as its new director general.

Curran is the former director general, managing director of television and editor of current affairs at RTÉ. He is expected to take up the position at the EBU at the beginning of September. Curran replaces Ingrid Deltenre, who has led the EBU since 2010 and decided to step down this year to focus her attention on her board responsibilities.

“We are delighted to welcome Noel Curran as the new director general of the EBU,” said Jean-Paul Philippot, the president of the EBU. “Noel was the candidate of choice in what was an extremely strong list of candidates. He impressed us with his sound public service values, his operational experience and his understanding of the public service media ecosystem within today’s rapidly evolving media environment. His leadership experience as director general of RTÉ will be invaluable as the EBU moves towards the next chapter in its history. I am confident he will do a very good job for the EBU, for all our members, and for public service media.”

Curran said, “There is now, more than ever, a compelling case for what public service media does, and what the Members of the European Broadcasting Union do, day in, day out. The EBU represents some of the finest media organizations, content makers and journalists in the world. The position of DG is a huge honor, and I will work with the membership to seize every opportunity and to move ahead with the changes necessary to secure the future of public service media. I look forward to working with Jean-Paul, with the EBU team and with our members, from all regions in the EBU, to serve our audiences’ needs.”