European Broadcasting Union
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU; French: Union européenne de radio-télévision, UER) is an alliance of public service media organisations whose countries are within the European Broadcasting Area or who are members of the Council of Europe. As of 2022, it is made up of 112 member organisations from 54 countries, and 30 associate members from a further 19 countries. It was established in 1950, and has its administrative headquarters in Geneva.
Union européenne de radio-télévision | |
Logo used since 2012 | |
Countries with one or more members are in dark blue. Associated members in light blue. | |
Predecessor | International Broadcasting Union |
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Formation | 12 February 1950 |
Type | Union of broadcasting organisations |
Headquarters | Geneva, Switzerland |
Membership |
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Official language | English, French |
President | Delphine Ernotte |
Director-General | Noel Curran |
Website | ebu |
The EBU owns and operates the Eurovision and Euroradio telecommunications networks on which major television and radio broadcasts are distributed live to its members. It also operates the daily Eurovision news exchange in which members share breaking news footage. In 2017, the EBU launched the Eurovision Social Newswire, an eyewitness and video verification service. Led by Head of Social Newsgathering, Derek Bowler, the service provides members of the EBU with verified and cleared-for-use newsworthy eyewitness media emerging on social media.
The EBU, in co-operation with its members, produces programmes and organises events in which its members can participate, such as the Eurovision Song Contest, its best known production, or the Eurovision Debates between candidates for president of the European Commission for the 2014 and 2019 parliamentary elections. The Director-General is Noel Curran since 2017.