Clemens Pig appointed as new ORF General Director

The ORF Foundation Council has selected Clemens Pig as the broadcaster’s new General Director after a multi‑stage hiring process. Seventy‑five applications were received, thirteen met the formal criteria and nine candidates were invited to a hearing where each presented a 20‑minute concept followed by a Q&A. Pig secured the most votes and announced his appointment, noting his enthusiasm to work with the ORF team.

Pig, who was born in Innsbruck in 1974 and previously led the media monitoring agency APA, inherits a broadcaster facing a budget shortfall of over €90 million and declining advertising revenue to U.S. and Chinese platforms. He has indicated a focus on gender parity for the four main directorates and the nine regional directorates, aiming to increase the representation of women at senior levels. The new leadership team will be chosen in a single vote on 21 July, with candidates being considered for technology, finance, programming and other key areas.

The appointment comes amid broader discussions about the ORF’s future, including a planned “future convention” by Vice‑Chancellor Andreas Babler and a parliamentary audit of the broadcaster’s finances.