Clemens Pig elected as ORF’s new General Director

The ORF Foundation Council voted in a 15‑hour marathon session to appoint APA chief Clemens Pig as the next General Director of Austria’s public broadcaster. He received 21 of 35 votes and will take office on 1 January 2027, succeeding interim head Ingrid Thurnher.

Pig, a 51‑year‑old Tiroler, pledged to address the “financing crisis,” accelerate digital transformation and rebuild audience trust. He said, “I am thrilled to take on this task… the challenges are great, varied and at the same time,” and promised a new organisational structure with separate directorates for finance, technology, programming and audience platforms. Political parties of the ruling coalition (ÖVP and SPÖ) backed his candidacy, and the election was the first to be conducted under the European Media Freedom Act.

Key challenges highlighted by politicians include cutting costs, modernising the service for younger audiences and ensuring editorial independence.