Christine Marchal-Ortiz | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1963-09-01)1 September 1963 (age 62) |
| Alma mater | Boston University |
| Occupation | Television executive |
| Executive supervisor of theEurovision Song Contest | |
| In office 4 September 1995 – 27 November 2002 | |
| Preceded by | Christian Clausen |
| Succeeded by | Sarah Yuen (acting) |
Christine Marchal-Ortiz (born 1 September 1963) is a French television executive who served as the European Broadcasting Union's Executive Supervisor of theEurovision Song Contest for six contests between1996 and2002.[1][2]
During her tenure, she oversaw significant changes to the contest's rules and presentation, including the introduction of televoting, the discontinuation of the live orchestra, relaxation of language rules, and early steps in official marketing such as the launch of the official CD.[3][4][5][6][7][8]
Marchal-Ortiz studied for a Master of Business Administration at theNEOMA Business School inRouen from 1983, before specialising in a Master of Broadcast Management atBoston University until 1989.[9][non-primary source needed]
Originally from France, Marchal-Ortiz worked forTF1, joining in 1989, initially as a researcher before rising to their mission manager.[3] In September 1995, she was appointed the EBU's Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Sonng Contest (also referred to on-air as the contest "scrutineer").[3][10] Marchal-Ortiz duties included the day-to-day supervision of the live event and liaising with host broadcasters as well as the long-term development of the contest's rules and format.[3]
Marchal-Ortiz first oversaw the contest in1996 in Oslo, and subsequently in1998 (Birmingham),1999 (Jerusalem),2000 (Stockholm),2001 (Copenhagen) and2002 (Tallinn).[1][2] While she did also oversee the1997 contest in Dublin, she did not appear on-air that night, with the live broadcast creditingMarie-Claire Vionnet as scrutineer, deputising for Marchal-Ortiz.[11][12][13][14]
Key developments implemented or advanced during her period included the piloting and rolling out televoting;[3][5][6] ending the use of the live orchestra at the contest;[3][7] relaxation of the language rule;[3][4] early steps in contest marketing, including the launch of the official compilation CD.[3][8]
At her first contest, in1996, Marchal-Ortiz was confronted with a record number of would-be participants which led her to trial an unprecedented audio-only pre-qualifying round before the contest in Oslo. Of 30 submitted entries, seven were eliminated, including Germany's "Planet of Blue", before the televised final, with only 23 advancing. The elimination provoked notable backlash in Germany, leading to the only time the nation did not appear in a Grand Final, and as a result, viewing figures in the country reduced ten-fold.[15][16]
In the years after, Marchal-Ortiz signalled a rethink, agreeing to change the qualification approach for the following year so that major TV markets would not be excluded again.[17] From1997 the contest reverted to a relegation-based cap on participants (rather than a universal pre-qualifier). As pressure on capacity persisted, an exemption from relegation was next created for the four largest contributing EBU members, France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom, granting them automatic participation. This “Big Four” status took effect for the2000 contest (the exemption was introduced the previous year), and later became the “Big Five” on Italy's return in 2011.[18][19][20]
In 2002, she decided to step down from her role to spend more time with her family.[3] However, one of her most significant contributions to contest came shortly after she left the role, when on 29 January 2003, her successor,Sarah Yuen announced that from 2004, the contest would adopt a two-night format with a newly created Semi-Final feeding into the Grand Final, ending relegation and allowing all active members to enter annually.[21][22]
Christine Marchal-Ortiz supervised the contest on behalf of the EBU for the fourth time.
Christine Marchal-Ortiz supervised the contest ... for the sixth and last time.
1996 and 1998–2002: Christine Marchal-Ortiz; 1997: Marie-Claire Vionnet (acting).
Christine Marchal-Ortiz did the job from 1996 until 2002, with the exception of 1997, when Marie-Claire Vionet took over.
End credits list Christine Marchal-Ortiz as Executive Supervisor.
End credits list Christine Marchal-Ortiz as Executive Supervisor.
Following Germany's elimination in 1996 ... it was decided that the four—since 2011 five—largest contributors would be granted direct entry every year from 1999.
The "Big Five" … automatically qualify for the final.