[powerpress] The Eurovision Song Contest's Reference Group guides the Contest, overseeing its development and format, financing, brand awareness, and, of course, the Contest alongside the host broadcaster and the core team at the EBU. In 2023, Dr Frank-Dieter Freiling retired as Chair after thirteen years, and Bakel Walden was voted to take his place at the head of the Reference Group. With two decades of experience in broadcasting, he is currently the Director of Development and Offering at Swiss EBU Member SSR SRG. The Reference Group is one of the less visible parts of the management of the Song Contest, but one that has a significant say in the course of our Contest. On a recent trip to Malmö, Ewan Spence sat down with Bakel to talk about the role of the Reference Group, his television career, and how he sees Eurovision evolving over the next few years. This interview was recorded in late January, 2024. Ewan Spence and the ESC Insight team bring you the latest news from the world of the Eurovision Song Contest.