The list is getting longer

Battle for ORF leadership: Candidate list grows

Search for a new ORF chief: Interested candidates have until May 28 to submit their applications. (File photo)(Bild: APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH)

In the race for the position of the new ORF Director General, the list of candidates has gained a prominent name since early Friday morning. “Media diversity in Austria is under threat,” warns Puls4 founder Markus Breitenecker in his official application video.

Markus Breitenecker, the 57-year-old media executive and former head of the private broadcaster group ProSiebenSat.1Puls4, announced his candidacy in a three-minute video.

As recently as Thursday, Breitenecker had stated  at the media summit in Seefeld  that he “no longer ruled out” applying for the position of ORF Director General.

Breitenecker posted his application on his LinkedIn profile:

“For a confident and strong ORF”
In his video message, Breitenecker advocates for a “confident and strong ORF that carries us through these times.” At the same time, he recognizes the need for action: “The ORF is in the midst of a veritable crisis. Not least, the events of recent weeks have shifted the focus away from what matters most: fulfilling the public service mandate for the Austrian audience.”

According to him, the country faces enormous economic challenges, “media diversity in Austria is under threat—and with it, the foundation of our democratic coexistence.”

Cooperation instead of competition: I am convinced that this also lays the foundation for a new, forward-looking self-image for ORF.

Markus Breitenecker in seiner Videobotschaft

More than 30 years of TV experience
He therefore wants to “contribute all my experience and make my knowledge available to ORF: more than 30 years of TV experience, the leadership of a major media company with thousands of employees, and the implementation of the digital streaming transformation.”

Markus Breitenecker(Bild: Christof Birbaumer)

More than 30 years of professional experience
Most recently, the law graduate served on the Executive Board of ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE, which employs around 7,000 people. In his role as COO, he was responsible for streaming and digital strategy, tech and AI, sales, marketing, and media policy, as well as operations in Austria and Switzerland.

However, in 2025, following the acquisition of the Italian media group MFE by the Berlusconi family—which replaced the top management—he left the company “by mutual agreement,” as it was stated. His position was not filled at the executive board level.

About the Person

• Markus Breitenecker, born on November 28, 1968, in Vienna, holds a law degree. 
• As early as the 1990s, he was entrusted for the first time with the management of a television station: Rudi Klausnitzer’s weather channel. He did not stay there long, however, joining the management of Kabel 1 in 1997. Breitenecker worked on an Austrian advertising window for ProSieben—and later also on one for the channel’s programming.
• With the founding of ProSieben Austria in 1998, the now 57-year-old took off there as managing director. Under his leadership, the Austrian stations Puls 4 (formerly: Puls TV), ATV, ATV2, and Puls 24 joined the ProSiebenSat.1 Group, which has been known as ProSiebenSat.1Puls4 for many years now.
• In 2017, he moved into the streaming business and founded the platform Zappn, which has since been rebranded as Joyn and is operated by the private broadcaster group as a hub for 150 live channels and 70 media libraries—including ORF and ServusTV.
• In 2024, Breitenecker stepped down as managing director of ProSiebenSat.1Puls4 and moved to Germany to join the parent company ProSiebenSat.1Media SE, where he took on the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Entertainment division on the Group Executive Board.
• In 2025, however, he left the company following the acquisition of the Italian media group MFE by the Berlusconi family, which replaced the top management.
• During his career, he was named Media Manager of the Year twice by the industry magazine “Österreichs Journalist:in”: in 2017 and 2013. The rationale for the more recent of the two awards: “Because he blends passion, leadership, vision, and chutzpah in such a way that one even believes he can win the battle against Google & Co.” In the 2010s, he received two Romy Awards for his program concepts for the startup show “2 Minuten 2 Millionen” and “Ninja Warrior Austria.”

Totzauer’s candidacy also confirmed
For a long time, the 57-year-old was one of the most ardent advocates for the interests of the private sector; now Breitenecker wants to get a taste of public broadcasting—specifically from the top of the ORF as General Director. Before him, ORF TV magazine editor-in-chief Lisa Totzauer had already officially entered the race for the top job at the public media organization as a promising candidate. The job posting for the position starting in 2027 was published at the end of April.

Applications accepted until May 28
However, other interested parties still have until May 28 to submit their applications. In Seefeld on Thursday, current ORF Director General Ingrid Thurnher and APA CEO Clemens Pig also spoke at length about the ORF’s situation, though they have not yet declared whether they will apply.