Commentary Box
The voice of Austria connecting viewers to the contest since 1970.
The Commentary Box serves as the critical link between the Eurovision Song Contest spectacle and the Austrian audience. While the source does not describe the physical architecture or elevation of this space, it details the specific individuals who have occupied it and their roles in narrating the event for ORF. For nearly three decades, from 1970 to 1998, radio journalist and actor Ernst Grissemann provided the voice of Austria for every contest except 1979 and 1990. In a unique twist that highlights the adaptability required in this role, Grissemann admitted he often attended only the dress rehearsal before broadcasting live from ORF studios rather than the arena itself. Following his departure in 1998, Andi Knoll took over the duties.
- Primary Commentator (1970-1998)
- Ernst Grissemann
- Commentator since 1998
- Andi Knoll
- Years without Austrian commentary due to
- 2010
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Ernst Grissemann's tenure defined a unique era of Austrian commentary that blended professional broadcasting with personal improvisation. Between 1970 and 1998, he was the constant voice for Austrians watching the contest, missing only the 1979 and 1990 editions. His approach was unconventional; in 1995, he confessed to future German commentator Peter Urban that he frequently skipped the live event at the arena, attending solely the dress rehearsal before providing commentary from the safety of the ORF studios. This method allowed him to craft his narrative without the immediate pressure of the live broadcast environment. When Grissemann stepped down in 1998, Andi Knoll succeeded him, continuing the tradition of Austrian narration.
In Their Own Story
The continuity of Austrian commentary faced a break during absences from the contest itself. While ORF refused to send performers in 2008 and 2009 due to poor results and concerns over political voting, they maintained their broadcasting presence. In both years, the final was shown on ORF, ensuring Austrians could still hear the commentary even without a national entry. However, this streak ended in 2010 when Austria not only boycotted the contest but also chose not to broadcast it at all, marking the first time since the source's timeline began that the Austrian public missed the final entirely.
Reader's Guide
For viewers tuning into Eurovision via ORF, understanding who is speaking provides context to the history of the broadcast. From 1970 until 1998, listeners heard Ernst Grissemann, whose commentary was often prepared from studio recordings based on dress rehearsals rather than live arena observation. Since 1998, Andi Knoll has been the designated commentator. It is also worth noting that ORF's broadcasting policy has shifted with their participation status; while they broadcasted finals during years of non-participation like 2008 and 2009, the decision was made to stop showing the contest entirely in 2010.
Did You Know?
- Ernst Grissemann commented on every contest between 1970 and 1998 except for the years 1979 and 1990.
- Grissemann admitted to Peter Urban in 1995 that he often provided live commentary from ORF studios after attending only the dress rehearsal.
- Andi Knoll replaced Ernst Grissemann as the Austrian commentator starting with the 1998 contest.
- ORF broadcast the Eurovision final in 2008 and 2009 despite Austria not participating, but stopped broadcasting entirely in 2010.
More in Countries & Delegations
Related in Eurovision
Links follow this subject's own source article.