The board of German public broadcaster ZDF has elected programme director Dr Norbert Himmler as the broadcaster’s future general director.
Of the 60 board members present, 57 voted for Himmler. The second candidate, Tina Hassel, quit the election after two ballots had been held.
The chair of the board, Marlehn Thieme, welcomed the clear vote for Himmler. “I am delighted that we are entrusting an accomplished programme maker and outstanding manager with the leadership of ZDF,” she said immediately after the election. “We know Norbert Himmler very well from the consultations of the board and particularly value his strategic expertise, especially in the digital development of ZDF.”
Himmler will succeed current general director Dr Thomas Bellut on March 15, 2022. The 66-year-old had announced at the beginning of March 2021 that he would not be available for a third term.
