Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR)'s DG Ulrich Wilhelm will take over the post of chairman of ARD from MDR's chief Karola Wille from 2018. Wille will become deputy chair. The change is part of the two-year cycle during which one of the directors of the ARD members takes over the chairmanship. BR last had the opportunity to head ARD in 2005 and 2006. Wilhelm has been the chief executive of BR since 2011. 

Current ARD chairman and director of MDR, Karola Wille said: "I am delighted and congratulate BR and Ulrich Wilhelm on the election as ARD chairman. I am sure that I will be able to support him and his team on the way to a cross-media and integrated federal media alliance."

BR last held the ARD presidency in 2005/2006. The chairman of the ARD leads the business of the working group and directs the agenda at the broadcaster's annual meeting The chairmanship of the ARD is governed by individual committees, each of which is held by the responsible director of the managing board. The ARD Chair is supported by the ARD General Secretariat, headquartered in Berlin. The ARD's chairman's committee will be chaired in 2018 by the Federal Councilor for Broadcasting Lorenz Wolf.