Between 1973 and 1978, Peter Boudgoust studied law at Heidelberg University and the University of Mannheim and completed his second state examination in 1981. After holding various positions at the Landesverwaltung Baden-Württemberg and the State Ministry of Baden-Württemberg, he worked as legal advisor and financial director of the Süddeutscher Rundfunk. From 1998 until 2007, Boudgoust was executive director of the newly merged SWR and managing director of the SWR Holding GmbH. Between 2007 and 2019, Boudgoust worked as managing and creative director of the SWR and in the beginning of 2009, he also accepted the position as president of ARD for a two-year term. Boudgoust was elected as president of the German-French culture channel Arte in October 2015. His five-year term of office began on 1 January 2016.
Peter Boudgoust will be an external member of the University Supervisory Board and succeeds Dr. Thomas Schaub (Medien Union), whose term of office will end on 30 September 2020 in accordance with the constitution.