German television continues to evolve with exciting new updates and headline news, drawing viewers eagerly toward staple series and significant broadcasting shifts. One of the most anticipated events is the upcoming 18th season of the popular dance competition 'Let’s Dance'. Gabriel Kelly, the surprising winner of the 2024 season, has shared his excitement about returning for the new series but is also sounding the alarm for the fresh contestants.
Gabriel Kelly, the son of Kelly Family star Angelo Kelly, won the competition last year dancing alongside professional dancer Malika Dzumaev. Now, as the new season kicks off, he warns, "If you knew what was coming for you," hinting at the intense training and challenges new participants will face. ‘Let’s Dance’ recently unveiled 14 new candidates who will vie for the coveted title of 'Dancing Star 2025'. Among the notable names are singer Ben Zucker, actress Christine Neubauer, and Golfer Diego Pooth.
The new season promises not just entertainment but also hard work and commitment, which Kelly emphasizes to newcomers. The exact start date remains unconfirmed, but the introduction show typically occurs between February and March.
Meanwhile, more culinary hilarity unfolded when TV stars Nelson Müller and Sebastian Pufpaff confronted extreme heat on the show 'TV Total'. The two took part in the infamous game 'Hot Ones', sampling fiery meatballs covered with sauces reportedly around 135,600 Scoville units—significantly milder than the infamous curry sauce incident involving Stefan Mross back in 2014, which allegedly topped 7 million Scoville units.
During the tasting, both celebrities suffered considerable distress, with Pufpaff humorously declaring, “I’m not feeling great circulatory-wise after this ‘Da’Bomb’ sauce.” The show humorously acknowledged Mross’s 2014 incident, noting how he collapsed after tasting a spicy dish. Despite the discomfort, both Müller and Pufpaff emerged unscathed, unlike Mross, who required medical attention after his experience.
On another front, strict rules for the upcoming 'Dschungelcamp' were unveiled as it gears up for its launch on January 24, 2025. The camp will have contestants following rigorous guidelines to protect their safety and the surrounding environment. Among these rules, contestants will not be allowed to sleep during the day, must use sawdust toilets, and will face limitations on their food intake. Notably, participants cannot interact with or consume local flora and fauna, which is protected under Australian law.
The significance of these regulations follows previous incidents where safety has been compromised, and structure has ensured the integrity of the program. The producers have stated they are committed to maintaining these restrictions to guarantee the health of both the contestants and the environment.
Another significant change impacting German viewers relates to the transition from SD to HD broadcasting. Starting January 7, 2025, ARD will stop airing programs in Standard Definition, with major cable operators expected to follow suit. Many households reliant on older televisions—estimated to number around 2.7 million according to industry reports—might find themselves unable to tune in to their favorite channels. These shifts are part of broader technological advancements aimed at improving viewing experiences.
While most of the major private broadcasters, including RTL, will continue to offer both SD and HD options for the foreseeable future, viewers will need to upgrade their equipment to access higher quality signals from public broadcasters.
Overall, German television is set for thrilling changes and engaging programming. With 'Let’s Dance' kicking off its new season, exciting culinary challenges on 'TV Total', strict rules for 'Dschungelcamp', and shifts to HD broadcasting, 2025 promises to be packed with entertainment and anticipation.