New jury with Dieter Bohlen, Bushido & Isi Glück, new casting concept & a brand new, format-accompanying reality show

DSDS returns at Easter 2026 with season 22! RTL is once again embarking on the entertaining and exciting search for “Germany’s superstar”. This year, the talents will be cast by head judge Dieter Bohlen, Ballermann queen Isi Glück and rap legend Bushido at the RTL broadcasting center in Cologne-Deutz. The ten new episodes of the casting show, including three live shows in Cologne, will be broadcast from April 4, 2026, every Saturday and Tuesday at 8:15 p.m. on RTL. Episodes 1 and 2 will be available in advance on RTL+ on April 4 and the other episodes on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

New innovative casting concept

The 22nd DSDS season features a revised concept: Each casting episode depicts a complete day – from the arrival of the candidates to the final jury decision. There will be plenty of excitement: talented contestants who impress will be allowed into the “Golden Room”, where it will be decided whether they have to compete again in front of the jury or whether they will go straight through. Instead of the usual recall slips of paper, “recall tickets” will be awarded for the first time and, due to the new concept, golden CDs will no longer be used.

For the first time DIE DSDS REALITY on RTL+: The road to superstardom

Also new this year: for the first time in the history of DSDS, ten episodes starting on April 21 will show exclusively on RTL+ how superstars are made. In DSDS REALITY, the candidates will be accompanied in their daily life in a shared flat and undergo intensive training in singing, dancing, performance and stage presence. The talents are supported by well-known mentors and coaches.

Recall for the first time at Europa-Park in Rust

DSDS goes back to Europa-Park! The two recall episodes of this season (broadcast on April 21 and 25 on RTL) were filmed at Europa-Park in Rust. With its varied themed areas and spectacular rollercoasters, the popular theme park is the perfect stage for the DSDS filming. There is still no age limit: the candidates are between 16 and 70 years old. Several thousand applications were received again this year.

DEUTSCHLAND SUCHT DEN SUPERSTAR from Easter Saturday, April 4 on RTL and in advance on RTL+ / DIE DSDS REALITY from April 21 exclusively on RTL+