Ballando con le Stelle revamps cast and jury amid Rai-Mediaset tension

The upcoming season of Italy’s dance competition Ballando con le Stelle will be filmed in a new studio at Rai’s Saxa Rubra production centre and will feature a partially renewed jury. Long‑time juror Selvaggia Lucarelli is leaving, while Barbara d'Urso and journalist Alberto Matano are expected to join the panel, alongside possible returns of Paolo Belli and other personalities.

Media analysts speculate that Rai’s casting choices are a deliberate move against rival broadcaster Mediaset. The inclusion of Barbara d'Urso – a former Mediaset face – is described as a “slap” to Pier Silvio Berlusconi, with the involvement of agent Lucio Presta and former footballer’s partner Noemi Bocchi also seen as symbolic gestures in the network rivalry.