German entertainment: Heidi Klum moves to RTL and Mark Medlock cancels TV appearance

HeidiFest Giovanni Zarrella Show German television Mark Medlock RTL

Several major developments are occurring in German television. Heidi Klum is moving her primetime show, "HeidiFest," to RTL and RTL+. Following low viewership on ProSieben in 2025, the broadcaster will no longer air the live musical event, which is scheduled to take place at the Hofbräuhaus in Munich on September 17, 2026.

In the Schlager music scene, singer Mark Medlock has unexpectedly canceled his appearance on the "Giovanni Zarrella Show" due to illness, despite having already arrived in Mainz. The cancellation comes shortly before the release of his new album, "Back Into the Sun."

The "Giovanni Zarrella Show" itself is facing challenges, with event organizers expressing frustration over artists canceling appearances for major TV broadcasts, which impacts smaller live events. Meanwhile, the "ZDF-Fernsehgarten" will deviate from its usual live format on August 9, 2026, featuring a special quiz edition to celebrate its 40th anniversary while the venue prepares for Zarrella's open-air production.

Other notable updates include Norbert Rier of the Kastelruther Spatzen making a televised comeback on "Immer wieder sonntags" following health issues, and the engagement of the duo Neonlicht during a recording of the Zarrella show.

Entities

Andrea Kiewel · Giovanni Zarrella · Guido Cantz · Heidi Klum · Janine Kunze · Joachim Llambi · Mainz · Mainzer Lerchenberg · Mark Medlock · RTL · Sonya Kraus · Vincent Gross

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 3 SOURCES] The winner of the quiz would receive ten minutes of airtime on September 27. www.waltroper-zeitung.de
[● 3 SOURCES] The ZDF Fernsehgarten live show scheduled for Sunday, August 9 was cancelled. www.waltroper-zeitung.de
[● 3 SOURCES] The audience consisted of members of the Mainzer Männerchor Goldisch Meenzer Bube. www.waltroper-zeitung.de
[● 3 SOURCES] ZDF aired a two‑hour quiz program titled “Fernsehgarten – Das Quiz” on August 9. www.waltroper-zeitung.de
[● 3 SOURCES] The three celebrity opponents were singer Vincent Gross, actress Janine Kunze, and comedian Lutz van der Horst. www.waltroper-zeitung.de
[● 3 SOURCES] The quiz was hosted by Joachim Llambi, a judge from “Let’s Dance”. www.waltroper-zeitung.de
[● 3 SOURCES] Andrea Kiewel participated as a contestant in the quiz, competing against three celebrities. www.waltroper-zeitung.de
[● 3 SOURCES] The quiz featured rounds involving identifying silent music performances, dating old clips, and predicting outcomes of stopped footage. www.waltroper-zeitung.de
[● 3 SOURCES] The bronze golfer statue was designed by Austrian sculptor Hans Kastler in the 2000s.
[● 3 SOURCES] The particular piece shown may be number 6 in the series.
[● 3 SOURCES] The bidding war occurred on the German TV show Bares für Rares, hosted by Horst Lichter.
[● 3 SOURCES] Seller Wilfried acquired the statue about 15 years ago after a golf club dissolved.