Overview

• The gala in Leipzig aired live nationwide on Das Erste for the first time, with Kai Pflaume and Florian Silbereisen co-hosting their first show together.
• Audience prizes went to Barbara Schöneberger (entertainment), Michael Patrick Kelly (music), Nora Tschirner (acting) and biathlete Franziska Preuß (sport).
• Jury and honorary recognitions included Sarah Connor for music, Till Reiners for comedy, the Kinderklinikkonzerte e. V. for charity and actress Katrin Sass for her life’s work.
• Unheilig frontman Der Graf returned to the stage after nine years and broke into tears during his performance.
• Early banter featured Silbereisen’s wordplay about Helene Fischer’s newborn, as coverage also noted the unusual lack of major schlager nominees and a rule that recent winners sit out for a year.