Overview
- Season 19 begins January 23 at 8:15 p.m. on RTL and streams on RTL+, with a live warm‑up broadcast planned for January 18 featuring early links to Australia.
- RTL entertainment chief Markus Küttner says nearly all trials are newly designed this year and teases a major change that will be revealed in the opening episode.
- Gil Ofarim is among the twelve contestants, and his pre‑show RTL interview declining to discuss his past drew sharp social‑media criticism and some boycott calls.
- Filming takes place on privately leased land near Australia’s Gold Coast, a site reachable by road and regularly cleared of dangerous wildlife for safety.
- Published camp rules for 2026 include a German‑only language requirement, marked movement boundaries, mandatory night watches, penalties for daytime sleeping, and sanctions for serious violations.