Overview
- RTL confirms a split start: seven stars enter the main camp while five move into the smaller, tougher Snake Rock, with the camps facing off in the first trial for food rewards.
- Snake Rock’s initial lineup is Samira Yavuz, Simone Ballack, Stephen Dürr, Hubert Fella and Nicole Belstler-Boettcher, while Ariel, Umut Tekin, Patrick Romer, Eva Benetatou, Gil Ofarim, Mirja du Mont and Hardy Krüger begin in the regular camp.
- Five contestants were welcomed on an Australian beach by hosts Sonja Zietlow and Jan Köppen ahead of tonight’s premiere; the season airs daily on RTL and RTL+ from January 23 to February 8.
- Forecasts point to temperatures above 40°C at the site, and RTL says safety teams are monitoring conditions with procedures including lightning protection, firefighting gear and warning systems.
- RTL’s entertainment chief says roughly 90% of trials are new this year, as pre-show debate focuses on the camp split and the participation of musician Gil Ofarim.