RTL cancels “The Summer House of the Stars” this week – here’s the real reason behind the change
For millions of German viewers, Tuesday night on RTL means one thing: The Summer House of the Stars – full of chaos, alliances, and emotional breakdowns. But this week, fans will have to wait: RTL has pulled the show from its primetime lineup at the last minute. Instead, the network will air a special edition of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire – The 3-Million-Euro Week” hosted by Günther Jauch. This was reported by G.Business, citing RTL.
The tenth season of the hit reality series, filmed in Bocholt-Barlo (North Rhine-Westphalia), has already featured major conflicts, shifting alliances, and dramatic breakups among celebrity couples. Each episode ended on a tense cliffhanger — and fans were eagerly awaiting episode five.
However, the network has officially confirmed that the next installment, originally set for Tuesday, October 7, 2025, will now air one week later, on October 14 at 8:15 p.m. CET. This shift means that all remaining episodes will also be delayed by a week.
Strategic programming — not a mistake
RTL’s decision wasn’t random. According to the broadcaster, the change is part of a ratings strategy designed to maximize viewership. “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” consistently delivers strong numbers during special jackpot events, and by moving The Summer House of the Stars, RTL avoids two high-performing formats competing on the same evening.
Behind the scenes, media insiders see another motive: RTL wants to counter ProSieben’s rising primetime ratings, especially from shows like The Voice of Germany and TV Total. By reshuffling its schedule, RTL positions itself to dominate the Tuesday night audience.
Streaming impact: What fans need to know on RTL+
The change also affects the streaming release schedule on RTL+, where new episodes typically drop a week before their TV broadcast. To bridge the gap, RTL split episode five into two parts:
- Part 1 has been available since late September.
- Part 2 went online on October 7, 2025.
From October 14, the normal release cycle will resume. Fans can continue streaming the show on RTL+ without missing any content — though they’ll have to wait for the full confrontation teased in the previous episode.
A decade of drama: the 10th anniversary season
The Summer House of the Stars debuted in 2016 and quickly became one of Germany’s most-watched reality formats. In its tenth anniversary season, the show once again places eight celebrity couples under constant surveillance, forcing them to live together on a small farm.
This year’s episodes have already sparked heated arguments, emotional breakdowns, and viral moments. Episode four ended with a public fallout between two teams, fueling anticipation for the delayed episode five. RTL reports audience figures of up to 1.8 million viewers and a 15% market share in the 14–49 demographic — proof that the format remains a ratings powerhouse.
How viewers reacted
On X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, reactions were instant and emotional. Under the hashtag #Sommerhaus, hundreds of fans expressed disappointment and frustration:
“How can RTL do this to us? Tuesday drama night is sacred!”
Others took it in stride, saying they preferred waiting for a “supercharged” episode after the break. RTL has already promised that the next broadcast will be “more emotional and confrontational than ever before.”
The postponement of The Summer House of the Stars isn’t a cancellation — it’s a calculated move in RTL’s fall programming strategy. For viewers, it means just a week’s delay, but the hype is only growing stronger. The next episode airs Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 8:15 p.m. on RTL, with full access via RTL+.
Next episode: Tuesday, October 14, 2025, 8:15 PM, RTL
Streaming: RTL+
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