Observed Signal · Jun 12, 2026 · Production Change · Source: DWDL · Impact: 3/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
RTL's 'Let's Dance' switches production to BBC Studios
RTL's long-running dance show Let's Dance will change production companies: Seapoint Productions will produce the series through its 20th season, with that collaboration ending in summer 2027. BBC Studios (through BBC Studios Germany) — the format's licensor — will take over production from 2028, with Phil Schmid and Markus Templin named as producers. Seapoint's founder and managing director Nina Klink, who has produced the show since its first broadcast on April 3, 2006, confirmed the handover and thanked her team. RTL said the show's presenters and high-profile jury members (Daniel Hartwich, Victoria Swarovski, Motsi Mabuse, Jorge González and Joachim Llambi) hold contracts directly with RTL and are not contractually affected by the production-company change. The move follows BBC Studios Germany's broader strategy to operate as an in‑market production company in Germany.
A major, long-running linear-TV format is being moved from an independent producer to the format owner’s in‑market production unit — significant for German TV production, supplier relationships and format control, though not a platform- or ad‑tech policy change.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Seapoint Productions will stop producing Let's Dance after season 20; the collaboration with BBC Studios ends in summer 2027.
- BBC Studios Germany will assume production of Let's Dance from 2028; Phil Schmid and Markus Templin will lead production there.
- Nina Klink and Seapoint Productions have produced Let's Dance since its first show on 2006-04-03.
- The format rights for Let's Dance (Strictly Come Dancing adaptation) are held by BBC Studios.
- Hosts/jury members Daniel Hartwich, Victoria Swarovski, Motsi Mabuse, Jorge González and Joachim Llambi have contracts directly with RTL and are not contractually affected by the production change.
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RTL to Continue 'DSDS' in 2027 with Same Jury
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RTL+ won't continue 'Princess Charming' for now
RTL+ has no current plans to continue the lesbian dating show 'Princess Charming' after five seasons, the streaming service confirmed to DWDL.de. Producer Yvonne Plume announced the decision in a LinkedIn post and said the show's new nomination for the German Television Award felt like a meaningful recognition but also a source of sadness. RTL's spokesperson told DWDL.de that no new season is planned at present, though a future comeback is not ruled out. 'Princess Charming' premiered in 2021, ran five seasons, and its most recent season (summer 2025) ended amid headlines after a relationship developed and an early termination occurred. The production company Seapoint also faces another setback: it will lose the production mandate for 'Let's Dance' from 2028 when BBC Studios takes over.
Let's Dance Finale Strong but Below Past Years
The "Let's Dance" finale on RTL (aired 29 May 2026) drew renewed viewers but remained weaker than some past seasons. The live finale averaged 2.78 million viewers and achieved an 18.9% market share across all viewers; in the 14–49 demographic it reached 530,000 viewers and a 20.9% share. DWDL cites AGF Videoforschung (preliminary weighted AGF SCOPE data). Despite the finale's performance, the season average fell below three million viewers per episode for the first time (preliminary figures). The ZDF "heute-show" led the 14–49 demo that evening (24.5% share, ~730,000 viewers), and ZDF's "Der Alte" had the highest overall reach (3.38 million). An RTL "Exclusiv Spezial" aftershow delivered 1.41 million viewers and pushed RTL's total-day market share to 20.4% (17.5% in 14–49).
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