Halle (Saale) - The wait is over for millions of TV viewers: Europe's biggest TV show is returning. On Saturday, December 5, 2026, Germany's most famous couch will once again be the focus of Saturday evening entertainment. The biggest surprise is the new line-up: ZDF will be relying on „Tokio Hotel“ stars Bill and Tom Kaulitz as the presenting duo.
A generational change on the show couch
By signing the Kaulitz twins, ZDF is taking a bold step towards the future. ZDF Program Director Dr. Nadine Bilke emphasized that interest in the show is unbroken across generations and that with Bill and Tom they have gained a real highlight for the year 2026. The brothers themselves are honored and full of energy. Bill Kaulitz explained that it was an incredible honor to continue this „great brand“. He has already announced that he wants to „stir up trouble“ with the show - a clear signal for a fresh, perhaps somewhat cheekier style of show.
Tom Kaulitz added that there was great respect for the task, as the first edition of Wetten, dass... was broadcast years before it was born. Nevertheless, they wanted to be courageous and, above all, put the fun in the foreground when they lead through the evening for the first time at prime time without a safety net.
Blessing from show patriarch Frank Elstner
The new duo has received backing from prominent figures. Frank Elstner, the show's creator, described ZDF's choice as a „courageous and creative decision“. In times of social media such as TikTok and YouTube, it is important to set accents that arouse people's curiosity. Elstner, who launched the show in 1981, is officially keeping his fingers crossed for the Kaulitz brothers for their debut in Halle (Saale).
The show's statistics are impressive: over 1,000 bets have been presented in 218 editions to date. Names such as Thomas Gottschalk, Wolfgang Lippert and Markus Lanz have shaped the history of the format. Now it is up to the Kaulitz brothers to continue this history in a joint production with ORF and SRF. Anyone who would like to be part of the show can now submit their own betting suggestions to ZDF.
