Every Sunday morning, millions of Germans gather in front of their televisions - for two live shows that at first glance appear to be rivals, but have long ceased to be. While "Immer wieder sonntags" (Das Erste) broadcasts from Europa-Park in Rust and "ZDF-Fernsehgarten" from Mainzer Lerchenberg, what was once a ratings duel has evolved into a relaxed handover, which will end this year.
In March 2026, the leading broadcaster SWR and ARD published an official press release announcing that the 2026 season will be the last for Stefan Mross (50) and "Immer wieder sonntags". The show will not continue in 2027, partly for financial reasons. A major change for those involved and for fans.
A few days later, the host personally spoke out: "I've really had a great time and we still have 13 shows ahead of us", Mross said in early April in an interview with "Süddeutsche Zeitung". And he promised: "We're going to deliver an awesome season like every year."
From Competition to Sunday Handover
In the past, ARD and ZDF competed directly for the same time slot, but since 2016 the formats have followed one another: "Immer wieder sonntags" runs from 10:03 a.m. to 12 p.m., "Fernsehgarten" from 12 p.m. Nevertheless, the ratings are compared with each other by online magazines like "dwdl". Yet the hosts regularly emphasize that they don't see themselves as rivals.
For example, Stefan Mross said in June 2024 in an interview with "Superillu": "Kiwi and I really like and appreciate each other. We're not competitors. ZDF did everything right back then when they moved out of our way time-wise. That was a great, respectful decision. On the one hand, it was a small accolade for us, on the other hand, I was pleased because the audience often couldn't decide between the shows."
In an interview with "Schlager.de", his ZDF colleague Andrea Kiewel (61) revealed a conciliatory idea in July 2024: "I really appreciate Stefan and still dream of an 'Immer wieder Fernsehgarten' marathon that Stefan and I would host together from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.", she said. But it never happened.
Folk Music and Party Culture
At first glance, the content of the two programs is similar: live bands, pop stars, audience games. But on closer inspection, differences emerge.
"Fernsehgarten" offers a broader spectrum - from pop music to Mallorca acts. To mark the 40th anniversary, various themed episodes are scheduled for this summer: from "90er Party" (July 12), "Mallorca" (July 19) to "Rock im Garten" (August 2), "Italo-Schlager" (August 16) to "Christmas Party" (August 23) or "Oktoberfest" (September 20).
In contrast, "Immer wieder sonntags" is more traditional, family-oriented and rooted in folk culture. The final season will air in 2026. On September 6, the grand "Extra-Finalausgabe" will air, and on September 13, a "Best-of" with the highlights of the farewell season.
"Immer wieder sonntags" started in 1995 on Das Erste, Stefan Mross has been hosting the show since 2005. "ZDF-Fernsehgarten" has been around since 1986, Andrea Kiewel has been hosting the show since 2000, with a two-year break.
