Heidi Klum Taps 1st Hofbräuhaus Keg to Open Oktoberfest 2026 in Munich

Q: Why did Heidi Klum abruptly move her star-studded HeidiFest broadcast to a rival network right before Oktoberfest?

Heidi Klum moved “HeidiFest” from ProSieben to RTL because ProSieben had decided it no longer wanted to carry the event as a live TV broadcast, and RTL stepped in with a bigger multiplatform offer. Reporting around the switch says ProSieben had announced it would no longer show “HeidiFest” live. That left Klum needing a new outlet just days before Oktoberfest. RTL then picked up the show for both its main free-to-air channel and RTL+, giving the event a broader TV-and-streaming rollout. RTL also sold the move as an upgrade rather than just a rescue. The broadcaster promoted the 2026 edition as “bigger” and “louder,” added green-carpet and follow-up special coverage, and emphasized Klum’s global star power. Klum herself said she was excited to celebrate the festival with RTL and RTL+ “for the first time.” There is also a likely ratings and reach factor behind the change. One report noted that last year’s HeidiFest figures on ProSieben and Joyn had been underwhelming. While neither Klum nor the networks publicly framed the move as a fallout or dispute, the available evidence suggests a practical and commercial reason: ProSieben pulled back from the format, and RTL offered a more ambitious broadcast package. Importantly, the switch does not appear to mean a full break with ProSieben. Klum is still expected to remain on the network with “Germany’s Next Topmodel,” which has long been one of its signature shows.

2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 19

Heidi Klum officially launched Oktoberfest 2026 by tapping the first Hofbräuhaus keg at HeidiFest in Munich on Sept. 17.
The keg-tapping served as the ceremonial start of the annual beer festival, with Klum again fronting a high-profile kickoff event tied to Oktoberfest.
Getty Images from HeidiFest placed Klum at Hofbräuhaus Munich ahead of the broader celebrations, underscoring the event's role as an opening marker for the festival season.