Tereza Kostková and Marek Eben announced on Sept. 14, 2024, at a Czech Television press conference that the upcoming fourteenth season of StarDance will be their last, ending a twenty-year tenure as hosts since the show’s 2006 premiere, zpravy.tiscali.cz reported.
Marek Dědík Characterizes the Departure as a Continuing Earthquake
Dancer and choreographer Marek Dědík described the exit of Kostková and Eben as part of an ongoing upheaval within the production. Having spent five seasons competing alongside them, Dědík admitted to eXtra.cz that he was deeply moved by the news and noted that the hosts were a constant stabilizing presence for the professional partners during moments of stress.
Dědík linked this transition to broader changes in the show’s lineup, pointing to the revolving door of judges such as Zdeněk Chlopčík. Czech Television announced in April 2024 that Chlopčík would be replaced by Jan Tománek for the thirteenth season without providing detailed explanations, though Chlopčík is set to return for the upcoming fourteenth run alongside Tatiana Drexler, Richard Genzer, and new addition Jana Burkiewiczová, according to iROZHLAS.
Contrasting Reality TV Prestige with Professional Honorariums
While celebrities and prominent hosts command substantial fees, professional dancers face starkly different financial realities. Dědík, who left the show prior to the twelfth season in 2023, cited workload and financial constraints as primary factors in his exit, telling Blesk that professionals receive zero compensation for rehearsal hours and are paid exclusively per broadcast.
Did you know? While professional dancers reported earning roughly 20,000 to 30,000 CZK per televised episode—potentially totaling around 220,000 CZK for a full run to the finale—leaked industry data and commentary from host Marek Eben highlight that participants often face months of blocked schedules and diminished outside income if they exit early.
According to figures cited by eXtra.cz, celebrity contestants historically earned between 50,000 and 70,000 CZK per episode, dwarfing the hourly earnings of their professional partners when factoring in dozens of unpaid training hours. Medium.seznam.cz noted that these earnings pale in comparison to standard commercial rates in the broader Czech show business market, where single appearances or commercial rights agreements for participating personalities routinely exceed a professional dancer’s entire seasonal earnings.
Marek Eben continues managing various cultural projects
Despite these external pressures, Marek Eben clarified to Blesk that he does not view his departure as a retirement from public life. He continues to manage projects such as Na plovárně, the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, and musical performances with Bratry Ebeny, leaving open the question of whether he might ever return to the format in a guest capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions About the StarDance Changes
When will Tereza Kostková and Marek Eben officially leave StarDance?
The moderating duo will step down following the conclusion of the fourteenth season in December 2024, exactly twenty years after launching the format in 2006, as reported by zpravy.tiscali.cz and Kafe.cz.
Who is replacing Zdeněk Chlopčík on the judging panel?
Zdeněk Chlopčík returns to the judging desk for the fourteenth season alongside Tatiana Drexler, Richard Genzer, and newly added choreographer Jana Burkiewiczová, according to iROZHLAS, following his temporary replacement by Jan Tománek in the thirteenth season.
Why did professional dancer Marek Dědík leave the show?
Dědík departed prior to the twelfth season in 2023 due to family priorities, heavy workload, and inadequate compensation, telling Blesk that professional dancers are not paid for rehearsal hours and receive remuneration solely for live broadcasts.
What are the actual earnings for participants on StarDance?
While Czech Television maintains that specific honorariums fall under non-public contracts, anonymous industry figures cited by eXtra.cz indicated that professional dancers historically earned roughly 20,000 to 30,000 CZK per episode, while celebrities earned between 50,000 and 70,000 CZK per episode before taxes.
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