On Friday, 12 December 2025, the Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR) devoted its entire broadcast schedule to the annual “Sternstunden” charity drive, a day‑long appeal for children in need.
What happened
From 06:00 a.m. onward, BR staff, presenters and a roster of celebrities—including Jutta Speidel, Bruno Jonas, Susanne Wiesner, Dominik Glöbl, Sabine Sauer, Erol Sander and Michl Müller—fielded telephone donations at call centres in Munich and Nuremberg. By 09:00 a.m. the first million euros had been raised, a record‑early milestone for the event.
By the close of the day, total donations for 2025 (covering 1 January – 12 December) reached €18.84 million, according to the BR’s own accounting.
The evening culminated in a live‑broadcast gala from the Frankenhalle in Nuremberg, hosted by Sandra Rieß and Volker Heißmann. The programme featured performances by Vanessa Mai, Francine Jordi, Iggi Kelly, Django 3000, the Strasser siblings and the Große Unterstufenchor of the Wilhelm‑Löhe‑School, alongside the traditional Christmas song sung by the Bavarian politicians’ choir.
Why it matters
BR Intendant Dr. Katja Wildermuth described the day as “a living example of solidarity,” emphasizing that the wave of generosity disproves the notion that exclusionary or ego‑centric attitudes dominate democratic societies. She credited BR employees, partners and sponsors for enabling the “tremendous result.”
Natalie Schmid, executive director of Sternstunden e.V., highlighted that each contribution sends a message of humanity and hope for children “who do not stand on the sunny side of life.” The funds are earmarked for projects that provide medical care, therapy and other essential services to vulnerable youngsters.
What could happen next
If the momentum from 2025 continues, the Sternstunden campaign may see higher participation rates in subsequent years, potentially accelerating the pace at which milestones—such as the first million‑euro mark—are reached.
Analysts could expect that increased visibility of beneficiary stories, combined with the involvement of high‑profile personalities, may attract new corporate sponsors, thereby broadening the programme’s funding base.
Conversely, the organization might face pressure to allocate larger sums across a growing number of projects, which could prompt a strategic review of funding priorities to maintain impact efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money was raised by Sternstunden in 2025?
By 12 December 2025, the campaign had collected €18.84 million, covering the period from 1 January to the day of the event.
Who hosted the Sternstunden gala in Nuremberg?
The gala was hosted by Sandra Rieß and Volker Heißmann.
What is the overall aim of the Sternstunden charity?
Sternstunden, in cooperation with the Bayerischer Rundfunk, supports sick, disabled and needy children in Bavaria, Germany and worldwide through fundraising and project financing.
What do you think the future of community‑driven charity events like Sternstunden could look like?
