The return of the long-running Italian television talent format Amici di Maria De Filippi has been postponed, with Publitalia—the advertising concessionaire for Mediaset networks—confirming that the Season 26 premiere will now air on Sunday, October 11, 2026, rather than the initially scheduled date of October 4, 2026. The adjustment shifts the kickoff of the talent school back by a week compared to recent broadcast schedules on Canale 5.
Broadcast Schedule and Publitalia Confirmation
Television schedules for Amici 26 shifted following updates released by Publitalia, which handles commercial space for Mediaset channels. While early promotional planning pointed to an October 4 debut for the Sunday afternoon block—traditionally kicking off around 14:00 local time—network logistics pushed the official launch to October 11, 2026.
Integration of New Sports Disciplines
Season 26 introduces a significant expansion of the school’s curriculum beyond traditional singing and dancing categories. Promotional clips broadcast on Canale 5 and shared via Instagram confirm the addition of three distinct sports disciplines: judo, boxing, and roller artistic skating. The program’s production framework will assign dedicated students to each new category—initially featuring one participant per sport—who will undergo specialized daily physical and technical training under expert supervision rather than following standard vocal or choreography lessons. Participants in these athletic divisions remain subject to the format’s usual elimination mechanics, including direct challenges that put their bench placements at risk.
Historical Precedents in the Amici Curriculum
While the inclusion of combat sports and roller skating marks a departure from recent formats, Amici has previously experimented with non-traditional disciplines across its multi-decade run. Early seasons of the Canale 5 program incorporated acting instruction. During the 2006–2007 television season, host Maria De Filippi introduced artistic gymnastics to the school, featuring athletes Mihaela Pohoata and Mircea Zamfir under the guidance of Olympic champion Jury Chechi, though the discipline was not carried over into subsequent editions.
Coaching and Faculty Realignment
Changes within the faculty roster accompany the curriculum expansion for Season 26. Longtime singing instructor Anna Pettinelli will not return to the program, as she is committed as a contestant on Carlo Conti’s Rai show Tale e Quale Show. Regular instructors Rudy Zerbi and Alessandra Celentano have been confirmed following sightings at production castings, alongside vocal coach Lorella Cuccarini. Meanwhile, the role of television personality Amadeus within the production remains unconfirmed; initial reports suggested a position as school principal, though current indications point toward an evaluation role during the evening Serale phase. Additional speculation surrounds potential new arrivals, including martial artist Alessio Sakara, noted as a possibility for overseeing the new athletic modules, though official confirmations for the complete faculty list are scheduled for the premiere broadcast on October 11, 2026.
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