The Star Academy music show has returned to French TF1 television, recording a successful start for the 2026 season and drawing millions of viewers on the first night.
According to data published by Puremédias, the show, broadcast on Saturday, October 10th, was attended by 3.50 million viewers in the first part, securing 21.5% of French television audiences.
The second part attracted 2.52 million viewers, with a turnout of 24.3% of the audience.
These results represent an increase compared to the start of the 2025 season, when the first part had attracted 3.26 million viewers.
One of the biggest innovations of this edition is the appointment of DJ and musical producer Quentin Mosimann as director of the academy, replacing Michael Goldman.
Mosimann, who himself won Star Academy in 2008, has returned to a leading role this time.
According to Puremédia, he failed to hold his tears during a first - night musical performance, acknowledging that he had been excited since the beginning of the show.
The new edition presented 17 competitors, who will live and train at the famous Dammie-Lys Academy, near Paris.
The programme continues to be run by host Nikos Aliagas, while the professorial staff has been updated with new names from the musical and show industry.
One of the most controversial moments was the professor's decision to grant immunity to 20-year-old competitor Isabella.
According to TF1 Info, professors unanimously chose him as the most prominent contestant of the evening, protecting him from next week's nominations.
The interpretations of Mlina and Zoe also attracted public attention, while new competitors were introduced for the first time on the big stage.
Returning Star Academy has caused considerable interest on the internet as well. The term has climbed among the most frequent Google Trends research in France, with over 50,000 research recorded during the last wave of interest.
The programme has a long history on French television and has helped start the careers of several renowned artists.
The new season will continue with weekly performance, assessments by professors and eliminations, while competitors try to secure a seat in the grand finale.
After the results of the first night, attention has already focused on the race among 17 talents and on the way the new director Moimann will lead the academy.
