Denise Rifai returns with a debate show on Antena Stars

Update

Denise Rifai returns to Antena Stars with a new live discussion format

Denise Rifai returns to Antena Stars with a new live discussion format, after three months of intense work with the channel's team. The journalist expresses enthusiasm for this new beginning, stating: 'I am happy that, finally, I can tell you about what I have been working on recently. Together with my team, here from Antena Stars... we will bring onto small screens a fresh format, a live show, where we will discuss together the most important information, alongside the people of the moment.' ^[2]

Rifai thanked viewers for their interest and promised beautiful evenings, 'hoping that the wait was worth it.' Elena Savu, Director of Antena Stars, added that the new show will provide 'all the reasons for people at home not to miss any episode.' Savu emphasized that Denise 'brings quality journalism, curiosity, and unmissable questions,' and that the team has prepared 'a special set, with surprising elements,' with guests 'completing the picture of perfect evenings.' Final launch details will be announced on the channel's social media networks. ^[2]

Update

Denise Rifai returns with a debate show on Antena Stars

Denise Rifai is preparing the launch of a new show on Antena Stars before the end of 2026. After stepping down from hosting the 'Furnicuțele' show on Antena 1, the journalist focuses her efforts on this new different format, although she has not yet communicated an official premiere date. The project Denise Rifai is working on at Antena Stars differs from previous productions; the journalist is personally involved in developing the concept and aims to bring a distinct format to the Romanian market. Contrary to speculative reports about Denise Rifai possibly leaving the group, the journalist confirmed that she continues her activity within the Antena Group. Denise Rifai expressed her clear goal of reaching number one in the ratings with her new project at Antena Stars. The presenter justified the extra time given to the project by the desire to finalize all details and avoid rushing the launch before establishing the final structure. 'I want my new show to be number one,' Denise Rifai said in an interview with Cancan. The journalist specified that she personally conceived the format and aims to occupy a central and active role in the spotlight of the new production. The current preparation stage includes finalizing the show's structure and forming the collaboration team, using the year 2026 as a reference point for the premiere, a term not officially confirmed but verified as the journalist's main professional concern. Cătălin Măruță took over the host role at 'Furnicuțele' In August 2026, Antena 1 announced that Denise Rifai would no longer host the 'Furnicuțele' show, which had been broadcast for only one season. The role left vacant by Denise Rifai was taken over by Cătălin Măruță, who returned to television after ending his previous collaboration with PRO TV. At the time of leaving 'Furnicuțele', Denise Rifai described the experience as a professional challenge that allowed her to explore a different format. She expressed support for her successor, Cătălin Măruță, and announced her intention to continue collaborating within the Antena Group. Denise Rifai's professional transition to the Antena Group was announced in February 2026, when she left Kanal D, marking the start of hosting 'Furnicuțele', signaling a shift from interviews and current affairs to entertainment. The press reported that Denise Rifai already has advanced discussions with Antena Stars about the new format, although the channel's owner has not officially confirmed the show's name, complete format details, or the exact premiere date. ^[3]

Update

Denise Rifai returns to Antena Stars with a new live discussion format

Journalist Denise Rifai returns to Antena Stars with a new live show format, after the period spent hosting the 'Furnicuțele' show on Antena 1. The project, which Rifai has been working on for three months, will address important current topics and include guests from various fields. Denise Rifai will present the show live, taking on a central and active role in the spotlight of the new production, after leaving Kanal D and hosting 'Furnicuțele' on Antena 1 in the first part of 2026. ^[4]

Denise Rifai describes the new project as a 'fresh format,' a live debate show that will bring her back in front of the audience, offering an opportunity for direct interaction with viewers. Denise Rifai stated: 'I am happy that, finally, I can tell you about what I have been working on recently. Together with my team, here from Antena Stars, whom you will meet very soon, we will bring onto small screens a fresh format, a live show, where we will discuss together the most important information, alongside the people of the moment.' The presenter thanked viewers for their displayed interest and promised beautiful evenings with the home audience: 'During this period, I received numerous comments and messages regarding the moment of return, and I want to thank everyone for their eagerness and curiosity. I cannot wait to reunite with those at home. I promise many beautiful evenings, together, on Antena Stars. And I hope the wait was worth it,' said Denise Rifai. Elena Savu, director of Antena Stars, declared that the team has prepared a special set and guests who 'will complete the picture of a perfect evening.' The channel's director highlighted Denise Rifai's journalistic experience and curiosity, announcing that full details of the show will be presented soon. Elena Savu emphasized the creative effort exerted by the team: 'The recent period brought extremely much creative energy to me and my team. Alongside Denise, we prepared a show that I am convinced will bring all the reasons for people at home not to miss any episode.' The Antena Stars director added: 'She brings quality journalism, curiosity, and unmissable questions, we have prepared a special set, with surprising elements, and the guests will complete the picture of perfect evenings. I cannot wait to give you all the details and start.' ^[4]

The newspaper mentions the possibility of debates on domestic and external political topics, compared to the current context in the United States, although the main focus of Denise Rifai's show remains on the local agenda. Gandul publication mentioned that, in September 2026, Cancan announced exclusively Denise Rifai's return to Antena Stars after parting with 'Furnicuțele'. The journalist debuted at 'Furnicuțele' on April 20, with Raed Arafat as guest, and the show was watched by 425,000 viewers in the first episode. The highest audience for the season was recorded on June 12, when the edition with Valentin Zamfira attracted 485,000 viewers. ^[4]

Update

Denise Rifai returns to Antena Stars with a live debate show

Journalist Denise Rifai is preparing to return to small screens with a new show format on Antena Stars. The project will be broadcast live and will address the most important topics of the moment, inviting protagonists from various fields, in an attempt to bring to the forefront journalism based on debate and curiosity. ^[5]

The presenter worked intensely with the Antena Stars team for three months to finalize the project's details. Although an official premiere date has not yet been communicated, Rifai mentioned that she wishes to avoid rushing the launch, focusing on the final structure and content quality. ^[5]

Rifai addressed a direct message to viewers, thanking them for their interest and eagerness. The star promised 'beautiful evenings, together, on Antena Stars,' highlighting that the wait was worth it for this new beginning in her professional career. ^[5]

In a statement, Denise Rifai explained the new concept: 'We will bring onto small screens a fresh format, a live show, where we will discuss together the most important information, alongside the people of the moment.' She reaffirmed her commitment to the home audience. ^[5]

Elena Savu, director of Antena Stars, highlighted the synergy between Rifai's journalistic experience and the channel's creative efforts. According to her, the new show combines information quality with surprising visual elements, aiming to complete the picture of a perfect evening. ^[5]

The Antena Stars director emphasized that 'She brings quality journalism, curiosity, and unmissable questions,' while the team has prepared a special set with surprising elements. Savu anticipated that they would provide all details and start as soon as possible. ^[5]

Denise Rifai's return to Antena Stars marks a major professional transition, after being replaced by Cătălin Măruță at the 'Furnicuțele' show. This change laid the foundations for a new chapter in the journalist's activity, now focusing on an independent debate format. ^[5]

Denise Rifai joined the Antena Group in the first part of the year, debuting at 'Furnicuțele' in April, after leaving Kanal D. Her presence on Antena 1 was relatively short, ending in early September, when Cătălin Măruță took over the host position. ^[5]

Update

Denise Rifai returns to Antena Stars with a new live debate format

Presenter Denise Rifai returns in front of the public with a new live debate format, a project that will be broadcast on Antena Stars and on which she has been working intensely for three months alongside the channel's team. Rifai describes the new project as a 'fresh format,' intended to bring onto small screens 'quality journalism, curiosity, and unmissable questions,' through discussions about the most important information of the moment, alongside relevant people. ^[6]

Denise Rifai addressed a direct message to viewers, thanking them for their interest and eagerness. 'During this period, I received numerous comments and messages regarding the moment of return, and I want to thank everyone for their eagerness and curiosity. I cannot wait to reunite with those at home. I promise many beautiful evenings, together, on Antena Stars. And I hope the wait was worth it,' the journalist declared. ^[6]

Elena Savu, Director of Antena Stars, highlighted the synergy between Rifai's journalistic experience and the channel's creative efforts. Savu stated: 'The recent period brought extremely much creative energy to me and my team. Alongside Denise, we prepared a show that I am convinced will bring all the reasons for people at home not to miss any episode.' The director completed: 'She brings quality journalism, curiosity, and unmissable questions, we have prepared a special set, with surprising elements, and the guests will complete the picture of perfect evenings.' ^[6]