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Coordinates: 41°55′4″N 12°27′59″E / 41.91778°N 12.46639°E / 41.91778; 12.46639
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{{short description|State-owned Italian broadcasting company}}
{{Short description|State-owned Italian broadcasting company}}
{{about|the Italian national broadcasting company|other uses|Rai (disambiguation)}}
{{About|the Italian national broadcasting company|other uses|Rai (disambiguation)}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
| name = RAI – Radiotelevisione italiana S.p.A.
| name = Rai
| logo = [[File:Rai - Logo 2016.svg|150px]]
| logo = [[File:Rai - Logo 2016.svg|150px]]
| logo_alt = Logo of RAI
| logo_caption = Logo used since 2016
| image = Rai Roma viale mazzini.JPG
| image = Rai Roma viale mazzini.JPG
| image_caption = Rai Roma building (headquarters)
| image_caption = RAI headquarters in Rome
| type = [[Società per azioni]] (S.p.A.), state-owned
| type = {{Lang|it|[[Società per azioni]]}} (S.p.A.), state-owned
| founder = [[Government of Italy]]
| founder = [[Government of Italy]]
| area_served = [[Italy]] and other neighbouring countries in the [[European Union]], excluding [[Tunisia]], [[Switzerland]], [[Albania]], [[Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia]], [[Monaco]], [[Montenegro]], [[San Marino]] and [[Vatican City]]
| area_served = Italy and other neighbouring countries in the European Union, [[Tunisia]], Switzerland, [[Albania]], [[Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia]], [[Monaco]], [[Montenegro]], [[San Marino]] and [[Vatican City]]
| key_people = {{ublist|Carlo Fuortes ([[CEO]])|Marinella Soldi (Chairman)}}
| key_people = {{ublist|Roberto Sergio ([[CEO]])|Marinella Soldi (chairman)}}
| industry = [[Mass media]]
| industry = [[Mass media]]
| genre =
| genre =
| products = {{ublist|[[Broadcasting]]|[[Radio]]}}
| products = {{hlist|[[Broadcasting]]|[[Radio]]}}
| services = {{ublist|[[Television]]|Radio|[[Web portal]]}}
| services = {{hlist|[[Television]]|Radio|[[Web portal]]}}
| revenue = {{increase}} [[Euro|€]]2.493 billion (2019)<ref name="RAI Annual Report 2019">[https://www.rai.it/dl/doc/1599380088985_A%20_%20RFA%20_%20RAI%20_UK%20002.pdf] {{in lang|en}} Retrieved on 23-04-2021</ref>
| revenue = {{increase}} €2.52 billion (2021)<ref name="RAI Annual Report 2019">[https://www.rai.it/dl/doc/1656424969194_Bilancio%20Rai%202021.pdf Reports and Financial Statements as of 31 December 2021] {{in lang|en}} Retrieved on 04-03-2023</ref>
| operating_income = {{decrease}} [[Euro|€]]191.6 million (2019)<ref name="RAI Annual Report 2019"/>
| net_income = {{increase}} €30.44 million (2021)<ref name="RAI Annual Report 2019"/>
| net_income = {{decrease}} [[Euro|€]]-54.6 million (2019)<ref name="RAI Annual Report 2019"/>
| owner = [[Ministry of Economy and Finance (Italy)|Ministry of Economy and Finance]]
| owner = [[Ministry of Economy and Finance (Italy)|Ministry of Economy and Finance]]
| num_employees = 11,635 (2014)<ref name="RAI Annual Report 2014">[http://www.rai.it/dl/docs/Report_31_12_2014_check.pdf] {{in lang|en}} Retrieved on 13-01-2016</ref>
| num_employees = 12,751 (2021)<ref name="RAI Annual Report 2019"/>
| parent =
| parent =
| divisions =
| divisions =
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| footnotes =
| footnotes =
| foundation = {{ublist|{{start date and age|1924}} (as URI)|{{Start date and age|1944}} (as RAI)|{{start date and age|1954}} (as RAI S.p.A.)}}
| foundation = {{ublist|{{start date and age|1924}} (as URI)|{{Start date and age|1944}} (as RAI)|{{start date and age|1954}} (as RAI S.p.A.)}}
| location = [[Rome]], Italy
| location = 14 {{lang|it|Viale Giuseppe Mazzini|i=no}}<br/>[[Rome]], Italy
| homepage = {{ublist|{{website|https://www.rai.it}}|{{website|https://www.raiplay.it}}|{{website|https://www.raiplaysound.it}}
| origins =
}}
| caption =
| homepage = {{ublist|{{website|rai.it}}|{{website|raiplay.it}}}}
| dissolved =
| dissolved =
}}
}}


'''RAI – Radiotelevisione italiana'''<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rai.it/dl/rai/text/ContentItem-9e40fc26-6bca-4fc7-a682-50d48a0f19e0.html |title=Rai.it - Il gruppo Rai |website=www.rai.it |access-date=2017-12-25}}</ref> ({{IPA-it|ˈrai ˌradjoteleviˈzjoːne itaˈljaːna|pronounciation}}; commercially styled as '''Rai''' since 2000; known until 1954 as '''Radio Audizioni Italiane''')<ref>Originally a distinction was made in Italian between [[wireless telegraphy]] ({{lang|it|radiofonia}}) and [[wireless telephony]] ({{lang|it|radioaudizione circolare}}). The latter term has now fallen into disuse. [http://www.radiomarconi.com/marconi/storia_radio.html La radio in Italia cronologia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018002602/http://www.radiomarconi.com/marconi/storia_radio.html |date=18 October 2017 }} {{in lang|it}} Retrieved on 2007-11-28</ref> is the national [[public broadcasting]] company of Italy, owned by the [[Ministry of Economy and Finance (Italy)|Ministry of Economy and Finance]]. RAI operates many [[terrestrial television|terrestrial]] and [[pay television|subscription television]] channels and [[radio]] stations. It is one of the biggest broadcasters in Italy competing with [[Mediaset]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://italicsmag.com/2018/11/27/italian-television-system-explained/ |work=Italics Magazine |title=The Italian Television System Explained |first=Sabrina |last=Pusterla |date=27 November 2018 |access-date=3 July 2019}}</ref> and other minor radio and television networks. RAI has a relatively high television audience share of 35.9%.<ref name="Report on Operations">{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemaitaliano.info/news/55276/rai-un-2019-ricco-di-ascolti-tra-film-fiction.html|title=RAI - Un 2019 ricco di ascolti tra film, fiction, sport e programmi TV|work=Cinemaitaliano.info|access-date=6 January 2020}}</ref>
{{lang|it|'''RAI – Radiotelevisione italiana'''|i=no}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rai.it/dl/rai/text/ContentItem-9e40fc26-6bca-4fc7-a682-50d48a0f19e0.html |title=Rai.it Il gruppo Rai |website=rai.it |access-date=2017-12-25}}</ref> ({{IPA-it|ˈrai ˌradjoteleviˈzjoːne itaˈljaːna|lang}}), commercially styled as '''Rai''' since 2000 and known until 1954 as {{lang|it|'''Radio Audizioni Italiane'''|i=no}},{{efn|Originally a distinction was made in Italian between [[wireless telegraphy]] ({{lang|it|radiofonia}}) and [[wireless telephony]] ({{lang|it|radioaudizione circolare}}). The latter term has now fallen into disuse.<ref>[http://www.radiomarconi.com/marconi/storia_radio.html La radio in Italia cronologia]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018002602/http://www.radiomarconi.com/marconi/storia_radio.html |date=18 October 2017 }} {{in lang|it}}. Retrieved on 2007-11-28.</ref>}} is the national [[public broadcasting]] company of Italy, owned by the [[Ministry of Economy and Finance (Italy)|Ministry of Economy and Finance]]. RAI operates many [[terrestrial television|terrestrial]] and [[pay television|subscription television]] channels and [[radio]] stations. It is one of the biggest broadcasters in Europe, and the biggest in Italy competing with [[Mediaset]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://italicsmag.com/2018/11/27/italian-television-system-explained/ |work=Italics Magazine |title=The Italian Television System Explained |first=Sabrina |last=Pusterla |date=27 November 2018 |access-date=3 July 2019}}</ref> and other minor radio and television networks. RAI has a relatively high television audience share of 35.9%.<ref name="Report on Operations">{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemaitaliano.info/news/55276/rai-un-2019-ricco-di-ascolti-tra-film-fiction.html|title=RAI Un 2019 ricco di ascolti tra film, fiction, sport e programmi TV|work=Cinemaitaliano.info|access-date=6 January 2020}}</ref>


RAI broadcasts are also received in surrounding countries, including [[Albania]], [[Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia]], [[Croatia]], [[Malta]], [[Monaco]], [[Montenegro]], [[San Marino]], [[Slovenia]], [[Vatican City]], [[Switzerland]], [[France]] and [[Tunisia]], and elsewhere on [[pay television]] and some channels FTA across Europe including UK on the Hotbird satellite. Half of RAI's revenues come from [[Television licence|broadcast receiving licence]] fees, the remainder from the sale of advertising time.<ref name="Min. of Communications1">[http://www.comunicazioni.it/news/pagina198.html "Basta con il governo padrone, così cambierà la Tv pubblica"] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20071227090924/http://www.comunicazioni.it/news/pagina198.html |date=2007-12-27 }} {{in lang|it}} Retrieved on 2007-10-10</ref><ref name="Min. of Communications2">[http://www.comunicazioni.it/news/pagina242.html " DDL Riforma Rai"] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20071213063227/http://www.comunicazioni.it/news/pagina242.html |date=2007-12-13 }} {{in lang|it}} Italian Ministry of Communications, Retrieved on 2007-10-10</ref> In 1950, RAI became one of the 23 founding members of the [[European Broadcasting Union]].
RAI broadcasts are also received in surrounding countries, including [[Albania]], [[Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia]], [[Croatia]], France, [[Malta]], [[Monaco]], [[Montenegro]], [[San Marino]], [[Slovenia]], Switzerland, Serbia, [[Tunisia]] and the [[Vatican City]], and elsewhere on [[pay television]] and some channels FTA across Europe including UK on the Hotbird satellite. Half of RAI's revenues come from [[Television licence|broadcast receiving licence]] fees, the remainder from the sale of advertising time.<ref name="Min. of Communications1">[http://www.comunicazioni.it/news/pagina198.html "Basta con il governo padrone, così cambierà la Tv pubblica"]. {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20071227090924/http://www.comunicazioni.it/news/pagina198.html |date=2007-12-27 }} {{in lang|it}}. Retrieved on 2007-10-10.</ref><ref name="Min. of Communications2">[http://www.comunicazioni.it/news/pagina242.html " DDL Riforma Rai"]. {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20071213063227/http://www.comunicazioni.it/news/pagina242.html |date=2007-12-13 }} {{in lang|it}}. Italian Ministry of Communications. Retrieved on 2007-10-10.</ref> In 1950, RAI became one of the 23 founding members of the [[European Broadcasting Union]].


== History ==
== Structure ==
RAI is 99% owned by the [[Ministry of Economy and Finance (Italy)|Italian Government Ministry of Economy and Finance]] and is the sole licensee ({{lang|it|concessionaria in esclusiva}}) of the radio, television, and multimedia broadcasting public service. For this reason, the agreement with the Government prescribes a series of rules and guarantees that Rai must follow to ensure fair public service to the citizens.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mise.gov.it/index.php/it/comunicazioni/televisione/rai#:~:text=La%20RAI%20%2D%20Radiotelevisione%20Italiana%2C%20%C3%A8,un'informazione%20completa%20e%20imparziale | title=RAI |website=Mise.gov.it|language=it|date=|access-date=25 June 2023}}</ref>


Management and Board of Directors are elected by the ruling Parliament through the Parliamentary Commission for the General Direction and Supervision of Broadcasting Services ({{lang|it|Commissione parlamentare per l'indirizzo generale e la vigilanza dei servizi radiotelevisivi}}), every three years, in agreement with almost all parliamentary exponents, usually following the political side of the majority and leaving some space for minor roles to minority parties exponents.<ref>''RAI under the Center-Right: Wither 50 Years of Public Service Television?'' by Matthew Hibberd, in ''Italian Politics: Vol. 19, Italy between Europeanization and Domestic Politics'',</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iltempo.it/politica/2013/09/06/rai-faziosa-brunetta-lancia-l-osservatorio-online-1.1169522|title=''RAI under the Center-Right: Wither 50 Years of Public Service Television?'' by Matthew Hibberd, in ''Italian Politics: Vol. 19, Italy between Europeanization and Domestic Politics'', 2003, Berghahn Books}}</ref>

RAI is formally a private [[joint-stock company]] ({{lang|it|[[società per azioni]]}}), although all stocks are state-owned; its company statute describes how the strict relationship with the Republic is also ruled by different national laws. The most recent one is the 2015 {{lang|it|Riforma della Rai}}, or "RAI Reform", i.e. the 2015 law no. 220, including the {{lang|it|Testo unico della Radiotelevisione}} ("Consolidated Law on Radio and Television"). RAI and broadcasting are supervised by the commission, which rules also economic budgets and main regulations, including public service's electoral segments during electoral campaigns.
== History ==
=== 1924 ===
=== 1924 ===
'''[[Unione Radiofonica Italiana]]''' (URI) was formed in 1924 with the backing of the [[Marconi Company]] following a model adopted in other European countries. URI made its inaugural broadcast &mdash; a speech by [[Benito Mussolini]] at [[Teatro dell'Opera di Roma|Teatro Costanzi]] &mdash; on 5 October. Regular programming began the following evening, with a quartet performing [[Joseph Haydn|Haydn]]'s Quartet No. 7 in A major from the Palazzo Corradi. At 21.00 [[Central European Time|CET]], Ines Donarelli Viviani announced for the first time: "''URI&mdash;Unione Radiofonica Italiana'' Rome station 1RO 425 metres [[wavelength]]. To all those who are listening our greetings, good evening".<ref>[http://www.radiomarconi.com/marconi/donarelli.wav The Origins of radio broadcasting in Italy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807220037/http://www.radiomarconi.com/marconi/donarelli.wav |date=7 August 2016 }} Comitato Guglielmo Marconi International (retrieved 27 November 2011)</ref> [[Guglielmo Marconi]]'s ''S.A. Radiofono&mdash;Società Italiana per le Radiocomunicazioni Circolari'' (Radiofono) held 85% of URI shares and [[Western Electric]]'s ''Società Italiana Radio Audizioni Circolari'' (SIRAC) held the remaining 15%.
{{lang|it|[[Unione Radiofonica Italiana]]|i=no}} (URI) was formed in 1924 with the backing of the [[Marconi Company]] following a model adopted in other European countries. URI made its inaugural broadcast &mdash; a speech by [[Benito Mussolini]] (1883–1945) at [[Teatro dell'Opera di Roma|Teatro Costanzi]] &mdash; on 5 October. Regular programming began the following evening, with a quartet performing [[Joseph Haydn|Haydn]]'s Quartet No. 7 in A major from Palazzo Corradi. At 21.00 [[Central European Time|CET]], Ines Donarelli Viviani announced for the first time: "{{lang|it|URI&mdash;Unione Radiofonica Italiana|i=no}} Rome station 1RO 425 metres [[wavelength]]. To all those who are listening our greetings, good evening".<ref>[http://www.radiomarconi.com/marconi/donarelli.wav The Origins of radio broadcasting in Italy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807220037/http://www.radiomarconi.com/marconi/donarelli.wav |date=7 August 2016 }} Comitato Guglielmo Marconi International (retrieved 27 November 2011)</ref> [[Guglielmo Marconi]]'s {{lang|it|S.A. Radiofono&mdash;Società Italiana per le Radiocomunicazioni Circolari|i=no}} ({{lang|it|Radiofono}}) held 85% of URI shares and [[Western Electric]]'s {{lang|it|Società Italiana Radio Audizioni Circolari|i=no}} (SIRAC) held the remaining 15%.


Under the provisions of Royal Decree No. 1067 of 8 February 1923, wireless broadcasting became a state monopoly under the control of the Ministry of Posts and Telegraphs; URI was commissioned to provide services for a minimum of six years pursuant to Royal Decree No. 2191 of 14 October 1924 ''"Concessione dei servizi radioauditivi circolari alla Società Anonima Unione Radiofonica Italiana"''.<ref>''[[Gazzetta Ufficiale]]'' No. 11 of 15 January 1925 pp. 164-167</ref> However, when URI's contract expired in 1927, it was succeeded under Royal Decree Law No. 2207 of 17 November 1927 by the partially nationalised '''[[Ente Italiano per le Audizioni Radiofoniche]]''' (EIAR), which became ''Radio Audizioni Italiane S.p.A.'' (RAI) with investment from ''Società Idroelettrica Piemontese'' (SIP) in 1944.
Under the provisions of Royal Decree No. 1067 of 8 February 1923, wireless broadcasting became a state monopoly under the control of the Ministry of Posts and Telegraphs; URI was commissioned to provide services for a minimum of six years pursuant to Royal Decree No. 2191 of 14 October 1924 {{lang|it|Concessione dei servizi radioauditivi circolari alla Società Anonima Unione Radiofonica Italiana}}.<ref>''[[Gazzetta Ufficiale]]'' No. 11 of 15 January 1925 pp. 164-167</ref> When URI's contract expired in 1927, it was succeeded under Royal Decree Law No. 2207 of 17 November 1927 by the partially nationalised {{lang|it|[[Ente Italiano per le Audizioni Radiofoniche]]|i=no}} (EIAR), which became {{lang|it|Radio Audizioni Italiane S.p.A.|i=no}} (RAI) with investment from {{lang|it|[[Società Idroelettrica Piemontese]]|i=no}} (SIP) in 1944.


===1940s===
===1940s===
During the reconstruction following [[World War II]], much of RAI's early programming was influenced by the "[[John Reith, 1st Baron Reith#"Reithianism"|Reithian]]" style of the [[BBC]]. The emphasis was on educational content. Programs like ''Non è mai troppo tardi'' and ''Un viaggio al Po'' introduced people to what life was like in other parts of the country, at a time when most people could not afford to travel.
During the reconstruction following [[World War II]], much of RAI's early programming was influenced by the "[[John Reith, 1st Baron Reith#"Reithianism"|Reithian]]" style of the [[BBC]]. The emphasis was on educational content. Programs like {{lang|it|Non è mai troppo tardi}} and {{lang|it|Un viaggio al Po}} introduced people to what life was like in other parts of the country, at a time when most people could not afford to travel.


Over the following years the RAI made various changes to its services. It reorganised its radio stations in November 1946 into two national networks, ''Rete Rossa'' and ''Rete Azzurra'' ("Red Network" and "Blue Network"). It added the culture-based ''Terzo Programma'' in October 1950. On 1 January 1952 the ''Rete Rossa'' became the ''Programma Nazionale'' (focusing on informational content) and the ''Rete Azzurra'' became the ''Secondo Programma'' (with a greater emphasis on entertainment). The three radio channels eventually became today's [[Rai Radio 1]], [[Rai Radio 2]], and [[Rai Radio 3]].
Over the following years, the RAI made various changes to its services. It reorganized its radio stations in November 1946 into two national networks, {{lang|it|Rete Rossa}} and {{lang|it|Rete Azzurra}} ("Red Network" and "Blue Network"). It added the culture-based {{lang|it|Terzo Programma}} in October 1950. On 1 January 1952, the {{lang|it|Rete Rossa}} became the {{lang|it|Programma Nazionale}} (focusing on informational content) and the {{lang|it|Rete Azzurra}} became the {{lang|it|Secondo Programma}} (with a greater emphasis on entertainment). The three radio channels eventually became today's [[Rai Radio 1]], [[Rai Radio 2]], and [[Rai Radio 3]].


===1950s===
===1950s===
In 1954 the state-owned holding company [[Istituto per la Ricostruzione Industriale]] (IRI) became the sole shareholder and IRI – now renamed ''RAI&mdash;Radiotelevisione italiana'' to reflect its extended responsibilities – finally began a regular television service. On 3 January at 11.00 [[Central European Time|CET]], the first RAI television announcer presented the day's schedule, which was broadcast from the service's [[Milan]] headquarters and relay stations in [[Turin]] and [[Rome]]. At 14.30, the first regular programme in Italian television history was broadcast: ''Arrivi e partenze'', hosted by Armando Pizzo and [[Mike Bongiorno]]. The evening's entertainment was a theatre performance, ''L'osteria della posta'', written by [[Carlo Goldoni]]. 23.15 saw the start of the day's concluding programme, ''La Domenica Sportiva'' – the first edition of a weekly series which continues to this day.<ref>[http://www.ribolla2004.it/testi02/index.php retrieved on 2009-06-21] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007200202/http://www.ribolla2004.it/testi02/index.php |date=7 October 2011 }} {{in lang|it}}</ref>
In 1954, the state-owned holding company {{lang|it|[[Istituto per la Ricostruzione Industriale]]|i=no}} (IRI) became the sole shareholder and URI – now renamed {{lang|it|RAI&mdash;Radiotelevisione italiana|i=no}} to reflect its extended responsibilities – finally began a regular television service. On 3 January at 11.00 [[Central European Time|CET]], the first RAI television announcer presented the day's schedule, which was broadcast from the service's [[Milan]] headquarters and relay stations in [[Turin]] and [[Rome]]. At 14.30, the first regular programme in Italian television history was broadcast: {{lang|it|Arrivi e partenze}}, hosted by Armando Pizzo and [[Mike Bongiorno]]. The evening's entertainment was a theatre performance, {{lang|it|L'osteria della posta}}, written by [[Carlo Goldoni]]. 23.15 saw the start of the day's concluding programme, {{lang|it|La Domenica Sportiva}} – the first edition of a weekly series which continues to this day.<ref>[http://www.ribolla2004.it/testi02/index.php retrieved on 2009-06-21] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007200202/http://www.ribolla2004.it/testi02/index.php |date=7 October 2011 }} {{in lang|it}}</ref>


=== 2000s ===
=== 2000s ===
RAI was originally the subsidiary of RAI Holding S.p.A. RAI Holding was absorbed into RAI
RAI was originally the subsidiary of RAI Holding S.p.A. RAI Holding was absorbed into RAI
as of 1 December 2004, per Article 21 of Law 112/04. The RAI is governed by a nine-member Administrative Council. Seven of the members are elected by a committee of the [[Italian Parliament]]. The other two (one of which is the president) are nominated by the largest shareholder: the Ministry of Economic Development. The Council appoints the Director-General. The Director-General and the members of the Administrative Council are appointed for a renewable three-year term.
as of 1 December 2004, per Article 21 of Law 112/04.


In 2005, the government of [[Silvio Berlusconi]] proposed partial [[privatization|privatisation]] of RAI by selling 20% of ownership. This proposal was very controversial, in part because Berlusconi was the head of the leading private broadcaster [[Mediaset]]. Some critics stated that Mediaset could become the buyer and thus increase its dominant position. After the revelation that RAI would lose €80m ($96m, £54m) in 2006, the privatisation plan was suspended in October 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ofcomwatch.co.uk/2005/11/rai-privatization-stopped |title="RAI's privatisation is ''de facto'' suspended", its new director general, Alfredo Meocci, told a parliamentary watchdog committee. |access-date=2006-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060514012434/http://www.ofcomwatch.co.uk/2005/11/rai-privatization-stopped |archive-date=2006-05-14 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4ff81270-474e-11da-b8e5-00000e2511c8.html?nclick_check=1|title=Berlusconi halts plan to sell off state broadcaster|work=Financial Times|access-date=5 July 2015}}</ref>
The RAI is governed by a nine-member Administrative Council. Seven of the members are elected by a committee of the [[Italian Parliament]]. The other two (one of which is the President) are nominated by the largest shareholder: the Ministry of Economic Development. The Council appoints the Director-General. The Director-General and the members of the Administrative Council are appointed for a renewable three-year term.
In 2005, the government of [[Silvio Berlusconi]] proposed partial [[privatization|privatisation]] of RAI by
selling 20% ownership. This proposal was very controversial, in part because Berlusconi was the head of the leading private broadcaster [[Mediaset]]. Some critics claimed that [[Mediaset]] could become the buyer and thus increase its dominant position. However, after the revelation that RAI would lose €80m ($96m, £54m) in 2006, the privatisation plan was suspended in October 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ofcomwatch.co.uk/2005/11/rai-privatization-stopped |title="RAI's privatisation is ''de facto'' suspended", its new director general, Alfredo Meocci, told a parliamentary watchdog committee. |access-date=2006-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060514012434/http://www.ofcomwatch.co.uk/2005/11/rai-privatization-stopped |archive-date=2006-05-14 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4ff81270-474e-11da-b8e5-00000e2511c8.html?nclick_check=1|title=Berlusconi halts plan to sell off state broadcaster|work=Financial Times|access-date=5 July 2015}}</ref>


=== 2010s ===
=== 2010s ===
On 18 May 2010, Raisat received a major upgrade and re-branded with a new logo and a new name. It and all of the sister channels dropped the ''sat'' part from the name and became [[Rai YoYo]], [[Rai 5]] (formerly known as [[Rai Extra]]), [[Rai Premium]], and [[Rai Movie]] (formerly known as [[Raisat Cinema]]). On 11 June 2013, RAI was one of the few European broadcasters to condemn and criticize the closure of Greece's state broadcaster [[Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation|ERT]]. RAI is 99% owned by the Italian Government Ministry of Economy and Finance, so it is said that it broadcasts content that may politically influence people.<ref name="confronti.net">{{cite web|url=http://www.confronti.net/confronti/2011/05/il-pubblico-in-fuga-da-una-rai-faziosa/|title=Il pubblico in fuga da una Rai faziosa|date=17 May 2011|access-date=5 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="iltempo.it">{{cite web|url=http://www.iltempo.it/politica/2013/09/06/rai-faziosa-brunetta-lancia-l-osservatorio-online-1.1169522|title="Rai faziosa" Brunetta lancia l'osservatorio online|access-date=5 July 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924045811/http://www.iltempo.it/politica/2013/09/06/rai-faziosa-brunetta-lancia-l-osservatorio-online-1.1169522|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 18 May 2010, Raisat received a major upgrade and re-branded with a new logo and a new name. It and all of the sister channels dropped the ''sat'' part from the name and became [[Rai YoYo]], [[Rai 5]] (formerly known as [[Rai Extra]]), [[Rai Premium]], and [[Rai Movie]] (formerly known as [[Raisat Cinema]]).

On 11 June 2013, RAI was one of the few known European broadcasters to condemn and criticize the closure of Greece's state broadcaster [[Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation|ERT]].

RAI is 99% owned by the Italian Government Ministry of Economy and Finance, so it is said that it broadcasts content that may politically influence people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.confronti.net/confronti/2011/05/il-pubblico-in-fuga-da-una-rai-faziosa/|title=Il pubblico in fuga da una Rai faziosa|date=17 May 2011|access-date=5 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iltempo.it/politica/2013/09/06/rai-faziosa-brunetta-lancia-l-osservatorio-online-1.1169522|title="Rai faziosa" Brunetta lancia l'osservatorio online|access-date=5 July 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924045811/http://www.iltempo.it/politica/2013/09/06/rai-faziosa-brunetta-lancia-l-osservatorio-online-1.1169522|url-status=dead}}</ref>


=== Corporate identity ===
=== Corporate identity ===
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Logo of RAI (1954-1983).svg|The Erberto Carboni logo used from 3 January 1954 to 1983.
File:Logo of RAI (1954-1983).svg|The Erberto Carboni logo used from 3 January 1954 to 1970
File:Logo of RAI (1983-1988).png|Rai logo from 3 October 1983 to 26 September 1988 (Studio ARA).
File:Logo of RAI (1983-1988).png|Rai logo from 3 October 1983 to 26 September 1988 (Studio ARA)
File:Logo of RAI (1988-2000).svg|The Giorgio Macchi redesign used from 26 September 1988 to 30 September 2000.
File:Logo of RAI (1988-2000).svg|The Giorgio Macchi redesign used from 26 September 1988 to 16 March 2000
File:Logo of RAI (2000-2010).svg|The "butterfly" logo used from 1 October 2000 to 17 May 2010 (Società AReA).
File:Logo of RAI (2000-2010).svg|The "butterfly" logo used from 16 March 2000 to 17 May 2010 (AReA)
File:Logo of RAI (2010-2016).svg|Rai logo from 18 May 2010 to 11 September 2016 (Società FrameByFrame).
File:Logo of RAI (2010-2016).svg|Rai logo from 18 May 2010 to 11 September 2016 (FrameByFrame)
File:Logo of RAI.svg|Current variation of the logo introduced on 12 September 2016.
File:Logo of RAI.svg|Current variation of the logo introduced on 12 September 2016
</gallery>
</gallery>


The Alberto Ribera logo was introduced in 1967, however, this did not have significant application except on studios and portable cameras. A second variation of the Carboni logo was introduced in 1977, which was not officially adopted but appeared in some graphics, including that of the time signal.<ref>[http://www.rai.it/dl/docs/1426244578970Storia_del_logo_Rai.pdf Storia ed evoluzione del logo] RAI - Radiotelevisione italiana (retrieved 14 March 2020)</ref>
The Alberto Ribera logo was introduced in 1967, however, this did not have significant application except on studios and portable cameras. A second variation of the Carboni logo was introduced in 1977, which was not officially adopted but appeared in some graphics, including that of the time signal.<ref>[http://www.rai.it/dl/docs/1426244578970Storia_del_logo_Rai.pdf Storia ed evoluzione del logo] RAI - Radiotelevisione italiana (retrieved 14 March 2020)</ref>

== Controversies ==
=== Political fairness and balance between public service and commercial TV market===
Rai's broadcasts content and nominees are frequently accused of political bias,<ref name="confronti.net"/><ref name="iltempo.it"/> depending both on the management for each channel or programme, and on the lack of meritocracy{{what?|date=August 2023}} in contracts with television hosts and also technicians, also concerting cachets{{what?|date=August 2023}} and salaries.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://tv.fanpage.it/bruno-vespa-fabio-fazio-e-il-caso-stipendi-rai-la-verita-sui-due-contratti-e-le-loro-differenze/ | title=Bruno Vespa, Fabio Fazio e il caso stipendi Rai: La verità sui due contratti e le loro differenze | date=3 February 2019 }}</ref> However, many people underline that Rai needs to balance political equity and public services with the market rules and competitors.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rivistailmulino.it/a/rai-servizio-pubblico-o-tv-commerciale | title=Rai: Servizio pubblico o Tv commerciale? | date=30 May 2016 }}</ref> All these issues are ongoing.

Rai's main channels are considered slightly politically oriented: Rai 1 is liberal or centre-right, Rai 2 is usually more right-oriented, while Rai 3 typically has the majority of left oriented programmes and hosts [[Fabio Fazio]] and [[Bianca Berlinguer]], or the journalistic deep investigation programme ''Report'', famous for its investigations over far-right scandals.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.occrp.org/en/daily/13382-italian-broadcaster-faces-probe-after-uncovering-lega-nord-scandal | title=Italian Broadcaster Faces Probe After Uncovering Lega Nord Scandal }}</ref> This issue in Italy is referred as {{lang|it|lottizzazione}} and is yet to be solved.

=== Political censorship and civil rights advocacy controversies ===
Rai is frequently subjected to controversies and censorship accusations regarding political matters, especially civil rights and LGBT issues. The broadcaster was strongly accused in 2008 of cutting the gay love scene of the Oscar-winning movie ''[[Brokeback Mountain]]''. Rai initially apologized for the cut, explaining that the cut was due to a pre-cut edition originally planned for the prime-time slot, and wasn't corrected when airing was shifted to the late-night slot. Critics noticed that similar scenes of heterosexual lovers were never cut out before in prime-time and reinforcing the accusation of homophobic censorship.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/italy-brokeback-idUKLA53910420081210 | title=Italy's RAI chided for cutting Brokeback Mountain | newspaper=Reuters | date=10 December 2008 }}</ref>
The company rescheduled a new uncut version of the movie, but this was aired again in an even later time slot, a choice seen as a confirmation of the accusation. Only two years later, the movie aired again with all homosexual sex and kisses cut off. Rai was forced again to apologise, accusing a problem" with the pre-cut edition by the distribution company and a lack of fact-checking by the Rai employee.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.gay.it/brokeback-mountain-il-bacio-censurato-di-nuovo-dalla-rai | title=Brokeback Mountain: Il bacio censurato di nuovo dalla Rai - Gay.it | newspaper=Gay.it }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fW_KDwAAQBAJ&dq=rai+brokeback+mountain+censorship+lgbt&pg=PA97|title=''Queering Italian Media'' by Sole Anatrone and Julia Hem, 2022, Lexington Books|isbn=9781793616111 |last1=Anatrone |first1=Sole |last2=Heim |first2=Julia |year=2020 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield }}</ref>

In 2011, episode 125 of the German TV Soap ''Um Himmels Willen'' (literally "For Heaven's Sake"), shown in Italy since 2004, was entitled ''Romeo and Romeo'' and due to screen on Rai 1 but was left out in order to "avoid controversy", according to the broadcaster.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.indexoncensorship.org/2011/09/gay-marriage-screened-banned-from-italian-state-tv-channel/ | title=Gay marriage banned from Italian state TV channel | date=12 September 2011 }}</ref> In 2016, during the first clear broadcast of the show ''[[How to Get Away with Murder]]'', on Rai 2, the gay kisses for one of the main characters (portrayed by [[Jack Falahee]]) were completely cut off. Rai apologized again, stating that the incident was "merely the mistake of an overzealous editor".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.corriere.it/spettacoli/16_luglio_09/bacio-gay-rai2-censura-a8277610-45b8-11e6-be0f-475f9043ad28.shtml | title=Bacio gay: Rai2 lo censura. Polemic social, la replica: "Eccesso di pudore" | date=9 July 2016 }}</ref> Criticism on the social media platforms was so strong that Falahee and showrunner [[Shonda Rhimes]] both tweeted against the network's "inexcusable" censorship.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://people.com/tv/shonda-rhimes-jack-falahee-blast-rai-uno-for-censoring-hgtawm-gay-sex-scene/ | title=Shonda Rhimes, Jack Falahee Blast Rai Uno for Censoring HGTAWM Gay Sex Scene }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wired.it/play/televisione/2016/07/11/rai2-censura-coliver/ | title=La scena gay tagliata e la vera sfida Rai verso la modernità | date=11 July 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/italian-broadcaster-rai-apologizes-cutting-909631/ | title=Italian Broadcaster Rai Apologizes for Cutting 'How to Get Away with Murder' Gay Sex Scene | website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] | date=10 July 2016 }}</ref>

====Fedez controversy====
In 2021, another accusation was made against Rai by famous Italian rapper [[Fedez]]. During the 1 May {{lang|it|Concertone}}, a traditional Italian TV broadcast concert in celebration of the [[International Workers' Day]], the rapper was invited to perform and have a speech on the stage. The rapper honored the entertainment workers affected by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] and spent half of his speech in support of legislation that would punish [[violence against women]] and [[violence against LGBT people|LGBT people]] as [[hate crime]]s in Italy. During his speech, he recalled all the political exponents' hate speech (confirmed by videos or sentenced by court) during the late years, and accused Rai 3's executive of trying censoring his speech by order of superiors as "this is how it works". Rai immediately denied all accusations and Fedez leaked a recorded audio of the conversation between him and the executives, where managers and hosts (declaring their names and roles to him) tried to censor his speech, by "asking you to adapt to a system that you probably don't get".<ref name="BBC News">{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56966359 | title=Italian rapper Fedez accuses state TV of censorship attempt | work=BBC News | date=2 May 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/italian-rapper-attacks-league-over-lgbt-accuses-rai-censorship-2021-05-02/ | title=Italian rapper attacks League over LGBT+, accuses RAI of censorship | newspaper=Reuters | date=2 May 2021 | last1=Balmer | first1=Crispian }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/03/state-broadcaster-in-italy-under-fire-after-censoring-rapper-fedez-rai | title=State broadcaster in Italy under fire after 'censoring' rapper | website=[[TheGuardian.com]] | date=3 May 2021 }}</ref>

After the video was reposted by all national media and web news sites, Rai sued the rapper, while a parliamentary investigation was opened. Fedez replied he was proud and ready to face the court, and he said he was available as a testimony for the Rai's Superior Commission.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2021/05/24/news/omofobia_lega_la_rai_querela_fedez_atto_dovuto-302607899/ | title=Concertone, Lega: La Rai querela Fedez, atto dovuto. Ma lui: "Io orgogliosissimo, rifarei quel che ho fatto" | date=24 May 2021 }}</ref> Fedez's accusation was one of the biggest media scandals of Rai, as not only all political parties took sides in the cause (centre and left in favor of the Rapper, including ex-prime ministers [[Giuseppe Conte]] and [[Enrico Letta]], while right and far-right parties in favor of Rai, including [[Matteo Salvini]] and [[Giorgia Meloni]]'s colleagues).<ref name="BBC News"/> The scandal increased when the parliamentary commission denied a hearing with Fedez, only speaking with Rai's executives. In the very much criticized email answer (which screenshot was published by Fedez on Instagram) the Office of the Commission stated that even if not prohibited by law, it was not custom to invite external people to the Commission investigation. Fedez replied to the email with only three clown emojis, a fact that further angered the far-right politicians.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.tpi.it/spettacoli/tv/fedez-commissione-vigilanza-rai-mail-emoji-tre-pagliacci-20210526789241/ | title=Concertone, Fedez invia alla Commissione di Vigilanza Rai una mail con tre pagliacci | date=26 May 2021 }}</ref>

In July, the new board of Rai was elected, including the CEO and executives; this led to Rai's CEO Fuortes revealing not only the withdrawal of the action in court for failing all the required accusatory elements but also that no legal action was ever meant by the new management. Far-right exponents opened a parliamentary question over the withdrawal.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ilmessaggero.it/italia/fedez_rai_causa_censura_primo_maggio_concertone_ultime_notizie-6230813.html | title=Fedez, la Rai rinuncia a fargli causa dopo le accuse di censura al Concertone del Primo Maggio | date=October 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ilgiorno.it/cronaca/querela-rai-fedez-1.6911175 | title=Sorpresa in commissione Vigilanza: La Rai non ha mai querelato Fedez | date=12 October 2021 }}</ref> After the CEO's declaration, no other details were said about any apology or agreement with Fedez: nonetheless, the rapper was invited by [[Fabio Fazio]] to the first episode of the new season of his late show.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.diregiovani.it/2021/10/02/419129-fedez-rai-3-censura-querela.dg/ | title=Pace fatta tra Rai e Fedez: Ritirata la querela e ritorno in tv per il rapper | date=2 October 2021 }}</ref> Following the 2021 controversy, Fedez reinforced some controversy against Rai when he announced he was not invited to the 2022 Concertone for the first time.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/cultura/musica/2022/05/01/concertone-fedez-polemico-mio-invito-deve-essersi-perso_1bd8b13a-bd05-4208-ad9a-f677cd72348d.html | title=Concertone: Fedez polemico, 'mio invito deve essersi perso' - Musica | date=May 2022 }}</ref>

====Editorial Independence====

Shortly after the Meloni government took office in October 2022, influential managers were replaced, and well-known journalists and presenters such as Fabio Fazio, Bianca Berlinguer and Lucia Annunziata left the RAI. In 2023, Giorgia Meloni was accused of pressuring out the head of RAI for not supporting her political agenda.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.euronews.com/culture/2023/05/10/press-and-opera-clampdown-how-is-giorgia-meloni-taking-control-of-italian-cultural-institu | title=How is Giorgia Meloni taking control of Italian cultural institutions? | date=10 May 2023 }}</ref> In 2024, Meloni called for her government's ministers to be given more speaking time in the [[Elections to the European Parliament|European election campaign]]. In doing so, she called on the RAI to violate the law "par conditiono", according to which all parties must receive the same amount of broadcasting time. The resistance to this was massive, and the plans are off the table for the time being.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pongratz |first=Elisabeth |title=Italiens Staatsender RAI: Zensurvorwurf gegen Regierungschefin Meloni |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/europa/angriff-pressefreiheit-100.html |access-date=2024-04-23 |website=tagesschau.de |language=de}}</ref>

==== Accusing of censoship on Liberation Day 2024 ====
[[Antonio Scurati]] a well knwon italian writer and expert of the history of facism. Scurati was commissioned by the public broadcaster RAI to read a speech on the day of liberation from fascism ([[Italian language|Italian]]: ''Festa della Liberazione''''')''' on 25 April. But at short notice Scurati was disinvited again and was no longer allowed to give his speech. But the presenter of the show doesn't want to accept that and quickly decides to read out his words in front of the camera.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Pongratz |first=Elisabeth |title=Italiens Staatsender RAI: Zensurvorwurf gegen Regierungschefin Meloni |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/europa/angriff-pressefreiheit-100.html |access-date=2024-04-23 |website=tagesschau.de |language=de}}</ref>

A passage from Scurati states: "As long as those who govern us do not utter the word [[anti-fascism]], the specter of fascism will continue to haunt the house of [[Politics of Italy|Italian democracy]]." It is a clear criticism of Prime Minister Meloni, because the leader of the Fratelli d'Italia party has not distanced herself from her party's fascist legacy.

He was turned down for ideological and political reasons, Scurati told the [[ARD (broadcaster)|German public broadcaster ARD]]. "I criticized the fact that, during the 19 months of Meloni's government, the Prime Minister insisted on the reading of history that corresponds to her [[Neo-fascism|neo-fascist background]], i.e. she shifted the blame for the slaughter and massacres onto the German Nazis, even though the fascists of [[Italian Social Republic|Salò]] were accomplices and collaborators."<ref name=":0" />

=== Budget and unjustified expenses ===
Rai was investigated and fined (with many executives arrested or fired) for unjustified expenses and suspicious gifts.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2017/10/25/news/vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv-179285611/ | title=La Finanza in Rai, indagine dopo esposto sulle spese di viaggio di Monica Maggioni | date=25 October 2017 }}</ref> It was noticed that, frequently, dinners, expensive watches and jewellery were all paid by Rai for unknown people outside the company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espresso.repubblica.it/dettaglio/Rai-lorgia-del-potere/2025919|title=Rai: l'orgia del potere|author=Denise Pardo|date=15 May 2008|editor=[[L'Espresso]]|access-date=6 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080622103112/http://espresso.repubblica.it/dettaglio/Rai-lorgia-del-potere/2025919|archive-date=22 June 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2022, a new scandal was investigated by the [[Guardia di Finanza]] surrounding corruption and bribes. At least 5 people in total were arrested, while the investigation is still ongoing.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2022/02/24/news/rai_inchiesta_appalti-339095893/ | title=Appalti Rai: l'Indagine si allarga, nel mirino maxi-commessa a società di ristorazione | date=24 February 2022 }}</ref>


==TV channels==
==TV channels==
===Current channels===
===Current channels===
====In high definition and ultra definition====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
! Logo
! Name
! Name
! Channel
! Type
! Launched
! Launched
! Description
! Description
|-
|-
|[[File:Rai 1 - Logo 2016.svg|48px|center]]
|[[Rai 1]]
|'''[[Rai 1]]'''
|501
| Free-to-air<br />Satellite
|3 January 1954
|3 January 1954
|[[generalist channel|generalist]] and family-oriented
|Generalist and family-oriented
|-
|-
|[[File:Rai 2 - Logo 2016.svg|48px|center]]
|[[Rai 2]]
|'''[[Rai 2]]'''
|502
| Free-to-air<br />Satellite
|4 November 1961
|4 November 1961
|generalist, catering towards urban audiences
|Generalist, catering towards youth/urban audiences
|-
|-
|[[File:Rai 3 - Logo 2016.svg|48px|center]]
|[[Rai 3]]
|'''[[Rai 3]]'''
|503, 3
| Free-to-air<br />Satellite
|15 December 1979
|15 December 1979
|generalist and regional programming
|Cultural and regional programming
|-
|-
|[[File:Rai 4 - Logo 2016.svg|48px|center]]
|[[Rai 4]]
|'''[[Rai 4]]'''
|21
| Free-to-air<br />Satellite
|14 July 2008
|14 July 2008
|Youth/urban programming and movies
|TV series, movies and shows
|-
|-
|[[File:Rai 5 - Logo 2017.svg|48px|center]]
|[[Rai 5]]
|'''[[Rai 5]]'''
|23
| Free-to-air<br />Satellite
|26 November 2010
|26 November 2010
|Arts and culture programming
|culture, music, documentaries
|-
|-
| {{ill|Rai 4K|it}}
|[[File:Rai Movie - Logo 2017.svg|56px|center]]
|17 June 2016
|'''[[Rai Movie]]'''
|[[Ultra-high-definition television|Ultra HD 4K]] programming channel
|24
|-
| Free-to-air<br />Satellite
|[[Rai Movie]]
|1 July 1999
|1 July 1999
|Films
|movies
|-
|-
|[[File:Rai Premium - Logo 2017.svg|56px|center]]
|[[Rai Premium]]
|'''[[Rai Premium]]'''
|25
| Free-to-air<br />Satellite
|31 July 2003
|31 July 2003
|fiction
|Popular fiction and films
|-
|-
|[[File:Rai Gulp - Logo 2017.svg|56px|center]]
|[[Rai Gulp]]
|'''[[Rai Gulp]]'''
|42
| Free-to-air<br />Satellite
|1 June 2007
|1 June 2007
|Shows for pre-teens
|Kids 4-14
|-
|-
|[[File:Rai Yoyo - Logo 2017.svg|56px|center]]
|[[Rai Yoyo]]
|'''[[Rai Yoyo]]'''
|43
|Free-to-air
|1 November 2006
|1 November 2006
|Shows for young children
|kids
|-
|-
|[[File:Rai News 24 - Logo 2013.svg|56px|center]]
|[[Rai News 24]]
|'''[[Rai News24]]'''
|48
| Free-to-air<br />Satellite
|26 April 1999
|26 April 1999
|all news
|Rolling news coverage
|-
|-
|[[File:Rai Storia - Logo 2017.svg|48px|center]]
|[[Rai Storia]]
|'''[[Rai Storia]]'''
|54
| Free-to-air
|2 February 2009
|2 February 2009
|Documentaries about history and culture
|history
|-
|-
|[[Rai Sport]]
|[[File:Rai Scuola - Logo 2017.svg|56px|center]]
|14 September 2015
|'''[[Rai Scuola]]'''
|Sports coverage news
|57
|-
| Free-to-air<br />Satellite
|[[Rai Scuola]]
|19 October 2009
|19 October 2009
|educational
|Documentary, cultural and educational
|}

Programming on Rai 1/2/3 and Sport via satellite is encrypted outside Italy due to programming and sports rights.

====International====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
! Name
|[[File:Rai Sport - Logo 2017.svg|56px|center]]
! Launched
|'''[[Rai Sport]]'''
! Description
|146
| Free-to-air
|1 February 1999
|sports
|-
|-
| [[Rai Italia]]
|[[File:Rai 1 HD - Logo 2016.svg|48px|center]]
| 1 January 1992
|'''Rai 1 HD'''
| Catered towards Italian expatriates
|1
|Free-to-air
|25 October 2013
|HD version of Rai 1
|-
|-
| {{ill|Rai World Premium|it}}
|[[File:Rai 2 HD - Logo 2016.svg|48px|center]]
| 6 May 2013
|'''Rai 2 HD'''
| Italian culture and national TV shows
|2
|}
|Free-to-air

|25 October 2013
====Regional====
|HD version of Rai 2
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
! Name
|[[File:Rai 3 HD - Logo 2016.svg|48px|center]]
! Launched
|'''Rai 3 HD'''
! Language
|103
! Region
|Free-to-air
|25 October 2013
|HD version of Rai 3
|-
|-
| {{ill|Rai Alto Adige|it}}
|[[File:Rai 4 HD - Logo 2016.svg|48px|center]]
| 1960
|'''Rai 4 HD'''
| [[Italian language|Italian]]
|521*
| [[Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol]]
|Free-to-air
|22 January 2016
|HD version of Rai 4
|-
|-
| [[Rai Ladinia]]
|[[File:Rai 5 HD - Logo 2017.svg|48px|center]]
| 26 September 1988
|'''Rai 5 HD'''
| [[Ladin language|Ladin]]
| -
| [[Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol]]
|Free-to-view
|19 September 2016
|HD version of Rai 5
|-
|-
|[[File:Rai Movie HD - Logo 2017.svg|48px|center]]
| [[Rai Südtirol (TV channel)|Rai Südtirol]]
| 7 February 1966
|'''Rai Movie HD'''
| [[German language|German]]
| -
| [[Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol]]
|Free-to-view
|26 May 2016
|HD version of Rai Movie
|-
|-
| {{ill|Rai 3 BIS FJK|it}}
|[[File:Rai Premium HD - Logo 2017.svg|48px|center]]
| 1995
|'''Rai Premium HD'''
| Italian and [[Slovene language|Slovene]]
| -
| Friuli-Venezia Giulia/Furlanija Julijska Krajina
|Free-to-air
|26 May 2016
|HD version of Rai Premium
|-
|[[File:Rai Sport + HD - Logo 2017.svg|48px|center]]
|'''[[Rai Sport|Rai Sport + HD]]'''
|58
|Free-to-air
|14 September 2015
|HD version of Rai Sport
|-
|[[File:Rai 4K - Logo 2017.svg|48px|center]]
|'''Rai 4K'''
|210
|Free-to-view
|17 June 2016
|Ultra Definition channel
|-
|[[File:Rai Italia - Logo 2017.svg|56px|center]]
|'''[[Rai Italia]]'''
|
| International
|1 January 1992
| reaching out to Italian expatriates
|-
|[[File:Rai World Premium - Logo 2017.svg|center|56x56px]]
|'''Rai World Premium'''
|
| International
|6 May 2013
| Italian culture
|-
|[[File:Rai Ladinia - Logo 2018.png|56px|center]]
|'''[[Rai Ladinia]]'''
|
| Regional
|1988
| [[Ladin language]] channel in [[Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol]]
|-
|[[File:Rai Südtirol - Logo 2019.svg|67px|center]]
|'''[[Rai Südtirol (TV channel)|Rai Südtirol]]'''
|
| Regional
|1966
| [[German language]] channel in [[Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol]]
|-
|[[File:Rai 3 Bis FJK 2016.png|56px|center]]
|'''Rai 3 BIS FJK'''
|810
| Regional
|1995
| [[Slovene language]] channel in Friuli-Venezia Giulia/Furlanija Julijska Krajina
|}
|}
Due to the broadcasting rights of the free-to-air satellite channels Rai 1, Rai 2, Rai 3 and Rai Sport in some programs, broadcasts outside Italy are encrypted. In particular, it takes part in copyrighted programs (mostly foreign productions) and international sports competitions. In the past, it was encrypted as Discrete in analog satellite television broadcasts due to broadcasting rights outside Italy. Rai channels will not be broadcast due to broadcasting rights on digital platforms outside Italy.


=== Discontinued channels ===
=== Discontinued channels ===
* [[Rai Utile|Rai Azzurri]]: [[UEFA Euro 2004]] (2004, broadcast using ''Rai Utile'' frequencies)
* [[Rai Utile|Rai Azzurri]]: [[UEFA Euro 2004]] (2004, broadcast using ''Rai Utile'' frequencies)
* [[Rai Doc]]: cultures, styles (1 April 2004 1 June 2007)
* [[Rai Doc]]: cultures, styles (1 April 2004 1 June 2007)
* [[Rai Extra]]: generalist (31 July 2003 26 November 2010)
* [[Rai Extra]]: generalist (31 July 2003 26 November 2010)
* [[Rai Utile|Rai Festival]] (broadcast using ''Rai Utile'' frequencies)
* [[Rai Utile|Rai Festival]] (broadcast using ''Rai Utile'' frequencies)
* [[Rai Futura]]: technologies, games, etc. (30 May 2005 1 February 2007, broadcast on the same frequences of ''Rai Doc'' at settled times)
* [[Rai Futura]]: technologies, video games, etc. (30 May 2005 1 February 2007, broadcast on the same frequences of ''Rai Doc'' at settled times)
* [[Rai HD]] (22 April 2008 18 September 2016)
* [[Rai HD]] (22 April 2008 18 September 2016)
* [[Rai Med]] (26 April 2001 April 2014)
* [[Rai Med]] (26 April 2001 April 2014)
* [[Rai Utile|Rai Olimpia]]: [[2004 Summer Olympics]] (2004, broadcast using Rai Utile frequencies)
* [[Rai Utile|Rai Olimpia]]: [[2004 Summer Olympics]] (2004, broadcast using Rai Utile frequencies)
* [[Rai Sport 2]] (18 May 2010 5 February 2017)
* [[Rai Sport 2]] (18 May 2010 5 February 2017)
* [[Rai Sport 2|Rai Sport 2 HD]] (1 August 19 September 2016, HD version launched for 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games)
* [[Rai Sport 2|Rai Sport 2 HD]] (1 August 19 September 2016, HD version launched for 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games)
* [[UniNettuno University TV|Rai UniNettuno Sat Uno]] (1998 April 2014)
* [[UniNettuno University TV|Rai UniNettuno Sat Uno]] (1998 April 2014)
* Rai UniNettuno Sat Due (2003 1 February 2009)
* {{ill|Rai Nettuno Sat Due|it}} (2003 1 February 2009)
* [[Rai Utile]] (4 January 2004 1 January 2008)
* [[Rai Utile]] (4 January 2004 1 January 2008)
* Rai Widescreen: [[1998 FIFA World Cup]] (1998—1999)
* Rai Widescreen: [[1998 FIFA World Cup]] (1998–1999)
* Rai On Cultura (IPTV)
* Rai On Cultura (IPTV)
* Rai On Fiction (IPTV)
* Rai On Fiction (IPTV)
Line 302: Line 246:
* Rai On Spettacolo (IPTV)
* Rai On Spettacolo (IPTV)
* Rai On Sport (IPTV)
* Rai On Sport (IPTV)
* RaiSat 1 (1997—1999)
* {{ill|RaiSat 1|it}} (1997–1999)
* RaiSat 2 (1997—1999)
* {{ill|RaiSat 2|it}} (1997–1999)
* RaiSat 3/Educational (1997—2000)
* {{ill|RaiSat 3|it}} or Rai Educational Sat (1997–2000)
* RaiSat Album (1 June 1999 30 July 2003)
* {{ill|RaiSat Album|it}} (1 June 1999 30 July 2003)
* RaiSat Art (1999 30 July 2003)
* {{ill|RaiSat Art|it}} (1999 30 July 2003)
* RaiSat Fiction (2000 30 July 2003)
* {{ill|RaiSat Fiction|it}} (2000 30 July 2003)
* [[Gambero Rosso|RaiSat Gambero Rosso Channel]] (1999 31 July 2009)
* [[Gambero Rosso|RaiSat Gambero Rosso Channel]] (1999 31 July 2009)
* RaiSat Ragazzi (1 July 1999 31 October 2006)
* {{ill|RaiSat Ragazzi|it}} (1 July 1999 31 October 2006)
* RaiSat Show (1 June 1999 31 July 2003)
* {{ill|RaiSat Show|it}} (1 June 1999 31 July 2003)
* RaiSat Smash Girls (1 November 2006 1 August 2009)
* {{ill|RaiSat Smash Girls|it}} (1 November 2006 1 August 2009)
* [[Salute!]]
* [[Salute!]] (2009–2010)
* {{ill|Yes Italia|it}} (2009–2012)


== Radio stations ==
== Radio stations ==
Line 324: Line 269:
* [[Rai Radio 3 Classica]]: classic and opera music
* [[Rai Radio 3 Classica]]: classic and opera music
* [[Rai Gr Parlamento]]: coverage of proceedings in the [[Italian Parliament]]
* [[Rai Gr Parlamento]]: coverage of proceedings in the [[Italian Parliament]]
*[[Rai Isoradio]]: for [[motorway]] users
* [[Rai Isoradio]]: for [[motorway]] users

Regional stations:
* [[Rai Südtirol (radio)|Rai Südtirol]]: [[German language|German-language]] programmes for the [[Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol]] region
* [[Rai Südtirol (radio)|Rai Südtirol]]: [[German language|German-language]] programmes for the [[Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol]] region
* [[Rai Radio Trst A]]: [[Slovene language|Slovene-language]] programmes for the [[Friuli-Venezia Giulia]]/Furlanija Julijska Krajina region
* [[Rai Radio Trst A]]: [[Slovene language|Slovene-language]] programmes for the [[Friuli-Venezia Giulia]]/Furlanija Julijska Krajina region
* {{ill|Rai Friuli Venezia Giulia|it}}: Italian, [[Friulian language|Friulian]] and Slovene language programmes; as Rai Friûl Vignesie Julie (in Friulian) and Rai Furlanija Julijska Krajina (in Slovenian)


Only on Satellite, DAB/DAB+, DTT, Filodiffusion and Web:
Only on Satellite, DAB/DAB+, DTT, Filodiffusion and Web:
* [[Rai Radio Tutta Italiana]]: only Italian music
* [[Rai Radio Tutta Italiana]]: only Italian music
* {{ill|Rai Radio Techete'|it}}: featuring items from the radio archives
* {{ill|Rai Radio Techete'|it}}: featuring items from the radio archives
* {{ill|Rai Radio Live|it}}: live music
* {{ill|Rai Radio Live Napoli|it}}: Music from Naples
* {{ill|Rai Radio Kids|it}}: station for children from 2 to 10 years old
* {{ill|Rai Radio Kids|it}}: station for children from 2 to 10 years old
* {{ill|Rai Radio 1 Sport|it}}: sports
* {{ill|Rai Radio 1 Sport|it}}: sports
* {{ill|Rai Radio 2 Indie|it}}: independent music
* No Name Radio: independent music


<gallery>
<gallery>
Rai Radio Techete' logo.svg
File:Rai Radio Techete' logo.svg
Rai Radio Live logo.svg
File:Rai Radio Live Napoli Logo 2023.svg
Rai Radio Kids logo.svg
File:Rai Radio Kids logo.svg
Rai Radio 1 Sport - Logo 2018.svg
File:Rai Radio 1 Sport - Logo 2018.svg
Rai Radio 2 Indie - Logo 2018.svg
File:No Name Radio.svg
</gallery>
</gallery>


=== Discontinued stations ===
=== Discontinued stations ===
* {{ill|RaiStereoUno|it}} (1982—1991)
* {{ill|RaiStereoUno|it}} (1982 — 1991)
* {{ill|RaiStereoDue|it}} (1982—1991)
* {{ill|RaiStereoDue|it}} (1982 — 1991)
* {{ill|RaiStereoNotte|it}} (1982–1995)
* {{ill|RaiStereoNotte|it}} (1982 — 1995)
* {{ill|RadioVerdeRai|it}} (1991—1994)
* {{ill|RadioVerdeRai|it}} (1991 — 1994)
* {{ill|StereoRai|it}} (1991–1994)
* {{ill|StereoRai|it}} (1991 — 1994)
* [[Rai Italia Radio]] (1 July 1930 — 31 December 2011)
* [[Rai Italia Radio]] (1 July 1930 — 31 December 2011)
* {{ill|Notturno Italiano|it}} (1952 — 2011)
* Radio Rai Sport
* Rai Radio 8 Opera (6 August 2015 — 11 June 2017)
* Rai Radio 8 Opera (6 August 2015 — 11 June 2017)
* {{ill|Rai Radio Indie|it}} (first Rai Radio 2 Indie; 18 June 2018 — 16 December 2022)


==Divisions and subsidiaries==
==On demand services==
{{ill|Strutture Rai|it}} (Rai Structures) is a news organization internal to Rai, or rather an internal management and division, created in order to independently manage the programs broadcast on the generalist and, in particular, thematic networks. After 2000, Rai reorganized its corporate structure with the creation of specific structures, listed here:
*[[RaiPlay]]
*[[:it:Rai Cultura|Rai Cultura]] (previously [[:it:Rai Educational|Rai Educational]] or [[:it:Rai Edu|Rai Edu]]): operates event and documentary channels
*{{ill|RaiPlay Sound|it}}
*Rai Documentari: documentary productions
*{{ill|RaiPlay Yoyo|it}}
*Rai Expo: supporting and making the public aware of the [[Expo 2015]] event in Milan
*[[Rai Fiction]]: production company for feature films, TV films, etc.
*{{ill|Rai Giornale Radio|it}}: the radio [[newsroom]]
*{{ill|Rai Gold|it}}: management of thematic channels dedicated to cinema and television series
*[[Rai Kids]]: children's programming and production company
*{{ill|Rai Meteo|it}}: [[weather forecasts]] and reports
*{{ill|Rai News|it}}: production of news and information services such as [[Televideo (teletext)|Televideo]]
*{{ill|Rai Notte|it}} (1996–2012): overnight TV programming on Rai 1, 2 and 3
*{{ill|Rai Parlamento|it}}: operates the [[Rai Gr Parlamento]], [[Senato della Repubblica (TV channel)|Senato della Repubblica]] and [[Camera dei Deputati (TV channel)|Camera dei deputati]] channels
*{{ill|Rai Quirinale|it}}: transmits broadcasts from the President's [[Quirinale Palace]]
*{{ill|Rai Radio|it}}: production of radio programs, generally in Rome, and management for the radio division
*{{ill|Rai Sport (structure)|lt=Rai Sport|it|Rai Sport (struttura)}}: production of live coverage of sporting events on the three generalist channels (Rai 1, Rai 2, Rai 3) and its own channel of the same name
*[[Rai Teche]]: the broadcast archives
*{{ill|Rai Vaticano|it}}: transmits broadcasts from the [[Vatican City|Vatican]]
*{{ill|Struttura Grandi Eventi|it}}: production and broadcast of major events
*[[TG1]]: production of news and information services on Rai 1
*[[TG2]]: production of news and information services on Rai 2
*[[TG3]]: production of news and information services on Rai 3
*[[TGR]]: production of local news and information regional services on Rai 3


<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Rai Cultura - Logo 2018.svg
File:Rai Documentari logo.svg
File:Rai Expo Caterina Stagno.jpg
File:Rai Giornale Radio - Logo 2017.svg
File:Rai Gold - Logo 2019.svg
File:Rai Meteo - Logo 2018.svg
File:Rai News - Logo 2021.svg
File:Logo of RAI Parlamento.svg
File:Rai Quirinale - Logo 2018.svg
File:Rai Sport - Logo 2022.svg|alt=
File:Rai Vaticano - Logo 2018.svg
</gallery>

===Related companies===
*{{ill|Rai Cinema|it}} (1998–): film production company
**[[:it:01 Distribution|01 Distribution]] (2000–): film distributor
*{{ill|Rai Click|it}} (2000–2009): television programs on demand, later replaced by {{ill|Rai On|it}}
*{{ill|Rai Com|it}} (2015–): promotes the marketing rights of the productions
*{{ill|Rai Pubblicità|it}} (1926–): advertising agency
*{{ill|Rai Corporation|it}} (1960–2012): production, distribution, and marketing in the United States
**{{ill|Rai Corporation Canada|it}} (1987–2012)
*{{ill|RaiNet|it}} (1999–2014): managed the web portals from the rai.it and rai.tv domains
*[[RaiSat]] (1997–2010): subsidiary created to produce thematic TV channels for satellite television
*{{ill|Rai Trade|it}} (1987–2011): promoted the marketing rights of the productions
*{{ill|Rai World|it}} (2011–14), previously {{ill|Rai Internazionale|it}} (1995–2011): radio and television distribution abroad, operated [[Rai Italia]]
*[[Rai Way]] (1999–): broadcasting network for the distribution of the broadcast signal
*{{ill|Sacis|it}} (1955–1997): television rights management and marketing

<gallery>
File:Rai Cinema - Logo 2018.svg
File:LOGO-01-2015-colore.png
File:Rai Com - Logo 2018.svg
File:Rai Pubblicità - Logo 2017.svg
File:Rai Net Logo.jpg
File:Rai-Trade-2010.png
File:Rai World.svg
</gallery>

===Other services===
*{{ill|Rai Alto Adige|it}}: broadcasts television and radio programs throughout the territory of [[Alto Adige]] and [[Trentino]]
*[[Rai Libri]]: magazine and broadcast publisher
*Rai Mobilità (TV) and Rai Ondaverde (radio): [[traffic reports]] (known as ''[[Onda Verde (radio program)|Onda Verde]]'') produced by the {{ill|Centro di coordinamento informazioni sulla sicurezza stradale|it}} (Road safety information coordination center)
*[[RAI National Symphony Orchestra|Rai Orchestra]]: the broadcaster's radio orchestra
*[[RaiPlay]]: multimedia platform
**{{ill|RaiPlay Sound|it}}
**{{ill|RaiPlay Yoyo|it}}
*{{ill|Rai Vd'A|it}}: produces and broadcasts radio and television programs in Italian and French on the territory of the [[Aosta Valley]]. There are also broadcasts in the [[Valdôtain dialect]].

<gallery>
File:Rai Alto Adige - Logo 2018.svg
File:Rai Mobilità - Logo 2018.svg
File:RaiPlay Sound.svg
File:RaiPlay Sound.svg
File:RaiPlay Yoyo.svg
File:RaiPlay Yoyo.svg
Line 365: Line 386:
== Rai Libri ==
== Rai Libri ==
{{main|Rai Libri}}
{{main|Rai Libri}}

{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
|name = Rai Libri
| name = Rai Libri
|logo = Rai Libri - Logo 2018.svg
| logo = Rai Libri - Logo 2018.svg
|logo_alt =
| logo_alt =
|former_name = {{ubl | Rai Eri (1996–2018) | Nuova Eri (1987–1995) | Edizioni Radio Italiana (ERI) (1949–1987) }}
| former_name = {{ubl|Rai Eri (1996–2018)|Nuova Eri (1987–1995)|Edizioni Radio Italiana (ERI) (1949–1987)}}
|predecessor = URI/RAI
| predecessor = URI/RAI
|type =
| type =
|founded = {{start date and age|1949}} in [[Turin, Italy]].
| founded = {{start date and age|1949}} in [[Turin, Italy]].
|industry = Publishing
| industry = Publishing
|genre = {{ubl|Magazines | Broadcast schedules | Media reports }}
| genre = {{ubl|Magazines|Broadcast schedules|Media reports}}
|products = <!-- DOI, Coriettere -->
| products = <!-- DOI, Coriettere -->
|hq_location_city = Turin
| hq_location_city = Turin
|hq_location_country = Italy
| hq_location_country = Italy
|parent = RAI
| parent = RAI
}}
}}


'''Rai Libri''' is the print publishing arm of Rai, headquartered in [[Turin]]. They primarily publish magazines and periodicals for news, entertainment, the broadcast industry, and since their beginning, broadcast schedules. They also have published since 1969 the ''{{ill |Dizionario d'ortografia e di pronunzia|lt=Dictionary of Orthography and Pronunciation|WD=Q1246594 |display=1 |nobold=1}}'', the largest Italian dictionary of its kind.
'''Rai Libri''' is the print publishing arm of Rai, headquartered in [[Turin]]. It primarily publish magazines and periodicals for news, entertainment, the broadcast industry, and since its inception, broadcast schedules. Since 1969, it has also published the ''{{ill |Dizionario d'ortografia e di pronunzia|lt=Dictionary of Orthography and Pronunciation|WD=Q1246594 |display=1 |nobold=1}}'', the largest Italian dictionary of its kind.


=== Publishing history ===
=== Publishing history ===
RAI's history in print with the Unione Radiofonica Italiana (URI)'s weekly magazine ''[[Radio Orario]]'' which debuted in January 1925 and became ''[[Radiocorriere]]'' in 1930. Edizioni Radio Italiana (ERI) was founded in 1949 in Turin, formed entirely from RAI capital to build on ''Radiocorriere''<nowiki />'s success. In 1954 primary ownership was split between RAI and [[Istituto per la Ricostruzione Industriale]] (IRI).<ref name=Annuario1989>''Annuario RAI 1988 1989'', Torino, Nuova ERI, 1989</ref> That same year ''Radiocorriere'' became ''[[Radiocorriere TV]]'', which would continue to be published until RAI divested in 1995.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.eri.rai.it/storia.aspx |title= Rai Eri, la Rai da Leggere |access-date=2016-02-17 |via=www.eri.rai.it |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160409171016/http://www.eri.rai.it/storia.aspx |archive-date = 2016-04-09}}</ref>

RAI's history in print with the Unione Radiofonica Italiana (URI)'s weekly magazine ''[[Radio Orario]]'' which debuted in January 1925 and became ''[[Radiocorriere]]'' in 1930. Edizioni Radio Italiana (ERI) was founded in 1949 in Turin, formed entirely from RAI capital to build on ''Radiocorriere''<nowiki />'s success. In 1954 primary ownership was split between RAI and [[Istituto per la Ricostruzione Industriale]]&nbsp;(IRI).<ref name=Annuario1989>''Annuario RAI 1988 1989'', Torino, Nuova ERI, 1989</ref> That same year ''Radiocorriere'' became ''[[Radiocorriere TV]]'', which would continue to be published until RAI divested in 1995.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.eri.rai.it/storia.aspx |title= Rai Eri, la Rai da Leggere |access-date=2016-02-17 |via=www.eri.rai.it |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160409171016/http://www.eri.rai.it/storia.aspx |archive-date = 2016-04-09}}</ref>


During the 50s and 60s the ERI published ''Classe Unica'', ''{{ill|L'Approdo letterario|it|nobold=1}}'' and ''{{ill|L'Approdo Musicale|it|nobold=1}}'', and in 1969 the first edition of the ''DOP''. The 80s saw the premiere of the monthlies ''Moda'' (1983) and ''King'' (1987),<ref>{{Cite web |editor = Websushi.it |url= http://www.retrovisore.net/media/moda-e-king-lironia-patinata/ |title = Moda e King, l'ironia patinata |access-date = 2016-02-17 |via = Retrovisore– un sito di Luca Pollini |date = 2009-07-30 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160730034255/http://www.retrovisore.net/media/moda-e-king-lironia-patinata/ |archive-date=2016-07-30}}</ref> along with registering a new company name in 1987: Nuova Eri Edizioni Rai-Radiotelevisione Italiana S.p.A., or "Nuova ERI".<ref name=Annuario1989 />
During the 50s and 60s the ERI published ''Classe Unica'', ''{{ill|L'Approdo letterario|it|nobold=1}}'' and ''{{ill|L'Approdo Musicale|it|nobold=1}}'', and in 1969 the first edition of the ''DOP''. The 80s saw the premiere of the monthlies ''Moda'' (1983) and ''King'' (1987),<ref>{{Cite web |editor = Websushi.it |url= http://www.retrovisore.net/media/moda-e-king-lironia-patinata/ |title = Moda e King, l'ironia patinata |access-date = 2016-02-17 |via = Retrovisore– un sito di Luca Pollini |date = 2009-07-30 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160730034255/http://www.retrovisore.net/media/moda-e-king-lironia-patinata/ |archive-date=2016-07-30}}</ref> along with registering a new company name in 1987: Nuova Eri Edizioni Rai-Radiotelevisione Italiana S.p.A., or "Nuova ERI".<ref name=Annuario1989 />


Since the 90s RAI/ERI has increasingly focused on publishing books written by its own broadcast stars, both in news and entertainment. In 1995 Nuova ERI closed and reopened in 1997 as "Rai Eri".<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/eri/ |access-date=2018-10-23 |article=ERI |encyclopedia=Enciclopedia Treccani}}</ref> On 15 October 2018 they renamed to "Rai Libri".
Since the 1990s, RAI/ERI has increasingly focused on publishing books written by its own broadcast stars, both in news and entertainment. In 1995 Nuova ERI closed and reopened in 1997 as "Rai Eri".<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/eri/ |access-date=2018-10-23 |article=ERI |encyclopedia=Enciclopedia Treccani}}</ref> On 15 October 2018, they renamed to "Rai Libri". Rai Libri also edits technical publications: ''Elettronica e telecomunicazioni'' since 1946,<ref>Rivista tecnica dal 1946, cfr. il [http://www.crit.rai.it/eletel/indice.htm sito].</ref> ''Nuova rivista musicale italiana'' since 1967,<ref>Nata nel 1967 è oggi diretta da [[Giovanni Carli Ballola]], [[Paolo Donati (autore)|Paolo Donati]], [[Giorgio Pestelli]], [[Giancarlo Rostirolla]] e [[Roman Vlad]]</ref> and ''Nuova civiltà delle macchine'' since 1957.<ref>Su progetto di [[Leonardo Sinisgalli]] che ne diresse la prima serie (1957-1979) è oggi diretta dal comitato scientifico di [[Dario Antiseri]], [[Edoardo Boncinelli]], [[Umberto Bottazzini]], [[Vittorio Marchis]] e [[Silvano Tagliagambe]] in collaborazione con il Centro D.I.E.A. (Documentazione su Ingegneria ed Etica Ambientale) della Facoltà di Ingegneria dell'[[Università di Bologna]].</ref> It produces its own reports on communications and media, with the second edition of the book-and-documentary ''RicordeRai'' released in 2004 in collaboration with [[Rai Teche]].

Rai Libri also edits technical publications: ''Elettronica e telecomunicazioni'' since 1946,<ref>Rivista tecnica dal 1946, cfr. il [http://www.crit.rai.it/eletel/indice.htm sito].</ref> ''Nuova rivista musicale italiana'' since 1967,<ref>Nata nel 1967 è oggi diretta da [[Giovanni Carli Ballola]], [[Paolo Donati (autore)|Paolo Donati]], [[Giorgio Pestelli]], [[Giancarlo Rostirolla]] e [[Roman Vlad]]</ref> and ''Nuova civiltà delle macchine'' since 1957.<ref>Su progetto di [[Leonardo Sinisgalli]] che ne diresse la prima serie (1957-1979) è oggi diretta dal comitato scientifico di [[Dario Antiseri]], [[Edoardo Boncinelli]], [[Umberto Bottazzini]], [[Vittorio Marchis]] e [[Silvano Tagliagambe]] in collaborazione con il Centro D.I.E.A. (Documentazione su Ingegneria ed Etica Ambientale) della Facoltà di Ingegneria dell'[[Università di Bologna]].</ref> It produces its own reports on communications and media, with the second edition of the book-and-documentary ''RicordeRai'' released in 2004 in collaboration with [[Rai Teche]].


=== ''Radiocorriere TV'' ===
=== ''Radiocorriere TV'' ===
{{main|Radiocorriere TV}}
{{main|Radiocorriere TV}}


RAI (originally URI) had printed its broadcast schedules nearly without interruption starting in 1925 as ''Radio Orario'', then from 1930 as ''Radiocorriere'',<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150107150541/http://www.teche.rai.it/history/radiorario/index.html Radio Orario – History (1925)]</ref><ref>Images of ''Radiocorriere'' from the 1930s: {{cite web |url=https://a.imageshack.us/img13/9707/radiocorriere1937.jpg |title=Copertina del ''Radiocorriere'' del 24 ottobre 1937 |format=JPEG |access-date=2018-10-23}}, {{cite web |url=https://a.imageshack.us/img444/1456/radiocorriere194001.jpg |title= Copertina del ''Radiocorriere'' del 31 dicembre 1939 |format=JPEG |access-date=2018-10-23}}, Altre [http://www.petitesondes.net/Rotocalchi.htm prime pagine dal 1936 al 1977].</ref> then continuously from 1954 as ''Radiocorriere TV'', until RAI divested in 1995. The magazine was restarted under publisher {{ill|Rcc edizioni|it}} with a print edition from 1999 to 2008, closing due to poor sales. It reopened in 2012 as an online-only publication, with a handful of special-occasion independent print runs in the intervening years, including 2005 (its 80th anniversary),<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ipzs.it/news/comunicato_radioccorriere.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=24 October 2018 |archive-date=31 July 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070731092842/http://www.ipzs.it/news/comunicato_radioccorriere.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> 2010 (switchover to [[Digital terrestrial television|DTTV]]),<ref>[http://www.ufficiostampa.rai.it/allegati/TVRD2010.pdf Radiocorriere TV 2010 TVRD edition] {{dead link |date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot (it) }}</ref> and 2011 (150th [[anniversary of the unification of Italy]]).<ref>[http://www.agi.it/spettacolo/sanremo-2011/elenco-notizie/nata-per-unire-cd-canzoni-150-unita-italia AGI.it - 'NATA PER UNIRE', CD CANZONI 150° UNITA' ITALIA] <!-- Titolo generato automaticamente --> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221044015/http://www.agi.it/spettacolo/sanremo-2011/elenco-notizie/nata-per-unire-cd-canzoni-150-unita-italia |date=2011-02-21 }}</ref> The Rai Ufficio Stampa website has published programming schedules and television blurbs online since 2011 under the magazine's name. On 3 January 2014, Rai Teche published online the complete 1925–1995 archives of URI/RAI's ''Radio Orario''/''Radiocorriere''/''TV''.<ref>{{Cite news |language=it |url=http://www.repubblica.it/spettacoli/tv-radio/2014/01/08/news/radio-75389270/ |title=Settant'anni di storia della radio e della tv italiane nelle pagine del Radiocorriere |work = Spettacoli - La Repubblica |date=2014-01-08 |access-date=2018-02-24}}</ref>
RAI (originally URI) had printed its broadcast schedules nearly without interruption starting in 1925 as ''Radio Orario'', then from 1930 as ''Radiocorriere'',<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150107150541/http://www.teche.rai.it/history/radiorario/index.html Radio Orario – History (1925)]</ref><ref>Images of ''Radiocorriere'' from the 1930s: {{cite web |url=http://a.imageshack.us/img13/9707/radiocorriere1937.jpg |title=Copertina del ''Radiocorriere'' del 24 ottobre 1937 |format=JPEG |access-date=2018-10-23}},
{{cite web |url=http://a.imageshack.us/img444/1456/radiocorriere194001.jpg |title= Copertina del ''Radiocorriere'' del 31 dicembre 1939 |format=JPEG |access-date=2018-10-23}}, Altre [http://www.petitesondes.net/Rotocalchi.htm prime pagine dal 1936 al 1977].</ref> then continuously from 1954 as ''Radiocorriere TV'', until RAI divested in 1995.

The magazine was restarted under publisher {{ill|Rcc edizioni|it}} with a print edition from 1999 to 2008, closing due to poor sales. It reopened in 2012 as an online-only publication, with a handful of special-occasion independent print runs in the intervening years, including 2005 (its 80th anniversary),<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ipzs.it/news/comunicato_radioccorriere.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=24 October 2018 |archive-date=31 July 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070731092842/http://www.ipzs.it/news/comunicato_radioccorriere.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> 2010 (switchover to [[Digital terrestrial television|DTTV]]),<ref>[http://www.ufficiostampa.rai.it/allegati/TVRD2010.pdf Radiocorriere TV 2010 TVRD edition]{{dead link |date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot (it) }}</ref> and 2011 (150th [[anniversary of the unification of Italy]]).<ref>[http://www.agi.it/spettacolo/sanremo-2011/elenco-notizie/nata-per-unire-cd-canzoni-150-unita-italia AGI.it - 'NATA PER UNIRE', CD CANZONI 150° UNITA' ITALIA] <!-- Titolo generato automaticamente --> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221044015/http://www.agi.it/spettacolo/sanremo-2011/elenco-notizie/nata-per-unire-cd-canzoni-150-unita-italia |date=2011-02-21 }}</ref> The "Rai Ufficio Stampa [press office]" website has meanwhile published programming schedules and television blurbs online since 2011 under the magazine's name. On 3 January 2014 Rai Teche published online the complete 1925–1995 archives of URI/RAI's ''Radio Orario''/''Radiocorriere''/''TV''.<ref>{{Cite news |language=it |url=http://www.repubblica.it/spettacoli/tv-radio/2014/01/08/news/radio-75389270/ |title=Settant'anni di storia della radio e della tv italiane nelle pagine del Radiocorriere |work = Spettacoli - La Repubblica |date=2014-01-08 |access-date=2018-02-24}}</ref>


==Headquarters and offices==
==Headquarters and offices==
Line 436: Line 450:


===Foreign offices===
===Foreign offices===
There are RAI offices in foreign countries, which produce news reports that are broadcast live in Italy. These offices are in: [[Brussels]], [[Paris]], [[Berlin]], [[London]], [[New York City]], [[Beijing]], [[Cairo]], [[Jerusalem]], [[Nairobi]], [[Moscow]], [[Rio de Janeiro]], [[Bangkok]].
There are RAI offices in foreign countries, which produce news reports that are broadcast live in Italy. These offices are in: [[Brussels]], [[Paris]], [[Berlin]], [[London]], [[New York City]], [[Beijing]], [[Cairo]], [[Jerusalem]], [[Nairobi]], [[Moscow]], [[Rio de Janeiro]], and [[Bangkok]].


==Finances==
==Finances==
=== Debt level===
=== Debt level===

As March 2015, the RAI has a debt of {{euro}}442 million and the [[Italian Court of Audit]] was worried about the size of RAI's debt for the impact that this may have on Italian people, as the company is owned by the state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.repubblica.it/economia/2015/03/13/news/corte_dei_conti_rai-109444031/|title=Corte dei Conti, alert sul debito della Rai|date=13 March 2015|work=Repubblica.it|access-date=5 July 2015}}</ref>
As March 2015, the RAI has a debt of {{euro}}442 million and the [[Italian Court of Audit]] was worried about the size of RAI's debt for the impact that this may have on Italian people, as the company is owned by the state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.repubblica.it/economia/2015/03/13/news/corte_dei_conti_rai-109444031/|title=Corte dei Conti, alert sul debito della Rai|date=13 March 2015|work=Repubblica.it|access-date=5 July 2015}}</ref>


=== Mandatory annual fee on all televisions in Italy ===
=== Mandatory annual fee on all televisions in Italy ===

Italians must purchase an annual [[Television licensing in Italy|television licence]] for about €90 every year in order to legally own a TV or HDTV. It is known as ''Canone Rai'', "Rai Tax" because it is used to part-fund the RAI. Since 2016, it is financed through the electricity bill.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.canone.rai.it/Ordinari/Importi.aspx#Importi1|title = RAI - Radiotelevisione italiana - Abbonamenti}}</ref>
Italians must purchase an annual [[Television licensing in Italy|television licence]] for about €90 every year in order to legally own a TV or HDTV. It is known as ''Canone Rai'', "Rai Tax" because it is used to part-fund the RAI. Since 2016, it is financed through the electricity bill.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.canone.rai.it/Ordinari/Importi.aspx#Importi1|title = RAI - Radiotelevisione italiana - Abbonamenti}}</ref>

== Over-the-top media service ==
[[RaiPlay]] is Rai's [[over-the-top media service]] (OTT). It covers viewers across multiple devices such as computers, tablets, smartphones. The service's website contains all Rai's radio stations and television channel.


==See also==
==See also==
Line 451: Line 466:
* [[Television licensing in Italy]]
* [[Television licensing in Italy]]
* [[Prix Italia]]
* [[Prix Italia]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category-inline|RAI (broadcaster)}}
*{{commons category-inline|RAI (broadcaster)}}
*[http://www.rai.it/ Rai.it]
*[http://www.rai.it/ Rai.it]
*[http://www.raiplay.it RaiPlay]
*[http://www.raiplay.it RaiPlay]
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{{Italian television stations}}
{{Italian television stations}}
{{European Broadcasting Union Members}}
{{European Broadcasting Union Members}}
{{EU TV}}
{{Eurovision Song Contest}}{{EU TV}}{{Authority control}}
{{EU Radio}}
{{Authority control}}
{{coord|41|55|4|N|12|27|59|E|type:landmark_region:IT|display=title}}
{{coord|41|55|4|N|12|27|59|E|type:landmark_region:IT|display=title}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}


[[Category:1924 establishments in Italy]]
[[Category:1924 establishments in Italy]]

Revision as of 21:21, 30 April 2024

RAI – Radiotelevisione italiana S.p.A.
Company typeSocietà per azioni (S.p.A.), state-owned
IndustryMass media
Founded
  • 1924; 100 years ago (1924) (as URI)
  • 1944; 80 years ago (1944) (as RAI)
  • 1954; 70 years ago (1954) (as RAI S.p.A.)
FounderGovernment of Italy
Headquarters14 Viale Giuseppe Mazzini
Rome, Italy
Area served
Italy and other neighbouring countries in the European Union, Tunisia, Switzerland, Albania, Bosnia, Monaco, Montenegro, San Marino and Vatican City
Key people
  • Roberto Sergio (CEO)
  • Marinella Soldi (chairman)
Products
Services
RevenueIncrease €2.52 billion (2021)[1]
Increase €30.44 million (2021)[1]
OwnerMinistry of Economy and Finance
Number of employees
12,751 (2021)[1]
Subsidiaries
  • Rai Way
  • Rai Pubblicità S.p.A.
  • Rai Com S.p.A.
  • Rai Cinema S.p.A.
  • 01 Distribution S.r.l.
Website

RAI – Radiotelevisione italiana[2] (Italian: [ˈrai ˌradjoteleviˈzjoːne itaˈljaːna]), commercially styled as Rai since 2000 and known until 1954 as Radio Audizioni Italiane,[a] is the national public broadcasting company of Italy, owned by the Ministry of Economy and Finance. RAI operates many terrestrial and subscription television channels and radio stations. It is one of the biggest broadcasters in Europe, and the biggest in Italy competing with Mediaset[4] and other minor radio and television networks. RAI has a relatively high television audience share of 35.9%.[5]

RAI broadcasts are also received in surrounding countries, including Albania, Bosnia, Croatia, France, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, San Marino, Slovenia, Switzerland, Serbia, Tunisia and the Vatican City, and elsewhere on pay television and some channels FTA across Europe including UK on the Hotbird satellite. Half of RAI's revenues come from broadcast receiving licence fees, the remainder from the sale of advertising time.[6][7] In 1950, RAI became one of the 23 founding members of the European Broadcasting Union.

Structure

RAI is 99% owned by the Italian Government Ministry of Economy and Finance and is the sole licensee (concessionaria in esclusiva) of the radio, television, and multimedia broadcasting public service. For this reason, the agreement with the Government prescribes a series of rules and guarantees that Rai must follow to ensure fair public service to the citizens.[8]

Management and Board of Directors are elected by the ruling Parliament through the Parliamentary Commission for the General Direction and Supervision of Broadcasting Services (Commissione parlamentare per l'indirizzo generale e la vigilanza dei servizi radiotelevisivi), every three years, in agreement with almost all parliamentary exponents, usually following the political side of the majority and leaving some space for minor roles to minority parties exponents.[9][10]

RAI is formally a private joint-stock company (società per azioni), although all stocks are state-owned; its company statute describes how the strict relationship with the Republic is also ruled by different national laws. The most recent one is the 2015 Riforma della Rai, or "RAI Reform", i.e. the 2015 law no. 220, including the Testo unico della Radiotelevisione ("Consolidated Law on Radio and Television"). RAI and broadcasting are supervised by the commission, which rules also economic budgets and main regulations, including public service's electoral segments during electoral campaigns.

History

1924

Unione Radiofonica Italiana (URI) was formed in 1924 with the backing of the Marconi Company following a model adopted in other European countries. URI made its inaugural broadcast — a speech by Benito Mussolini (1883–1945) at Teatro Costanzi — on 5 October. Regular programming began the following evening, with a quartet performing Haydn's Quartet No. 7 in A major from Palazzo Corradi. At 21.00 CET, Ines Donarelli Viviani announced for the first time: "URI—Unione Radiofonica Italiana Rome station 1RO 425 metres wavelength. To all those who are listening our greetings, good evening".[11] Guglielmo Marconi's S.A. Radiofono—Società Italiana per le Radiocomunicazioni Circolari (Radiofono) held 85% of URI shares and Western Electric's Società Italiana Radio Audizioni Circolari (SIRAC) held the remaining 15%.

Under the provisions of Royal Decree No. 1067 of 8 February 1923, wireless broadcasting became a state monopoly under the control of the Ministry of Posts and Telegraphs; URI was commissioned to provide services for a minimum of six years pursuant to Royal Decree No. 2191 of 14 October 1924 Concessione dei servizi radioauditivi circolari alla Società Anonima Unione Radiofonica Italiana.[12] When URI's contract expired in 1927, it was succeeded under Royal Decree Law No. 2207 of 17 November 1927 by the partially nationalised Ente Italiano per le Audizioni Radiofoniche (EIAR), which became Radio Audizioni Italiane S.p.A. (RAI) with investment from Società Idroelettrica Piemontese (SIP) in 1944.

1940s

During the reconstruction following World War II, much of RAI's early programming was influenced by the "Reithian" style of the BBC. The emphasis was on educational content. Programs like Non è mai troppo tardi and Un viaggio al Po introduced people to what life was like in other parts of the country, at a time when most people could not afford to travel.

Over the following years, the RAI made various changes to its services. It reorganized its radio stations in November 1946 into two national networks, Rete Rossa and Rete Azzurra ("Red Network" and "Blue Network"). It added the culture-based Terzo Programma in October 1950. On 1 January 1952, the Rete Rossa became the Programma Nazionale (focusing on informational content) and the Rete Azzurra became the Secondo Programma (with a greater emphasis on entertainment). The three radio channels eventually became today's Rai Radio 1, Rai Radio 2, and Rai Radio 3.

1950s

In 1954, the state-owned holding company Istituto per la Ricostruzione Industriale (IRI) became the sole shareholder and URI – now renamed RAI—Radiotelevisione italiana to reflect its extended responsibilities – finally began a regular television service. On 3 January at 11.00 CET, the first RAI television announcer presented the day's schedule, which was broadcast from the service's Milan headquarters and relay stations in Turin and Rome. At 14.30, the first regular programme in Italian television history was broadcast: Arrivi e partenze, hosted by Armando Pizzo and Mike Bongiorno. The evening's entertainment was a theatre performance, L'osteria della posta, written by Carlo Goldoni. 23.15 saw the start of the day's concluding programme, La Domenica Sportiva – the first edition of a weekly series which continues to this day.[13]

2000s

RAI was originally the subsidiary of RAI Holding S.p.A. RAI Holding was absorbed into RAI as of 1 December 2004, per Article 21 of Law 112/04. The RAI is governed by a nine-member Administrative Council. Seven of the members are elected by a committee of the Italian Parliament. The other two (one of which is the president) are nominated by the largest shareholder: the Ministry of Economic Development. The Council appoints the Director-General. The Director-General and the members of the Administrative Council are appointed for a renewable three-year term.

In 2005, the government of Silvio Berlusconi proposed partial privatisation of RAI by selling 20% of ownership. This proposal was very controversial, in part because Berlusconi was the head of the leading private broadcaster Mediaset. Some critics stated that Mediaset could become the buyer and thus increase its dominant position. After the revelation that RAI would lose €80m ($96m, £54m) in 2006, the privatisation plan was suspended in October 2005.[14][15]

2010s

On 18 May 2010, Raisat received a major upgrade and re-branded with a new logo and a new name. It and all of the sister channels dropped the sat part from the name and became Rai YoYo, Rai 5 (formerly known as Rai Extra), Rai Premium, and Rai Movie (formerly known as Raisat Cinema). On 11 June 2013, RAI was one of the few European broadcasters to condemn and criticize the closure of Greece's state broadcaster ERT. RAI is 99% owned by the Italian Government Ministry of Economy and Finance, so it is said that it broadcasts content that may politically influence people.[16][17]

Corporate identity

The Alberto Ribera logo was introduced in 1967, however, this did not have significant application except on studios and portable cameras. A second variation of the Carboni logo was introduced in 1977, which was not officially adopted but appeared in some graphics, including that of the time signal.[18]

Controversies

Political fairness and balance between public service and commercial TV market

Rai's broadcasts content and nominees are frequently accused of political bias,[16][17] depending both on the management for each channel or programme, and on the lack of meritocracy[clarification needed] in contracts with television hosts and also technicians, also concerting cachets[clarification needed] and salaries.[19] However, many people underline that Rai needs to balance political equity and public services with the market rules and competitors.[20] All these issues are ongoing.

Rai's main channels are considered slightly politically oriented: Rai 1 is liberal or centre-right, Rai 2 is usually more right-oriented, while Rai 3 typically has the majority of left oriented programmes and hosts Fabio Fazio and Bianca Berlinguer, or the journalistic deep investigation programme Report, famous for its investigations over far-right scandals.[21] This issue in Italy is referred as lottizzazione and is yet to be solved.

Political censorship and civil rights advocacy controversies

Rai is frequently subjected to controversies and censorship accusations regarding political matters, especially civil rights and LGBT issues. The broadcaster was strongly accused in 2008 of cutting the gay love scene of the Oscar-winning movie Brokeback Mountain. Rai initially apologized for the cut, explaining that the cut was due to a pre-cut edition originally planned for the prime-time slot, and wasn't corrected when airing was shifted to the late-night slot. Critics noticed that similar scenes of heterosexual lovers were never cut out before in prime-time and reinforcing the accusation of homophobic censorship.[22] The company rescheduled a new uncut version of the movie, but this was aired again in an even later time slot, a choice seen as a confirmation of the accusation. Only two years later, the movie aired again with all homosexual sex and kisses cut off. Rai was forced again to apologise, accusing a problem" with the pre-cut edition by the distribution company and a lack of fact-checking by the Rai employee.[23][24]

In 2011, episode 125 of the German TV Soap Um Himmels Willen (literally "For Heaven's Sake"), shown in Italy since 2004, was entitled Romeo and Romeo and due to screen on Rai 1 but was left out in order to "avoid controversy", according to the broadcaster.[25] In 2016, during the first clear broadcast of the show How to Get Away with Murder, on Rai 2, the gay kisses for one of the main characters (portrayed by Jack Falahee) were completely cut off. Rai apologized again, stating that the incident was "merely the mistake of an overzealous editor".[26] Criticism on the social media platforms was so strong that Falahee and showrunner Shonda Rhimes both tweeted against the network's "inexcusable" censorship.[27][28][29]

Fedez controversy

In 2021, another accusation was made against Rai by famous Italian rapper Fedez. During the 1 May Concertone, a traditional Italian TV broadcast concert in celebration of the International Workers' Day, the rapper was invited to perform and have a speech on the stage. The rapper honored the entertainment workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and spent half of his speech in support of legislation that would punish violence against women and LGBT people as hate crimes in Italy. During his speech, he recalled all the political exponents' hate speech (confirmed by videos or sentenced by court) during the late years, and accused Rai 3's executive of trying censoring his speech by order of superiors as "this is how it works". Rai immediately denied all accusations and Fedez leaked a recorded audio of the conversation between him and the executives, where managers and hosts (declaring their names and roles to him) tried to censor his speech, by "asking you to adapt to a system that you probably don't get".[30][31][32]

After the video was reposted by all national media and web news sites, Rai sued the rapper, while a parliamentary investigation was opened. Fedez replied he was proud and ready to face the court, and he said he was available as a testimony for the Rai's Superior Commission.[33] Fedez's accusation was one of the biggest media scandals of Rai, as not only all political parties took sides in the cause (centre and left in favor of the Rapper, including ex-prime ministers Giuseppe Conte and Enrico Letta, while right and far-right parties in favor of Rai, including Matteo Salvini and Giorgia Meloni's colleagues).[30] The scandal increased when the parliamentary commission denied a hearing with Fedez, only speaking with Rai's executives. In the very much criticized email answer (which screenshot was published by Fedez on Instagram) the Office of the Commission stated that even if not prohibited by law, it was not custom to invite external people to the Commission investigation. Fedez replied to the email with only three clown emojis, a fact that further angered the far-right politicians.[34]

In July, the new board of Rai was elected, including the CEO and executives; this led to Rai's CEO Fuortes revealing not only the withdrawal of the action in court for failing all the required accusatory elements but also that no legal action was ever meant by the new management. Far-right exponents opened a parliamentary question over the withdrawal.[35][36] After the CEO's declaration, no other details were said about any apology or agreement with Fedez: nonetheless, the rapper was invited by Fabio Fazio to the first episode of the new season of his late show.[37] Following the 2021 controversy, Fedez reinforced some controversy against Rai when he announced he was not invited to the 2022 Concertone for the first time.[38]

Editorial Independence

Shortly after the Meloni government took office in October 2022, influential managers were replaced, and well-known journalists and presenters such as Fabio Fazio, Bianca Berlinguer and Lucia Annunziata left the RAI. In 2023, Giorgia Meloni was accused of pressuring out the head of RAI for not supporting her political agenda.[39] In 2024, Meloni called for her government's ministers to be given more speaking time in the European election campaign. In doing so, she called on the RAI to violate the law "par conditiono", according to which all parties must receive the same amount of broadcasting time. The resistance to this was massive, and the plans are off the table for the time being.[40]

Accusing of censoship on Liberation Day 2024

Antonio Scurati a well knwon italian writer and expert of the history of facism. Scurati was commissioned by the public broadcaster RAI to read a speech on the day of liberation from fascism (Italian: Festa della Liberazione) on 25 April. But at short notice Scurati was disinvited again and was no longer allowed to give his speech. But the presenter of the show doesn't want to accept that and quickly decides to read out his words in front of the camera.[41]

A passage from Scurati states: "As long as those who govern us do not utter the word anti-fascism, the specter of fascism will continue to haunt the house of Italian democracy." It is a clear criticism of Prime Minister Meloni, because the leader of the Fratelli d'Italia party has not distanced herself from her party's fascist legacy.

He was turned down for ideological and political reasons, Scurati told the German public broadcaster ARD. "I criticized the fact that, during the 19 months of Meloni's government, the Prime Minister insisted on the reading of history that corresponds to her neo-fascist background, i.e. she shifted the blame for the slaughter and massacres onto the German Nazis, even though the fascists of Salò were accomplices and collaborators."[41]

Budget and unjustified expenses

Rai was investigated and fined (with many executives arrested or fired) for unjustified expenses and suspicious gifts.[42] It was noticed that, frequently, dinners, expensive watches and jewellery were all paid by Rai for unknown people outside the company.[43] In 2022, a new scandal was investigated by the Guardia di Finanza surrounding corruption and bribes. At least 5 people in total were arrested, while the investigation is still ongoing.[44]

TV channels

Current channels

In high definition and ultra definition

Name Launched Description
Rai 1 3 January 1954 Generalist and family-oriented
Rai 2 4 November 1961 Generalist, catering towards youth/urban audiences
Rai 3 15 December 1979 Cultural and regional programming
Rai 4 14 July 2008 Youth/urban programming and movies
Rai 5 26 November 2010 Arts and culture programming
Rai 4K [it] 17 June 2016 Ultra HD 4K programming channel
Rai Movie 1 July 1999 Films
Rai Premium 31 July 2003 Popular fiction and films
Rai Gulp 1 June 2007 Shows for pre-teens
Rai Yoyo 1 November 2006 Shows for young children
Rai News 24 26 April 1999 Rolling news coverage
Rai Storia 2 February 2009 Documentaries about history and culture
Rai Sport 14 September 2015 Sports coverage news
Rai Scuola 19 October 2009 Documentary, cultural and educational

Programming on Rai 1/2/3 and Sport via satellite is encrypted outside Italy due to programming and sports rights.

International

Name Launched Description
Rai Italia 1 January 1992 Catered towards Italian expatriates
Rai World Premium [it] 6 May 2013 Italian culture and national TV shows

Regional

Name Launched Language Region
Rai Alto Adige [it] 1960 Italian Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol
Rai Ladinia 26 September 1988 Ladin Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol
Rai Südtirol 7 February 1966 German Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol
Rai 3 BIS FJK [it] 1995 Italian and Slovene Friuli-Venezia Giulia/Furlanija Julijska Krajina

Discontinued channels

Radio stations

Rai Radio logo (September 2017)

Current stations

On FM, AM, Satellite, DAB/DAB+, DTT, Filodiffusion, Web:

Regional stations:

Only on Satellite, DAB/DAB+, DTT, Filodiffusion and Web:

Discontinued stations

Divisions and subsidiaries

Strutture Rai [it] (Rai Structures) is a news organization internal to Rai, or rather an internal management and division, created in order to independently manage the programs broadcast on the generalist and, in particular, thematic networks. After 2000, Rai reorganized its corporate structure with the creation of specific structures, listed here:

  • Rai Cinema [it] (1998–): film production company
  • Rai Click [it] (2000–2009): television programs on demand, later replaced by Rai On [it]
  • Rai Com [it] (2015–): promotes the marketing rights of the productions
  • Rai Pubblicità [it] (1926–): advertising agency
  • Rai Corporation [it] (1960–2012): production, distribution, and marketing in the United States
  • RaiNet [it] (1999–2014): managed the web portals from the rai.it and rai.tv domains
  • RaiSat (1997–2010): subsidiary created to produce thematic TV channels for satellite television
  • Rai Trade [it] (1987–2011): promoted the marketing rights of the productions
  • Rai World [it] (2011–14), previously Rai Internazionale [it] (1995–2011): radio and television distribution abroad, operated Rai Italia
  • Rai Way (1999–): broadcasting network for the distribution of the broadcast signal
  • Sacis [it] (1955–1997): television rights management and marketing

Other services

Rai Libri

Rai Libri
Formerly
  • Rai Eri (1996–2018)
  • Nuova Eri (1987–1995)
  • Edizioni Radio Italiana (ERI) (1949–1987)
IndustryPublishing
Genre
  • Magazines
  • Broadcast schedules
  • Media reports
PredecessorURI/RAI
Founded1949; 75 years ago (1949) in Turin, Italy.
Headquarters
Turin
,
Italy
Revenue2,360,000,000 Euro (2020) Edit this on Wikidata
Number of employees
12,751 (2021) Edit this on Wikidata
ParentRAI

Rai Libri is the print publishing arm of Rai, headquartered in Turin. It primarily publish magazines and periodicals for news, entertainment, the broadcast industry, and since its inception, broadcast schedules. Since 1969, it has also published the Dictionary of Orthography and Pronunciation [Wikidata], the largest Italian dictionary of its kind.

Publishing history

RAI's history in print with the Unione Radiofonica Italiana (URI)'s weekly magazine Radio Orario which debuted in January 1925 and became Radiocorriere in 1930. Edizioni Radio Italiana (ERI) was founded in 1949 in Turin, formed entirely from RAI capital to build on Radiocorriere's success. In 1954 primary ownership was split between RAI and Istituto per la Ricostruzione Industriale (IRI).[45] That same year Radiocorriere became Radiocorriere TV, which would continue to be published until RAI divested in 1995.[46]

During the 50s and 60s the ERI published Classe Unica, L'Approdo letterario [it] and L'Approdo Musicale [it], and in 1969 the first edition of the DOP. The 80s saw the premiere of the monthlies Moda (1983) and King (1987),[47] along with registering a new company name in 1987: Nuova Eri Edizioni Rai-Radiotelevisione Italiana S.p.A., or "Nuova ERI".[45]

Since the 1990s, RAI/ERI has increasingly focused on publishing books written by its own broadcast stars, both in news and entertainment. In 1995 Nuova ERI closed and reopened in 1997 as "Rai Eri".[48] On 15 October 2018, they renamed to "Rai Libri". Rai Libri also edits technical publications: Elettronica e telecomunicazioni since 1946,[49] Nuova rivista musicale italiana since 1967,[50] and Nuova civiltà delle macchine since 1957.[51] It produces its own reports on communications and media, with the second edition of the book-and-documentary RicordeRai released in 2004 in collaboration with Rai Teche.

Radiocorriere TV

RAI (originally URI) had printed its broadcast schedules nearly without interruption starting in 1925 as Radio Orario, then from 1930 as Radiocorriere,[52][53] then continuously from 1954 as Radiocorriere TV, until RAI divested in 1995. The magazine was restarted under publisher Rcc edizioni [it] with a print edition from 1999 to 2008, closing due to poor sales. It reopened in 2012 as an online-only publication, with a handful of special-occasion independent print runs in the intervening years, including 2005 (its 80th anniversary),[54] 2010 (switchover to DTTV),[55] and 2011 (150th anniversary of the unification of Italy).[56] The Rai Ufficio Stampa website has published programming schedules and television blurbs online since 2011 under the magazine's name. On 3 January 2014, Rai Teche published online the complete 1925–1995 archives of URI/RAI's Radio Orario/Radiocorriere/TV.[57]

Headquarters and offices

Seat Centers of television production Auditoriums/theatres Studios
Rome Centro radiotelevisivo "Biagio Agnes", Saxa Rubra 16
Rome CPTV Via Teulada, 66 9
Rome CPTV Studi "Fabrizio Frizzi", Via Ettore Romagnoli, 30 6
Rome Teatro delle Vittorie 1 theatre
Rome Auditorium of Foro Italico 1 auditorium
Milan CP Corso Sempione, 27 3 auditoriums 5
Milan CPTV Via Mecenate, 76 4
Naples CP Viale Marconi, 9 1 auditorium 7
Turin CP Via Verdi, 16 1 auditorium 6

Local offices

Foreign offices

There are RAI offices in foreign countries, which produce news reports that are broadcast live in Italy. These offices are in: Brussels, Paris, Berlin, London, New York City, Beijing, Cairo, Jerusalem, Nairobi, Moscow, Rio de Janeiro, and Bangkok.

Finances

Debt level

As March 2015, the RAI has a debt of 442 million and the Italian Court of Audit was worried about the size of RAI's debt for the impact that this may have on Italian people, as the company is owned by the state.[58]

Mandatory annual fee on all televisions in Italy

Italians must purchase an annual television licence for about €90 every year in order to legally own a TV or HDTV. It is known as Canone Rai, "Rai Tax" because it is used to part-fund the RAI. Since 2016, it is financed through the electricity bill.[59]

Over-the-top media service

RaiPlay is Rai's over-the-top media service (OTT). It covers viewers across multiple devices such as computers, tablets, smartphones. The service's website contains all Rai's radio stations and television channel.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Originally a distinction was made in Italian between wireless telegraphy (radiofonia) and wireless telephony (radioaudizione circolare). The latter term has now fallen into disuse.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c Reports and Financial Statements as of 31 December 2021 (in English) Retrieved on 04-03-2023
  2. ^ "Rai.it – Il gruppo Rai". rai.it. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
  3. ^ La radio in Italia cronologia. Archived 18 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine (in Italian). Retrieved on 2007-11-28.
  4. ^ Pusterla, Sabrina (27 November 2018). "The Italian Television System Explained". Italics Magazine. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  5. ^ "RAI – Un 2019 ricco di ascolti tra film, fiction, sport e programmi TV". Cinemaitaliano.info. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  6. ^ "Basta con il governo padrone, così cambierà la Tv pubblica". Archived 2007-12-27 at archive.today (in Italian). Retrieved on 2007-10-10.
  7. ^ " DDL Riforma Rai". Archived 2007-12-13 at archive.today (in Italian). Italian Ministry of Communications. Retrieved on 2007-10-10.
  8. ^ "RAI". Mise.gov.it (in Italian). Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  9. ^ RAI under the Center-Right: Wither 50 Years of Public Service Television? by Matthew Hibberd, in Italian Politics: Vol. 19, Italy between Europeanization and Domestic Politics,
  10. ^ "RAI under the Center-Right: Wither 50 Years of Public Service Television? by Matthew Hibberd, in Italian Politics: Vol. 19, Italy between Europeanization and Domestic Politics, 2003, Berghahn Books".
  11. ^ The Origins of radio broadcasting in Italy Archived 7 August 2016 at the Wayback Machine Comitato Guglielmo Marconi International (retrieved 27 November 2011)
  12. ^ Gazzetta Ufficiale No. 11 of 15 January 1925 pp. 164-167
  13. ^ retrieved on 2009-06-21 Archived 7 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine (in Italian)
  14. ^ ""RAI's privatisation is de facto suspended", its new director general, Alfredo Meocci, told a parliamentary watchdog committee". Archived from the original on 14 May 2006. Retrieved 28 March 2006.
  15. ^ "Berlusconi halts plan to sell off state broadcaster". Financial Times. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  16. ^ a b "Il pubblico in fuga da una Rai faziosa". 17 May 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  17. ^ a b ""Rai faziosa" Brunetta lancia l'osservatorio online". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  18. ^ Storia ed evoluzione del logo RAI - Radiotelevisione italiana (retrieved 14 March 2020)
  19. ^ "Bruno Vespa, Fabio Fazio e il caso stipendi Rai: La verità sui due contratti e le loro differenze". 3 February 2019.
  20. ^ "Rai: Servizio pubblico o Tv commerciale?". 30 May 2016.
  21. ^ "Italian Broadcaster Faces Probe After Uncovering Lega Nord Scandal".
  22. ^ "Italy's RAI chided for cutting Brokeback Mountain". Reuters. 10 December 2008.
  23. ^ "Brokeback Mountain: Il bacio censurato di nuovo dalla Rai - Gay.it". Gay.it.
  24. ^ Anatrone, Sole; Heim, Julia (2020). Queering Italian Media by Sole Anatrone and Julia Hem, 2022, Lexington Books. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 9781793616111.
  25. ^ "Gay marriage banned from Italian state TV channel". 12 September 2011.
  26. ^ "Bacio gay: Rai2 lo censura. Polemic social, la replica: "Eccesso di pudore"". 9 July 2016.
  27. ^ "Shonda Rhimes, Jack Falahee Blast Rai Uno for Censoring HGTAWM Gay Sex Scene".
  28. ^ "La scena gay tagliata e la vera sfida Rai verso la modernità". 11 July 2016.
  29. ^ "Italian Broadcaster Rai Apologizes for Cutting 'How to Get Away with Murder' Gay Sex Scene". The Hollywood Reporter. 10 July 2016.
  30. ^ a b "Italian rapper Fedez accuses state TV of censorship attempt". BBC News. 2 May 2021.
  31. ^ Balmer, Crispian (2 May 2021). "Italian rapper attacks League over LGBT+, accuses RAI of censorship". Reuters.
  32. ^ "State broadcaster in Italy under fire after 'censoring' rapper". TheGuardian.com. 3 May 2021.
  33. ^ "Concertone, Lega: La Rai querela Fedez, atto dovuto. Ma lui: "Io orgogliosissimo, rifarei quel che ho fatto"". 24 May 2021.
  34. ^ "Concertone, Fedez invia alla Commissione di Vigilanza Rai una mail con tre pagliacci". 26 May 2021.
  35. ^ "Fedez, la Rai rinuncia a fargli causa dopo le accuse di censura al Concertone del Primo Maggio". October 2021.
  36. ^ "Sorpresa in commissione Vigilanza: La Rai non ha mai querelato Fedez". 12 October 2021.
  37. ^ "Pace fatta tra Rai e Fedez: Ritirata la querela e ritorno in tv per il rapper". 2 October 2021.
  38. ^ "Concertone: Fedez polemico, 'mio invito deve essersi perso' - Musica". May 2022.
  39. ^ "How is Giorgia Meloni taking control of Italian cultural institutions?". 10 May 2023.
  40. ^ Pongratz, Elisabeth. "Italiens Staatsender RAI: Zensurvorwurf gegen Regierungschefin Meloni". tagesschau.de (in German). Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  41. ^ a b Pongratz, Elisabeth. "Italiens Staatsender RAI: Zensurvorwurf gegen Regierungschefin Meloni". tagesschau.de (in German). Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  42. ^ "La Finanza in Rai, indagine dopo esposto sulle spese di viaggio di Monica Maggioni". 25 October 2017.
  43. ^ Denise Pardo (15 May 2008). L'Espresso (ed.). "Rai: l'orgia del potere". Archived from the original on 22 June 2008. Retrieved 6 August 2008.
  44. ^ "Appalti Rai: l'Indagine si allarga, nel mirino maxi-commessa a società di ristorazione". 24 February 2022.
  45. ^ a b Annuario RAI 1988 1989, Torino, Nuova ERI, 1989
  46. ^ "Rai Eri, la Rai da Leggere". Archived from the original on 9 April 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016 – via www.eri.rai.it.
  47. ^ Websushi.it, ed. (30 July 2009). "Moda e King, l'ironia patinata". Archived from the original on 30 July 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016 – via Retrovisore– un sito di Luca Pollini.
  48. ^ "ERI". Enciclopedia Treccani. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  49. ^ Rivista tecnica dal 1946, cfr. il sito.
  50. ^ Nata nel 1967 è oggi diretta da Giovanni Carli Ballola, Paolo Donati, Giorgio Pestelli, Giancarlo Rostirolla e Roman Vlad
  51. ^ Su progetto di Leonardo Sinisgalli che ne diresse la prima serie (1957-1979) è oggi diretta dal comitato scientifico di Dario Antiseri, Edoardo Boncinelli, Umberto Bottazzini, Vittorio Marchis e Silvano Tagliagambe in collaborazione con il Centro D.I.E.A. (Documentazione su Ingegneria ed Etica Ambientale) della Facoltà di Ingegneria dell'Università di Bologna.
  52. ^ Radio Orario – History (1925)
  53. ^ Images of Radiocorriere from the 1930s: "Copertina del Radiocorriere del 24 ottobre 1937" (JPEG). Retrieved 23 October 2018., "Copertina del Radiocorriere del 31 dicembre 1939" (JPEG). Retrieved 23 October 2018., Altre prime pagine dal 1936 al 1977.
  54. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 July 2007. Retrieved 24 October 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  55. ^ Radiocorriere TV 2010 TVRD edition [dead link]
  56. ^ AGI.it - 'NATA PER UNIRE', CD CANZONI 150° UNITA' ITALIA Archived 2011-02-21 at the Wayback Machine
  57. ^ "Settant'anni di storia della radio e della tv italiane nelle pagine del Radiocorriere". Spettacoli - La Repubblica (in Italian). 8 January 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  58. ^ "Corte dei Conti, alert sul debito della Rai". Repubblica.it. 13 March 2015. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  59. ^ "RAI - Radiotelevisione italiana - Abbonamenti".

41°55′4″N 12°27′59″E / 41.91778°N 12.46639°E / 41.91778; 12.46639