It is certainly not an easy moment for Rai, which is facing a transformation partly forced by others. There is a lot of talk about pressure from above, denied several times by the CEO Roberto Sergio and, at present, few seem to be certain of their place. This is demonstrated by the decision to do so clean sweep of three programs in one fell swoop.
Rai, programs cancelled
After the farewell of Amadeus, who officially moved to the Nine, Rai seems to have fallen into a phase of chaos. We are repeatedly talking about the risk of losing other well-known faceswhose departure from the public network would certainly lead to a lack of ratings.
This opens up a complex picture to analyze. For some individuals, such as Fazio and Ranucci, one certainly cannot speak of an easy and serene relationship with Giorgia Meloni’s government. At the same time, however, having to give it up creates a long-standing problem in terms of ratings and, ultimately, budgets.
The agitation is evident in Viale Mazzini, where it was decided to cancel Strong and Clear, program hosted by Chiara Francini. The reason? Audiences well below expectations. Here is the communication from the Prime Time Management: “The project conceived with experimental purposes, despite conveying important and original values, did not produce the desired results”.
Such a disaster that not even the third and final episode was broadcast. A bitter pill that is difficult to digest for the presenter, who however officially denies the flop.
Another round and another woman placed before the implacable judgment of Rai ratings and taste. It is Alessia Marcuzzi, even if in reality it is only her who is subjected to scrupulous analysis Very booming. A more serene atmosphere around the presenter, unlike what is suspected regarding her colleague.
There will not be a third season, due to ratings that are not disastrous but declining. It is therefore preferable not to invest in a project that does not offer sufficient guarantees. For Marcuzzi, however, there would be room for a new format to be tested, again on Rai 2.
In the current climate, we must consider ourselves lucky to be back in the good graces of Rai and the executive. In fact, it is not an easy thing. Ranucci, sued by Gasparri, knows this well. He would also be at risk TV TalkMassimo Bernardini’s historic program on Rai 3. He reports it Dagospia, which actually sheds more light on the conductor. It may not be renewed but, in its absence, it is not clear whether an attempt will be made to replace it or whether we will opt to cancel a piece of recent history of public television.
The Rai budget
We seem to have returned to the launch phase of Mediaset, with the new one advancing and trying to throw the Rai schedules into a corner. Warner Bros. Discovery is attempting an assault with new names, confirmed and courted, on Nine. However, the public network itself is taking care of the rest.
The budget crisis is certainly not an issue to be blamed on the Meloni government, let’s be clear. However, it undoubtedly has a weight, especially because now the appeal of the past seems to be disappearing.
Budget published in summer 2023, The Express dedicated a careful analysis to the economic condition of the company. The result? Between 2001 and 2021 the Rai group accumulated losses of 520 million euros. Looking at the overall deficit, however, the total figure updated just under a year ago was 691.5 million.
Society lives with economic problems, which could also be called disasters. It receives 1.7-1.8 billion euros from the license fee, more than 500 million euros from advertising, media, and then government contributions. However, all this is not enough, also considering how among the many expenditures there are public contributions to newspapers, which receive sums redirected from the license fee.
A situation that sooner or later we will be forced to face. A Pandora’s box that one fears opening, above all because the only solution it could be privatization. A concept that, in general, does not bother Meloni in general. In this regard, we recall the Gasparri law of 2004, which provided for a listing on the stock exchange, with a minority share available on the market.
Berlusconi, in government at the time, gave up on the project, which would certainly have resulted in a reduced political presence in the offices of the radio and television company. Who can say that this executive is not willing to say goodbye to this “privilege”.
Tags: canceled programs budgets red QuiFinanza
