Radiotelevisione Italiana

Italian public service broadcaster

Also known as: RAI

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Last updated

July 13, 2026

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Radiotelevisione Italiana, or RAI, is Italy's public service broadcaster. Originally founded in 1924, it evolved into a partnership between public authorities and private interests. The Italian government acquired a significant stake, and a parliamentary committee oversees its operations. RAI's revenue comes from broadcast advertising and receiving-set licenses. While the state monopoly on broadcasting ended in 1976, RAI continues to be a major player alongside numerous private television stations in Italy.1

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broadcasting
Partnership of public authorities and private interests
…example is Radiotelevisione Italiana (RAI), originally founded in 1924. In 1927 an agreement was made with the government for a 25-year broadcasting concession. The charter was extended to cover television in 1952. Two years later a government agency acquired control, and in 1985 it owned 99 percent of the…
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…example is Radiotelevisione Italiana (RAI), originally founded in 1924. In 1927 an agreement was made with the government for a 25-year broadcasting concession. The charter was extended to cover television in 1952. Two years later a government agency acquired control, and in 1985 it owned 99 percent of the…
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Italy
Film
The Radiotelevisione Italiana (RAI) and Fininvest are presently Italy’s largest film producers, accounting for more than half of the film output, which numbers several hundred films and television productions each year. Rome’s Cinecittà also sees many non-Italian productions each year, particularly of films treating historical themes;…
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The Radiotelevisione Italiana (RAI) and Fininvest are presently Italy’s largest film producers, accounting for more than half of the film output, which numbers several hundred films and television productions each year. Rome’s Cinecittà also sees many non-Italian productions each year, particularly of films treating historical themes;…
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public affairs television programming
Italy
Radiotelevisione Italiana, the public television broadcaster owned by the state, was founded in 1924 as URI (later Radiotelevisione Italiana Spa). Public broadcasting in Italy is not as independent as in Germany, since in Italy government and political parties intervene in public affairs programming. In 1975…
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Radiotelevisione Italiana, the public television broadcaster owned by the state, was founded in 1924 as URI (later Radiotelevisione Italiana Spa). Public broadcasting in Italy is not as independent as in Germany, since in Italy government and political parties intervene in public affairs programming. In 1975…
Read More