RAI

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 the 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] 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.

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.

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]

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% 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.[14][15]

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 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]

• 
  The Erberto Carboni logo used from 3 January 1954 to 1983.
• 
  Rai logo from 3 October 1983 to 26 September 1988 (Studio ARA).
• 
  The Giorgio Macchi redesign used from 26 September 1988 to 30 September 2000.
• 
  The "butterfly" logo used from 1 October 2000 to 17 May 2010 (Società AReA).
• 
  Rai logo from 18 May 2010 to 11 September 2016 (Società FrameByFrame).
• 
  Current variation of the logo introduced on 12 September 2016.

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]

Rai's broadcasts content and nominees are frequently accused of political influences,[16][17] depending both on the nominated management for every channel or news programme, and on the lack of meritocracy in contracts with television personalities, hosts and also technicians, also concerting cachets and salaries.[19] However, many people trying to underline that Rai need to balance political equity and public services with the market rules and competitors.[20] All these issues are still pending and unsolved.

Rai's main channels are culturally considered slightly politically oriented: Rai 1 is liberal or right-centred, Rai 2 is usually more right-oriented, while Rai 3 is typically considered leftist, having the majority of left oriented programmes and hosts Fabio Fazio, 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.

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 "inexcusable" censorship.[27][28][29]

In 2021, another accusation was made against Rai by famous Italian Rapper and Chiara Ferragni's Husband Fedez. During the "Concertone del 1 Maggio" 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 accusation 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 open. 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] but also because Fedez and his wife, fashion blogger Chiara Ferragni are the most followed Italians on social media and are very active in social causes and civil rights advocating. 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 very waited email with only three clown emojis, a fact that flamed, even more, 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 suing 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 Censorship scandal, Fedez reinforced some controversy against Rai when he announced he wasn't invited to the 2022 Concertone for the first time.[38]

Rai was investigated and fined (with many executives arrested or fired) for unjustified expenses and suspicious gifts.[39] Frequently It was noticed that dinners, expensive watches and jewellery were all paid by Rai for unknown people outside the company.[40]

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.[41]

Logo	Name	Channel	Type	Launched	Description
Generalist and semi generalist
	Rai 1 HD	1	Free-to-air Satellite	25 October 2013	HD version of Rai 1
	Rai 2 HD	2	Free-to-air Satellite	25 October 2013	HD version of Rai 2
	Rai 3 HD	103, 203 3	Free-to-air Satellite	25 October 2013	HD version of Rai 3
	Rai 4 HD	10	Satellite	22 January 2016	HD version of Rai 4
	Rai 5 HD	13	Satellite	19 September 2016	HD version of Rai 5
	Rai 4K	210	Satellite	17 June 2016	Ultra HD channel
Thematic
	Rai Movie HD	14	Satellite	26 May 2016	HD version of Rai Movie
	Rai Premium HD	15	Satellite	26 May 2016	HD version of Rai Premium
	Rai Gulp HD	42	Satellite	4 January 2017	HD version of Rai Gulp
	Rai Yoyo HD	43	Satellite	4 January 2017	HD version of Rai Yoyo
	Rai News 24 HD	24	Satellite	4 January 2017	HD version of Rai News 24
	Rai Storia HD	23	Satellite	4 January 2017	HD version of Rai Storia
	Rai Sport + HD	58 21	Free-to-air Satellite	14 September 2015	HD version of Rai Sport
	Rai Scuola HD	26	Satellite	4 January 2017	HD version of Rai Scuola

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.

• Rai Azzurri: UEFA Euro 2004 (2004, broadcast using Rai Utile frequencies)
• Rai Doc: cultures, styles (1 April 2004 – 1 June 2007)
• Rai Extra: generalist (31 July 2003 – 26 November 2010)
• Rai Festival (broadcast using Rai Utile frequencies)
• 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 Med (26 April 2001 – April 2014)
• Rai Olimpia: 2004 Summer Olympics (2004, broadcast using Rai Utile frequencies)
• Rai Sport 2 (18 May 2010 – 5 February 2017)
• Rai Sport 2 HD (1 August – 19 September 2016, HD version launched for 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games)
• Rai UniNettuno Sat Uno (1998 – April 2014)
• Rai Nettuno Sat Due (2003 – 1 February 2009)
• Rai Utile (4 January 2004 – 1 January 2008)
• Rai Widescreen: 1998 FIFA World Cup (1998–1999)
• Rai On Cultura (IPTV)
• Rai On Fiction (IPTV)
• Rai On Fiction Live (IPTV)
• Rai On News (IPTV)
• Rai On Ragazzi (IPTV)
• Rai On Spettacolo (IPTV)
• Rai On Sport (IPTV)
• RaiSat 1 (1997–1999)
• RaiSat 2 (1997–1999)
• RaiSat 3 or Rai Educational Sat (1997–2000)
• RaiSat Album (1 June 1999 – 30 July 2003)
• RaiSat Art (1999 – 30 July 2003)
• RaiSat Fiction (2000 – 30 July 2003)
• RaiSat Gambero Rosso Channel (1999 – 31 July 2009)
• RaiSat Ragazzi (1 July 1999 – 31 October 2006)
• RaiSat Show (1 June 1999 – 31 July 2003)
• RaiSat Smash Girls (1 November 2006 – 1 August 2009)
• Salute! (2009–2010)
• Yes Italia (2009–2012)

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

• Rai Radio 1: news and sports
• Rai Radio 2: adult contemporary music and talk shows
• Rai Radio 3: classical music and culture
• Rai Radio 3 Classica: classic and opera music
• Rai Gr Parlamento: coverage of proceedings in the Italian Parliament
• Rai Isoradio: for motorway users

Regional stations:

• Rai Südtirol: German-language programmes for the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region
• Rai Radio Trst A: Slovene-language programmes for the Friuli-Venezia Giulia/Furlanija Julijska Krajina region
• Rai Friuli Venezia Giulia: Italian, 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:

• Rai Radio Tutta Italiana: only Italian music
• Rai Radio Techete': featuring items from the radio archives
• Rai Radio Live: live music
• Rai Radio Kids: station for children from 2 to 10 years old
• Rai Radio 1 Sport: sports
• Rai Radio Indie: independent music

• RaiStereoUno (1982—1991)
• RaiStereoDue (1982—1991)
• RaiStereoNotte (1982–1995)
• RadioVerdeRai (1991—1994)
• StereoRai (1991–1994)
• Rai Italia Radio (1 July 1930 — 31 December 2011)
• Notturno Italiano (1952–2011)
• Radio Rai Sport
• Rai Radio 8 Opera (6 August 2015 — 11 June 2017)

• Rai Cinema (1998–): film production company
  • 01 Distribution (2000–): film distributor
• Rai Click (2000–2009): television programs on demand, later replaced by Rai On
• Rai Com (2015–): promotes the marketing rights of the productions
• Rai Pubblicità (1926–): advertising agency
• Rai Corporation (1960–2012): production, distribution and marketing in the United States
  • Rai Corporation Canada (1987–2012)
• RaiNet (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 (1987–2011): promoted the marketing rights of the productions
• Rai World (2011–14), previously Rai Internazionale (1995–2011): radio and television distribution abroad, operated Rai Italia
• Rai Way (1999–): broadcasting network for the distribution of the broadcast signal
• Sacis (1955–1997): television rights management and marketing

• Rai Alto Adige: 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) produced by the Centro di coordinamento informazioni sulla sicurezza stradale (Road safety information coordination center)
• Rai Orchestra: the broadcaster's radio orchestra
• RaiPlay: multimedia platform
  • RaiPlay Sound
  • RaiPlay Yoyo
• Rai Vd'A: 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.

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).[42] That same year Radiocorriere became Radiocorriere TV, which would continue to be published until RAI divested in 1995.[43]

During the 50s and 60s the ERI published Classe Unica, L'Approdo letterario and L'Approdo Musicale, and in 1969 the first edition of the DOP. The 80s saw the premiere of the monthlies Moda (1983) and King (1987),[44] along with registering a new company name in 1987: Nuova Eri Edizioni Rai-Radiotelevisione Italiana S.p.A., or "Nuova ERI".[42]

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".[45] On 15 October 2018, they renamed to "Rai Libri".

Rai Libri also edits technical publications: Elettronica e telecomunicazioni since 1946,[46] Nuova rivista musicale italiana since 1967,[47] and Nuova civiltà delle macchine since 1957.[48] 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 (originally URI) had printed its broadcast schedules nearly without interruption starting in 1925 as Radio Orario, then from 1930 as Radiocorriere,[49][50] then continuously from 1954 as Radiocorriere TV, until RAI divested in 1995.

The magazine was restarted under publisher Rcc edizioni 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),[51] 2010 (switchover to DTTV),[52] and 2011 (150th anniversary of the unification of Italy).[53] 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.[54]

• North-West: Genoa, Saint Christophe
• North-East: Bologna, Bolzano, Trento, Trieste, Venice
• Centre: Ancona, Florence, Perugia, Pescara
• South: Bari, Campobasso, Cosenza, Potenza
• Islands: Cagliari, Palermo

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.

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.[55]

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.[56]