Eurovision fans in Italy are smiling ear to ear with the news that RAI — Italy’s public broadcaster — will move the grand final to its principle channel RAI 1 in 2016. Since Italy’s return in 2011, the finale has been aired on RAI 2, the main station’s less popular little sister. The contest in Stockholm will mark the first time in 25 years that Eurovision has been given the plum spot on the plum network on Saturday primetime. The last time that happened was in 1991, when Italy hosted the contest in Rome.
The move isn’t just to celebrate the fact Il Volo won last year’s televote. As Soundsblog.it explains, this is a numbers game — and Eurovision brought in some impressive figures last year. RAI 2 clocked around 3.3 million viewers, which was good enough for a 16.3% market share.
Sanremo as national selection
That’s not all folks. Eurofestival News is reporting that Italy will once again use Sanremo to select its Eurovision 2016 artist. The artist will come from the “Campioni” division, which caters to established artists and last year saw the likes of Nina Zilli and Lara Fabian competing.
Since returning to Eurovision in 2011 Italy has landed in the Top 10 every year except 2014, when Emma Marrone finished a disappointing 23rd.
Are you loving all the news coming out of Italy? Why does Sanremo work well as a selection? Let us know in the comments box below!
Rome 2017? Get the rest of the Mediterranean on it and they just might.
Yeah, I know what you meant. I disagree.
By unfair I meant that it didn’t deserve 2nd place at all – it should’ve been in a place like Emma.
I hope they get a good result next year or it could be back to RAI2.
Their result in 2011 was not “unfair”, except for the fact that it was beaten by a cheat so arguably should have been the winner.
Such a good choice. Vincezo’s and Il Volo’s success has made ESC (and to some extent JESC?) a much bigger priority and Italy is turning out to be one of the best ESC countries these past few years with me only disliking their 2011 song. I feel like with better vocals, Emma couldve easily been top 10 and Italy’s 2014 placing was just as unfair as their 2011 placing. Sanremo is such a good selection as it would only make ESC more popular in Italy and the format is very appropriate. It’s how my country (United Kingdom) should do their… Read more »
Pft Sanremo. I hope Italy will be as lucky as this year letting win a good song
Emma was 21st?
Sweden still deserved their win in 2015… italys song was to dated. better luck in 2016.
Måns was the best in 2015….by far.
Nice to hear.
It shows Italy takes the contest more seriously now.