Rai has outlined its upcoming programming strategy, centering on a blend of returning flagship fictions like Il Paradiso delle Signore and new true-crime productions such as 117 giorni – Il rapimento di Farouk. The schedule prioritizes stability on Rai 1 while introducing revised political talk formats on Rai 2 and a curated cinema slate on Rai 3, according to the network’s latest programming reveals.
What new fictions are coming to Rai?
The network is expanding its drama portfolio with several new titles and the return of established hits. Doc returns for a fourth season consisting of 16 episodes, while Il Paradiso delle Signore and Un Posto al Sole continue their long-running tenures. New additions include La famiglia Panini – L’avventura delle Figurine, a period drama based on Luigi Garlando’s novel L’album dei sogni starring Serena Rossi and Simone Liberati.
True crime and biographical dramas feature prominently in the new slate:
- 117 giorni – Il rapimento di Farouk: A six-episode series focusing on the 1992 kidnapping of Farouk Kassam, with Marco Bocci in the lead.
- Livatino – Il giudice e i suoi Assassini: A miniseries directed by Michele Placido detailing the life and assassination of magistrate Rosario Livatino.
- Tutto l’amore che resta: A high school-set drama starring Raoul Bova and Giulia Bevilacqua, adapted from the series Lycée Toulouse-Lautrec.
- Una Finestra Vista Lago: A 1930s mystery-comedy based on Andrea Vitali’s novels, featuring Antonio Folletto and Paola Minaccioni.
For RaiPlay, the network is launching Memoriae, a 12-episode series exploring a mysterious mass amnesia event in the mountain village of Vallata.
Which international series and movies will air?
Rai 1 will broadcast the Netflix series La Legge di Lidia Poët on Tuesday evenings, marking a strategic partnership to bring the Matilda De Angelis-led drama to a wider linear audience. The network also continues its acquisition of US procedurals, with The Rookie (Season 8), NCIS (Season 23), and FBI (Season 8) scheduled for the autumn and winter windows.
Other international highlights include Rise of the Raven, an Austro-Hungarian co-production about Janos Hunyadi, and the network’s first Korean series, Snow White Must Die. On the cinematic front, Rai 3 maintains its focus on auteur cinema with titles such as Civil War, Conclave, and American Fiction. Rai 4 will target genre fans with The Substance and Late Night with the Devil.
How is the variety and talk show schedule changing?
Rai 2 is attempting to reclaim its identity as a political hub during an election year. Starting October 7, Roberto Inciocchi will host Patù on Wednesday nights. Additionally, Elenoire Casalegno will launch Formidabile on Mondays to review the history of Rai 2 programming.
Rai 1’s prime-time schedule is anchored by several high-profile events:
- September 2: Roma Baby (Cremonini Live at Circo Massimo).
- September 18-19: Music Awards with Carlo Conti and Vanessa Incontrada.
- October 3 – December 19: Ballando con le Stelle.
- December 18: The lead-up to the Sanremo Festival.
On Rai 3, Carlo Lucarelli returns with Blu Notte – Misteri Dimenticati on Saturdays starting September 19, alongside the return of the investigative program Petrolio.
Programming Timeline at a Glance
| Date | Program/Event | Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Sept 2 | Cremonini Live Circo Massimo | Rai 1 |
| Sept 18-19 | Music Awards | Rai 1 |
| Sept 19 | Blu Notte – Misteri Dimenticati | Rai 3 |
| Oct 3 | Ballando con le Stelle | Rai 1 |
| Oct 7 | Patù (Political Talk) | Rai 2 |
| Oct 12 | Formidabile | Rai 2 |
This programming cycle reflects a “safety-first” approach on the primary channel while using Rai 2 and RaiPlay to experiment with niche genres and political commentary. The integration of Netflix content on Rai 1 suggests a shifting strategy in how the public broadcaster handles streaming competition.