On Sunday, May 4, 2025, the Italian television landscape was dominated by a fierce ratings battle between two popular shows: Affari Tuoi Speciale on Rai1 and The Couple on Canale 5. The evening was filled with a mix of game shows, reality TV, and investigative journalism, showcasing the diverse tastes of Italian viewers.
Leading the charge was Affari Tuoi Speciale, hosted by Stefano De Martino, which captivated audiences with an impressive 5,291,000 viewers and a remarkable share of 27.9%. The show, known for its engaging format and lively atmosphere, featured a contestant named Benedetta from Umbria, who came to try her luck amidst the excitement of surprise packages. The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the guest appearance of Vincenzo De Lucia, who entertained the audience with his famous impersonation of Maria De Filippi, leaving viewers in stitches. Additionally, the live performance by Serena Brancale, who delivered a touching rendition of "Anema e Core," further enriched the show's appeal.
In stark contrast, The Couple, hosted by Ilary Blasi, struggled to maintain viewer interest. The reality show, which focuses on testing the compatibility of couples, faced a significant decline, attracting only 951,000 viewers and a mere 7.7% share. This marked a dramatic drop in viewership, as the show had previously enjoyed more favorable ratings. The episode saw the elimination of sisters Irma and Lucia Testa, while Jasmine Carrisi and Pierangelo Greco managed to stay in the competition, winning over both judges and the audience. However, the show's shift to a Sunday time slot did not yield the desired results, leading to speculation about its future.
The dismal performance of The Couple was further highlighted by the success of other programs airing concurrently. Le Iene Inside, which aired on Italia 1, garnered 1,285,000 viewers and a 9.9% share, demonstrating that audiences were more drawn to investigative journalism and entertainment than reality TV. Similarly, Presa Diretta on Rai3 attracted 915,000 viewers (4.9% share), while N.C.I.S. – Unità Anticrimine secured 782,000 viewers (4% share).
The ratings battle extended to news programs as well, with the Tg1 news segment achieving a commendable 26% share, outperforming its competitors Tg5 and Tg La7, which reached 20% and 6% shares, respectively. The evening's news offerings underscored the public's demand for reliable information amidst a busy weekend.
As the night progressed, Che Tempo Che Fa, hosted by Fabio Fazio, performed admirably, drawing in 1,681,000 viewers and an 8.8% share in its first segment. This was followed by Zona Bianca on Rete 4, which managed to attract 482,000 viewers (3.5% share) and Colpevole d’innocenza on La7, which reached 682,000 viewers (3.9% share).
The overall ratings for the evening painted a clear picture of viewer preferences. The success of Affari Tuoi Speciale highlighted the audience's appetite for engaging entertainment that combines humor and surprise, while the struggles of The Couple raised questions about the show's future viability. Critics have pointed out that the reality format has become stale, with many viewers feeling that the show lacks a distinct identity and engaging content.
Reflecting on the situation, industry insiders have noted that the shift in programming strategy for The Couple was a gamble that did not pay off. The show's move to Sunday was seen as an attempt to revitalize interest, but instead, it may have contributed to its downfall. Viewers appear to have lost patience with the format, which has struggled to deliver compelling storylines and relatable content.
Looking ahead, the future of The Couple remains uncertain. With the potential for early cancellation looming, the show's creators face mounting pressure to revamp the format or risk losing their audience entirely. As Mediaset prepares to launch new programming, including a revamped version of Isola dei Famosi, the network must grapple with the challenge of regaining viewer trust and interest.
In conclusion, the ratings battle of May 4, 2025, serves as a stark reminder of the volatile nature of television viewership. While Affari Tuoi Speciale celebrated a triumphant evening, The Couple faced the harsh reality of dwindling audiences. The contrasting performances of these two shows reflect broader trends in viewer preferences, highlighting the importance of innovation and relevance in the ever-evolving landscape of Italian television.
