On April 7, 2025, Italian television witnessed a fierce ratings battle between two prominent shows: Alberto Angela's "Ulisse - Il piacere della scoperta" on Rai 1 and Ilary Blasi's new reality game show "The Couple - Una vittoria per due" on Canale 5. While Angela's program focused on the life and art of Vincent Van Gogh, Blasi's show offered contestants a chance to win a staggering one million euros.
Angela's "Ulisse" attracted 2,843,000 viewers, translating to a 17.4% share of the audience. This marked a significant return for the beloved presenter, who has been a staple of Italian television for years. The episode, titled "Van Gogh, i colori dell'eternità," captivated viewers with its exploration of the famous painter's legacy.
However, it was Blasi's "The Couple" that emerged victorious in terms of share, garnering 2,234,000 viewers and an impressive 18.6% share. This marked a strong debut for the show, which is set to be a regular feature on Monday nights. Blasi, who has recently returned to television after a hiatus, proved that she still holds considerable sway over the Italian audience.
In the realm of talk shows, Massimo Giletti's "Lo stato delle cose" on Rai 3 saw a decline, attracting only 660,000 viewers and a 4.3% share, down from previous episodes. Meanwhile, Nicola Porro's "Quarta Repubblica" on Rete 4 managed to hold steady with 711,000 viewers and a 5.2% share.
Other notable performances included Alessia Marcuzzi's "Obbligo o verità" on Rai 2, which experienced an increase in viewership, reaching 702,000 viewers and a 4.5% share. This was a positive sign for Marcuzzi, who has been working to regain her footing in the competitive TV landscape.
In the film category, "Spider-Man" on Italia 1 attracted 1,181,000 viewers, achieving a 7.3% share. The superhero film remains a popular choice for audiences, demonstrating the enduring appeal of comic book adaptations.
Meanwhile, on La7, Corrado Augias's "La Torre di Babele" reached 693,000 viewers, translating to a 3.7% share. This program continues to engage viewers with its thought-provoking discussions on various societal issues.
In the comedy realm, "GialappaShow" on TV8 saw a drop to 662,000 viewers and a 4% share, compared to its previous episode that had higher numbers. Lastly, on Nove, "Little Big Italy" managed to attract 281,000 viewers, securing a 2% share.
In the access prime time slot, Rai 1's "Affari Tuoi" with Stefano De Martino dominated the ratings, amassing 5,856,000 viewers and a remarkable 28.5% share. This success solidifies Rai 1's position as a leader in Italian television.
As the evening progressed, the competition remained tight, with Canale 5's "Striscia la Notizia" drawing in 2,932,000 viewers and a 14.3% share. These numbers indicate a healthy rivalry between the two major networks, as they continue to vie for audience attention.
Overall, the ratings from April 7, 2025, reflect a dynamic landscape in Italian television, where established favorites like Angela and emerging stars like Blasi compete for viewer loyalty. As the weeks unfold, it will be interesting to see how these shows evolve and adapt to maintain their audiences.
With the ongoing shifts in viewer preferences, networks will undoubtedly continue to innovate and experiment with their programming to capture the attention of the Italian public.
