On Friday, May 9, 2025, Italian television witnessed a competitive evening as Milly Carlucci made her much-anticipated return to Rai 1 with the debut of Sognando… Ballando con le stelle. This special show, created to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the beloved dance program Ballando con le Stelle, attracted significant viewership, drawing in 2,407,000 spectators and achieving a share of 16.7%.
In direct competition, the soap opera Tradimento aired on Canale 5, garnering an impressive 2,472,000 viewers and a share of 15.9%. The two programs overlapped in their airing times, with Sognando Ballando holding a slight advantage during their shared broadcast period, achieving a 16.4% share compared to Tradimento's 15.9%.
The evening's ratings were closely monitored, especially given the excitement surrounding Carlucci's return. Sognando Ballando con le Stelle is structured as a competition to find a new professional dancer for the upcoming season of Ballando con le Stelle, which will continue its successful run in the fall. The show's format features a familiar judging panel that includes Carolyn Smith, Fabio Canino, Ivan Zazzaroni, Selvaggia Lucarelli, and Guillermo Mariotto, who are set to evaluate the contestants alongside the viewing audience.
Despite the lower ratings compared to the original show, the debut was still considered a success, particularly as it managed to outshine the competing soap. Viewers were eager to see how the new format would unfold, and the nostalgia for the original program likely contributed to the show's initial viewership.
Meanwhile, on other channels, the film Mixed by Erry aired on Rai 2, attracting 736,000 viewers and a 4.4% share. On Italia 1, the action film Rambo III pulled in 1,114,000 viewers, securing a 6.5% share. Rai 3's FarWest managed to gather 572,000 viewers with a 3.6% share, while Quarto Grado on Rete 4 reached 1,147,000 viewers and an 8.3% share.
The variety show Propaganda Live on La7 was also part of the evening's offerings, achieving an audience of 1,004,000 viewers and a share of 7.3%. On Tv8, MasterChef attracted 539,000 viewers, which translates to a 3.6% share, and on Nove, Fratelli di Crozza gathered 954,000 viewers, equating to a 5.4% share.
In the access prime time slot, Affari Tuoi continued to dominate with 5,311,000 viewers and a remarkable 27.8% share, compared to Striscia la Notizia, which secured 2,527,000 viewers and a 13.3% share.
Overall, the ratings from Friday, May 9, reflect a diverse array of programming that appealed to various audiences across Italy. The competition between Sognando Ballando con le Stelle and Tradimento was particularly noteworthy, showcasing the ongoing popularity of both dance and soap opera formats in Italian television.
As the evening unfolded, the ratings curves indicated a strong start for Sognando Ballando, which initially led with around 18% before settling down to 16%. Conversely, Tradimento experienced a late surge, overtaking its competitor after midnight, ultimately reflecting the dynamic nature of live television viewership.
In terms of overall audience engagement, the ratings provide insight into viewer preferences and the competitive landscape of Italian television. With the strong performance of Sognando Ballando, it appears that Milly Carlucci's return to the spotlight is welcomed, even if the show did not match the original's monumental success.
As the weeks progress, it will be interesting to see how Sognando Ballando con le Stelle continues to evolve and whether it can maintain or grow its audience in the coming episodes. With the promise of new talent and the nostalgia for its predecessor, the show has the potential to carve out its own legacy in the hearts of viewers.
