On May 8, 2025, Italian television ratings reflected a significant event as the election of Pope Leone XIV captured the nation’s attention. The white smoke signaling the election led to a spike in viewership across various networks, particularly on Rai1, where the special programming garnered impressive numbers.
The special edition of Porta a Porta, airing from 20:36 to 23:21, attracted 3,252,000 viewers, translating to a 16.9% share. This was a notable increase, showcasing the public's interest in the papal election.
In contrast, Canale 5's Speciale TG5, which aired from 20:39 to 23:36, managed to draw 1,412,000 viewers, achieving a 7.9% share. The program was a part of the broader coverage surrounding the election, which saw a variety of shows adapting their content to fit the occasion.
During the day, the TG1 Edizione Straordinaria on Rai1, which aired from 18:08 to 19:57, reached a staggering 7,566,000 viewers, capturing 42.8% of the audience. This was the highest rating of the day, underscoring the significance of the event in the public's eye.
While the prime time ratings were dominated by coverage of the papal election, other shows also saw varying degrees of success. The Vicino all’orizzonte on Rai2 attracted 1,065,000 viewers, which accounted for a 6.1% share, while Mission: Impossible – Fallout on Italia1 garnered 1,086,000 viewers (7.6% share).
Rai3's Momenti di gloria recorded a modest 418,000 viewers, or 2.4% share, while Dritto e Rovescio on Rete4 managed to reach 992,000 viewers, achieving a 7.1% share.
On La7, Piazzapulita pulled in 987,000 viewers, translating to a 7% share. Meanwhile, the Conference League match featuring Fiorentina against Betis on Tv8 attracted 1,989,000 viewers, marking an 11.1% share. This match was particularly engaging, with viewership peaking during the second half at 2,127,000 viewers.
Despite the competition, Striscia la Notizia on Canale 5 found its place within the special programming, drawing 2,646,000 viewers (12.5% share). This was a slight increase from the previous week, where the show garnered 2,546,000 viewers (12.2% share).
In the late-night segment, Otto e Mezzo on La7 attracted 1,956,000 viewers (9.1% share), although this was a decline from the previous episode's 2,049,000 viewers (9.5% share). On Rete4, 4 di Sera saw a slight increase, with 1,068,000 viewers (5.1%) in the first part and 1,006,000 viewers (4.7%) in the second part.
For the daytime ratings, TG1 provided substantial coverage, with its morning edition reaching 563,000 viewers (14.2%) and the 8 AM broadcast hitting 1,177,000 viewers (23.2%). Unomattina also performed well, attracting 966,000 viewers (21.4%).
Overall, the day was marked by the historic election of Pope Leone XIV, which not only captivated viewers but also significantly influenced television ratings across the board. The event showcased the power of major news events in shaping audience behavior and programming decisions in Italian media.
In summary, the ratings from May 8, 2025, reveal a landscape where significant national events can drive viewership and engagement, altering the typical patterns of television consumption. As networks adapted their programming to cover the papal election, the audience responded in kind, demonstrating a collective interest in the unfolding drama of the day.
