On Sunday, May 4, 2025, the Italian television landscape witnessed a significant clash in viewership, with Rai1's Affari Tuoi Speciale emerging as the clear winner against Mediaset's The Couple – Una Vittoria per Due. The evening showcased a variety of programming, including entertainment shows, films, and in-depth news segments, but it was the comedy and game show format that captivated the largest audience.
Affari Tuoi Speciale, hosted by Stefano De Martino, attracted an impressive 5,291,000 viewers, translating to a 27.9% share of the audience. This special episode featured guests from the popular show Stasera Tutto è Possibile and successfully blended humor with the traditional game format, drawing viewers in with its engaging content.
In stark contrast, The Couple, which had been repositioned to Sunday evenings, struggled significantly, garnering only 951,000 viewers and a mere 7.7% share. This reality show, hosted by Ilary Blasi, has faced criticism for its lack of compelling content and poor timing, leading to speculation about its future on the air.
As the evening progressed, other channels also showcased noteworthy programming. Italia1 aired a new episode of Le Iene Presentano: Inside, which focused on love scams and attracted 1,285,000 viewers (9.9% share). Meanwhile, Nove's Che Tempo Che Fa, hosted by Fabio Fazio, drew in 1,681,000 viewers with an 8.8% share, proving to be a strong competitor in the ratings.
Rai2's long-running series NCIS – Unità Anticrimine entertained 782,000 viewers (4%), while Presadiretta on Rai3 captured the attention of 915,000 viewers (4.9%). Other channels, including Rete4 and La7, also contributed to the evening's viewing options, with Zona Bianca and Colpevole d’innocenza attracting 482,000 (3.5%) and 682,000 viewers (3.9%), respectively.
The ratings for the evening paint a clear picture of viewer preferences. With Affari Tuoi Speciale dominating the landscape, the show's blend of entertainment and interaction resonated well with the audience. In contrast, The Couple faced a harsh reality check, potentially marking one of the lowest points in Mediaset's recent history for a reality program.
The decision to move The Couple to Sunday night has been heavily scrutinized, with many critics suggesting that it has hindered the show's performance. This episode's ratings have prompted discussions about the show's future, with insiders hinting at the possibility of an early cancellation, likely wrapping up the season with only five episodes instead of the planned six.
Looking back, the competition among the major networks on this particular Sunday showcased a diverse range of programming, with each channel striving to capture the audience's attention. The results indicate a clear preference for established formats that combine humor and audience interaction, as demonstrated by the success of Affari Tuoi Speciale.
As the ratings continue to be analyzed, the implications for future programming decisions are significant. Networks will likely take these results into account when planning their upcoming schedules, especially as they aim to retain viewers in an increasingly competitive landscape.
The evening's ratings also reflect broader trends in Italian television, where established formats often outperform newer concepts, particularly in prime-time slots. The success of Affari Tuoi Speciale reinforces the idea that viewers are drawn to familiar formats that deliver consistent entertainment.
In summary, the television ratings from May 4, 2025, reveal a decisive victory for Rai1's Affari Tuoi Speciale, while Mediaset's The Couple faces an uncertain future. As networks continue to adapt to viewer preferences, the outcomes of such ratings battles will undoubtedly influence programming strategies moving forward.
