On April 25, 2025, the Italian television landscape was abuzz with the final episode of the miniseries Fuochi d’Artificio on Rai1, coinciding with the national celebration of the Festa della Liberazione. Despite the significance of the date, the show's viewership did not meet expectations, drawing in only 2,011,000 viewers, which translated to a 12.4% share. This was in stark contrast to the competition, as Canale5's new episode of Tradimento captivated 2,301,000 viewers, achieving a 14.9% share, thus winning the evening ratings battle.
In addition to these two major programs, the evening was filled with various other offerings across Italian networks. On Rai2, the film Diabolik – Ginko all’attacco! attracted 802,000 viewers, accounting for a 4.9% share. Meanwhile, Rai3 aired Il Cavallo e la Torre, hosted by Marco Damilano, which garnered 607,000 viewers (3.6% share). Rete4's Quarto Grado continued to perform well, bringing in 1,513,000 viewers and an 11.2% share, while La7's Propaganda Live reached 1,103,000 viewers with an 8.3% share.
As for the prime-time ratings, the competition was fierce. On Italia1, the film Rambo managed to attract 1,332,000 viewers, achieving a 7.6% share. Other notable mentions included Nove’s I Migliori Fratelli di Crozza, which entertained 479,000 viewers (2.8% share), and Tv8's Masterchef Italia, which had 609,000 viewers (3.5% share) in the first episode and 604,000 viewers (5.2% share) in the second episode.
In the access prime time slot, Rai1's Affari Tuoi dominated with 5,518,000 viewers, achieving an impressive 29.2% share, while Canale5's Striscia la Notizia gathered 2,487,000 viewers, representing a 13.2% share. Earlier in the day, Rai1's Cinque Minuti attracted 4,454,000 viewers (25.3% share), and Rai2's Tg2 Post managed 735,000 viewers (3.9% share).
The viewership battle on this significant holiday highlighted the ongoing struggles of Rai1, particularly with Domenica In, which has been facing stiff competition from Canale5's Amici di Maria De Filippi and Verissimo, both of which have consistently outperformed Rai's offerings. Discussions are underway at Rai1 to rethink their Sunday afternoon strategy, potentially bringing in popular figures like Massimo Giletti to help reclaim some of the lost viewership.
Looking ahead, on April 27, 2025, Giorgio Panariello will be the inaugural guest on Domenica In, hosted by Mara Venier. Panariello will share amusing anecdotes from his career and promote his new theatrical show, E se domani, which will tour across Italy. The episode will also feature actor Pino Insegno, who will discuss his recent career milestones and preview the upcoming season of Reazione a catena, set to return on June 8, 2025.
Additionally, the episode will include a heartfelt interview with Albano Carrisi and Loredana Lecciso, who will reflect on their enduring 25-year relationship and their bond with their children, Jasmine and Albano Jr. The musical segment will showcase Al Bano performing beloved hits such as "Nel sole" and "Felicità," while Francesco Baccini will present a medley from his new album, Archi e frecce.
As the television landscape continues to evolve, the ongoing competition between Rai1 and Canale5 remains a focal point for viewers and industry insiders alike. The strategies employed by both networks will be closely watched as they prepare for the upcoming season.
