On February 21, 2025, Italian viewers were treated to the return of two high-profile television shows competing for audience attention during prime time. Rai1 broadcasted the much-anticipated season five premiere of The Voice Senior, hosted by Antonella Clerici, featuring celebrity judges Gigi D'Alessio, Clementino, Loredana Bertè, and Arisa. Meanwhile, Canale5 aired the second episode of its captivating drama series, Le onde del passato, starring Anna Valle and Giorgio Marchesi.
The competition between these two programs has become increasingly fierce, and on this occasion, The Voice Senior triumphed decisively. According to ratings data from Auditel, the talent show garnered 3.708 million viewers, translating to a substantial 24% share of the total audience. This marked not only the show's dominance over its Mediaset rival but also represented an increase from its previous season's debut, which recorded 21.5% share.
On the other side of the scale, Le onde del passato attracted 2.412 million viewers, achieving a respectable 14.8% share. The series, inspired by Federica Brunini's novel Due sirene in un bicchiere, has drawn attention for its thrilling narrative and strong performances by the lead characters.
The ratings fight extended beyond just these two shows. Rai network's entertainment program, Affari Tuoi, led the night with 5.987 million viewers (29.9% share), proving its continued popularity as a staple evening choice for many Italian families. With such figures, it’s clear where viewers' preferences lie as they engage with diverse content offerings.
The competition didn’t stop there; other networks aired various programs, albeit with lower viewership rates. Rai2 featured the film Il mio nome è vendetta, which garnered 640,000 viewers (3.6% share), and Rai3's show Far West captured just 509,000 viewers (3.1% share). Italia1's film Safe House: Nessuno è al sicuro managed 962,000 viewers (5.7%). Meanwhile, Quarto Grado on Rete4 attracted 1.176 million viewers (8.3%), and La7's Propaganda Live had 946,000 viewers (6.9%).
The sharp competition observed between The Voice Senior and Le onde del passato signifies not just the battle for viewers but highlights the strategic programming decisions made by Rai and Mediaset. With The Voice Senior clearly leading the pack, it seems the show's mix of musical talent and seasoned judges continues to resonate well with audiences.
Following its Friday night airings, the conversation among viewers and critics alike will likely shift to what’s next for both shows. How will Le onde del passato adapt to reclaim its audience share? Is there potential for The Voice Senior to continue its upward trend?
The February 21 showings painted a vivid picture of viewer behavior, preferences, and television trends within the Italian market. The balance of power among these competitive shows might change, but for now, The Voice Senior stands prominently atop the ratings charts, leaving Le onde del passato to strategize for the upcoming weeks.