On December 26, 2024, Italy witnessed a fierce competition for television ratings between two popular holiday programs: the theatrical show Natale in casa Cupiello, starring Vincenzo Salemme, aired on Rai1, and the film Il Conte di Montecristo featuring Pierfrancesco Favino on Canale5. This showdown was part of the traditional post-Christmas celebrations, commonly referred to as Santo Stefano, known for high viewership levels.
The ratings battle saw Natale in casa Cupiello securing the lead with 3.346 million viewers, translating to 20.5% of the audience share. Meanwhile, Il Conte di Montecristo followed closely behind, drawing 3.250 million viewers and achieving 19% of the share, making for one of the tightest contests observed during the festive broadcasting season.
This struggle for audience attention was not merely a numbers game; it touched on cultural preferences rooted deeply in Italian traditions. Natale in casa Cupiello, based on the iconic work of Eduardo De Filippo, has long been cherished as part of holiday festivities, appealing particularly to older viewers nostalgic for classic Italian theater. Salemme's performance, celebrated for its charm and humor, once again reaffirmed the show's status as seasonal favorite.
On the other hand, Il Conte di Montecristo, adapted for television this season, brought together action and drama, intended to capture viewers seeking modern adaptations of classical literature. Its solid performance indicated there is still significant interest for retellings of timeless stories.
Other programs aired during the evening included BellaFesta on Rai2, which only managed 624,000 viewers (3.9% share), and Dallamericaruso - Il concerto perduto on Rai3, which attracted 580,000 viewers (3.4%). Meanwhile, Una tata magica on Italia1 captured 1.085 million viewers, translating to 6.4% of the share, and Cast Away on Rete4 garnered 544,000 viewers (3.5%), making them also worthy mentions for the evening’s ratings.
The ratings from the evening of December 26 reflect not only the television choices of the Italian populace but also the strategic planning of media outlets for the holiday season. With the competition heating up, channels are holding back no efforts to engage audiences, especially as they look forward to the new year and the return of original programming following the Epiphany.
Within the access prime time segment, Affari Tuoi, hosted by Stefano De Martino, proved to be highly successful with 5.022 million viewers (26.6% share). Conversely, Canale5's Striscia la Notizia managed only 3.219 million viewers (17%), showcasing how high-stakes entertainment remains key to maintaining viewer interest during this busy season.
Looking at the broader picture, the holiday period combines expectations of family-friendly content alongside beloved classics and adaptations. The success of Natale in casa Cupiello not only highlights the popularity of traditional sitcoms, it also reinforces television's role as a major presence during holiday gatherings.
With these results, it becomes evident how television networks are not just competing for ratings but also for cultural relevance, especially during the holidays. The choices made by viewers about what to watch can greatly influence the programming decisions of networks for future seasons, shaping the entertainment available for the entire country. This means we could expect even more adaptations and live performances as networks aim to solidify their viewership during similar holiday slots going forward.
Overall, the ratings results showcase how the Italian public continues to cherish their rich television traditions even as new stories are told on screen, all the more evident from this spirited battle between outdated and contemporary narratives.
