Rai 1 () is an Italian free-to-air television channel owned and operated by state-owned public broadcaster RAI – Radiotelevisione italiana. It is the company's flagship television channel, and is known for broadcasting mainstream and generalist programming, usually aimed towards families, including '' TG1'' news bulletins,

prime time Prime time or the peak time is the block of broadcast programming taking place during the middle of the evening for a television show. It is mostly targeted towards adults (and sometimes families). It is used by the major television networks to ...

drama, cinema and entertainment, and major

breaking news Breaking news, interchangeably termed late-breaking news and also known as a special report or special coverage or news flash, is a current issue that broadcasters feel warrants the interruption of scheduled programming or current news in orde ...

, sports and special events. It was launched on 3 January 1954 as the first regular television service in Italy. It was the only one until 4 November 1961, when RAI launched a second channel. The channel was initially referred to as "Programma Nazionale". It received other names, such as "Rete 1" and "Raiuno" until it adopted its current name "Rai 1". It has the highest viewership in Italy, and regularly competes with

Mediaset Mediaset Italia S.p.A., also known as Mediaset, is an Italian-based mass media company which is the largest commercial broadcaster in the country. The company is controlled by the holding company MFE - MediaForEurope. Founded in 1987 by former ...

's Canale 5. In the United Kingdom, it is available in free to air satellite broadcast from Hot Bird 13B.

Early history

The first set of programming for Rai 1 was almost completely educational with no advertising, except for the popular Carosello. Early shows were meant to teach a common language to a country torn apart by

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...

. Shows like ''Non è mai troppo tardi...'' were simply shot in a classroom setting and meant to help with reconstruction. While televisions were not widely available nor affordable, those who could spend the money on them became community leaders and often invited the neighborhood to visit. Bars and cafés turned from places where men would meet to argue or play cards into miniature cinemas where arguments over what show to watch would break out. Women and children were also more accepted inside the bars due to the lack of men post-war and their need to enter working society. Churches also bought televisions are a means of drawing people to spend time as part of those communities.

High-definition feed

The channel launched an

HDTV High-definition television (HD or HDTV) describes a television system which provides a substantially higher image resolution than the previous generation of technologies. The term has been used since 1936; in more recent times, it refers to the ...

1080i simulcast in September 2013, available nationwide on subscription-television providers and on DTT (channel 1). Previously, HD programs used to be aired on Rai HD.

Logos

File:Logo Raiuno 1983.svg, 3 October 1983 to 26 September 1988 File:Rai 1 logo.svg, 18 May 2010 to 12 September 2016 File:Rai 1 - Logo 2016.svg, In use since September 2016

Directors of Rai 1

* Giuseppe Matteucci: 1954–1976 * Mimmo Scarano: 1976–1979 * Paolo Valmarana: 1980 * Emmanuele Milano: 1980–1987 * Giuseppe Rossini: 1987–1989 * Carlo Fuscagni: 1989–1993 * Nadio Delai: 1993–1994 * Brando Giordani: 1994–1996 * Giovanni Tantillo: 1996–1998 * Agostino Saccà: 1998–2000, 2001–2002 * Pier Luigi Celli: 2000 * Maurizio Beretta: 2000–2001 * Fabrizio Del Noce: 2002–2009 * Mauro Mazza: 2009–2012 * Giancarlo Leone: 2012–2016 * Andrea Fabiano: 2016–2017 * Angelo Teodoli: 2017–2018 * Teresa De Santis: 2018–2020 * Stefano Coletta: 2020–present

Current programmes

News

*'' TG1'', the main news service, directed by Giuseppe Carboni *''

TV7 Channel 7 or TV7 may refer to: Television networks, channels and stations ;Algeria * TV7 (Algerian TV channel) ; Argentina * Channel 7 (Argentina), a government-owned Argentine TV station *Channel 7 – Bahía Blanca, an Argentine TV station in Bu ...

'', weekly late-night news programme *''

Rai Meteo RAI – Radiotelevisione italiana (; commercially styled as Rai since 2000; known until 1954 as Radio Audizioni Italiane) is the national public broadcasting company of Italy, owned by the Ministry of Economy and Finance. RAI operates many terr ...

'', weather bulletin *'' Speciale TG1'', enquiring programme *'' Porta a Porta'', late-night talk show

Events

*'' Festival di Sanremo'' *'' Eurovision Song Contest'' *'' Zecchino d'Oro'' *''

Festival di Castrocaro The Castrocaro Music Festival, also known as Concorso per Voci Nuove, is an Italian musical contest which takes place every year in the town of Castrocaro Terme e Terra del Sole, near Forlì, from 1957. The competition is exclusively reserved for ne ...

'' *'' David di Donatello'' *'' Junior Eurovision Song Contest''

Entertainment

*'' Tale e Quale Show'' *'' La Corrida'' *' *''

L'eredità ''L'eredità'' (''The inheritance'') is an Italian Rai 1 game show. It premiered on 29 July 2002. From 29 July 2002 to 10 June 2006, it was hosted by Italian presenter Amadeus. He was succeeded by Carlo Conti, who hosted the show until 14 Apr ...

Documentaries and Culture

*'' SuperQuark'', hosted by Piero Angela *''

Quark Atlante A quark () is a type of elementary particle and a fundamental constituent of matter. Quarks combine to form composite particles called hadrons, the most stable of which are protons and neutrons, the components of atomic nuclei. All commonly ...

'', ''SuperQuark'' Saturday afternoon spin-off, focusing on wilderness and adventure *'' Lineablu'', focusing on the Mediterranean Sea and shores, hosted by

Donatella Bianchi Donatella is an Italian feminine given name meaning "gift" or "gift of God". People * Donatella Agostinelli (born 1974), Italian politician * Donatella Arpaia (born 1971), American restaurateur and television chef * Donatella Finocchiaro (born 197 ...

*'' Linea Verde'', focusing on wilderness, agriculture and rural cooking, hosted by

Patrizio Roversi Patrizio is an Italian male personal name. It is the Italian form of Patrick. * Patrizio Bertelli (born 1946), Italian businessman * Patrizio Bianchi (born 1952), Italian economist and politician * Patrizio Buanne (born 1978), Italian baritone ...

and Daniela Ferolla *'' Overland World Truck Expedition'', adventure and documentary expeditions *''

Passaggio a Nord-Ovest Passaggio () is a term used in classical singing to describe the transition area between the vocal registers. The ''passaggi'' (plural) of the voice lie between the different vocal registers, such as the chest voice, where any singer can produce ...

'', focusing on history and archaeology *'' Cinematografo'', focusing on cinema *''

Rewind – Visioni private Rewind may refer to: General uses * Rewind, the process of winding magnetic tape inside a cassette or a microfilm reel backwards to a previous point on the reel ** Rewind symbol, a media control symbol indicating tape rewind or analogous operatio ...

'', focusing on TV history *'' Magazzini Einstein'', focusing on arts and culture

TV Series

*'' Il Commissario Montalbano'', with Luca Zingaretti, produced in HD since Season 9 *'' Il giovane Montalbano'' (prequel of "Il Commissario Montalbano"), with Michele Riondino and

Alessio Vassallo Alessio is a mostly Italian male name, Italian form of Alexius. Individuals with the given name Alessio *Alessio Ascalesi (1872–1952), Italian cardinal *Alessio Boni (born 1966), Italian actor *Alessio Cerci (born 1987), Italian footballer *A ...

, produced in HD *'' Don Matteo'', with Terence Hill, Nino Frassica and Natalie Guetta, produced in HD since Season 7 *''

Un passo dal cielo ''Un passo dal cielo'' (''One step from heaven'') is an Italian television series, aired in Italy on Rai 1 and Rai HD, starring Terence Hill as commander of the State Forestry Corps in the Italian village of San Candido and Enrico Ianniello as th ...

'', with Terence Hill, produced in HD *'' Fuoriclasse'', with Luciana Littizzetto, produced in HD *''

Che Dio ci aiuti ''Che Dio ci aiuti'' is an Italian TV series that has been broadcast in Italy since December 2011. ''Che Dio ci aiuti'' (translation: May God help us) is an Italian TV series. The pilot was aired in Italy on December 15, 2011. Plot Sister Ang ...

'', with Elena Sofia Ricci, produced in HD *'' Der letzte Bulle'', with Henning Baum and , produced in HD *'' Provaci ancora prof'', with Veronica Pivetti and Enzo Decaro, produced in HD since Season 5 *''

Questo nostro amore ''Questo'' is a monotypic genus of Australian araneomorph spiders in the family Trachycosmidae containing the single species, ''Questo annuello'', named after where it was found, Annuello, Victoria. It was first described by Norman I. Platnick ...

'', historical drama with Anna Valle and Neri Marcorè, produced in HD *'' Um Himmels Willen'', with Fritz Wepper, produced in HD since Season 8 *'' Un medico in famiglia'', with

Lino Banfi Lino Banfi (born Pasquale Zagaria; 9 July 1936) is an Italian film actor and presenter. He has appeared in more than 100 films since 1960. Biography He was born in the Apulian city of Andria and at the age of three, moved to Canosa di Puglia. Li ...

, Giulio Scarpati and

Margot Sikabonyi Margot Sikabonyi (; née Laura Marguerite Sikabonyi; born 16 December 1982), is an Italian actress. Biography She has a Canadian mother and a Hungarian father. She plays the role of Maria Martini on the Italian TV series ''Un medico in famigl ...

, produced in HD since Season 6 *''

Una pallottola nel cuore Una and UNA may refer to: Places * 160 Una, the asteroid "Una", an asteroid named after the Faerie Queene character * Una River (disambiguation), numerous rivers * Una, Himachal Pradesh, a town in India ** Una, Himachal Pradesh Assembly constitu ...

'', with Gigi Proietti, produced in HD

Sports

* FIFA World Cup Finals (if Italy team involved only, 1954–

2014 File:2014 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Stocking up supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the Western African Ebola virus epidemic; Citizens examining the ruins after the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping; Bundles of wat ...

) * UEFA European Championship * UEFA European Under-21 Championship (5 matches: three Italy group matches, one semi-final, and one final) * UEFA Nations League (Italy matches only, plus a final) * Italy national football team: Nations League, qualifiers, friendlies, and finals tournament

Kids

44 Cats ''44 Cats'' () is an Italian Computer animation, computer-animated children's television series created by Iginio Straffi. The series is mainly produced by the Rainbow S.r.l., Rainbow studio, which was co-owned by Viacom (2005-2019), Viacom at the ...

Jurassic Cubs The Jurassic ( ) is a geologic period and stratigraphic system that spanned from the end of the Triassic Period million years ago (Mya) to the beginning of the Cretaceous Period, approximately Mya. The Jurassic constitutes the middle period o ...

* Prezzemolo * Tommy e Oscar * Topo Gigio * Piccolo Pollone * Chappy

Early programmes

Until the autumn 1976/77 season, regular broadcasting was in monochrome (black and white), with very few exceptions (shown in bold). Regular color broadcasting began during the winter 1976/77 season. *''Un due tre...'' aka ''1, 2, 3'', satire/variety show starring Raimondo Vianello e Ugo Tognazzi. Considered one of the most influential shows in Italian television history, it was discontinued in 1959 after the duo performed an ironic sketch about then-president of the Republic, Giovanni Gronchi (six seasons, from 19 January 1954 to 2 August 1959). *''Lascia o raddoppia'', a one-hour-long game show hosted by Mike Bongiorno (1955–59, on Thursday, at 9:00 PM, except for the first season shown on Saturday night). *''

Primo applauso ''Primo applauso'' was an Italian variety show, broadcast on Rai 1 (at the time "Programma Nazionale") in 1956. The program marked the television debut of Enzo Tortora, who was initially picked only to play the role of assistant of Silvana Pampani ...

'', early talent show hosted by

Enzo Tortora Enzo Tortora (30 November 1928 – 18 May 1988) was an Italian TV host on national RAI television, who was unjustly convicted of being a member of the Camorra and drug trafficking in 1985, and sentenced to 10 years in jail. He was acquitted of ...

and Silvana Pampanini. The clap-o-metre was introduced to Italian television during this programme. Magician Silvan and singer Adriano Celentano debuted in ''Primo Applauso'' (from 29 April 1956 until December of the same year, Sunday night, 9:00 PM). *''Telematch'', variety/game show hosted by

and

Silvio Noto Silvio Noto (25 December 1926 – 24 October 2000) was an Italian TV and radio presenter, actor and voice actor. Born in Bari, graduated in law, Noto became first known as radio-host after the first World War. He became popular as the host of ...

(from 6 January 1957 to July 1958, Sunday night at 9:15 PM). *''La macchina per vivere'', health care/educational programme about the human body (two seasons, from 31 January 1957, Thursday night at 10:45 PM). *'' Il Musichiere'', one-hour-long Italian version of '' Name That Tune'', hosted by Mario Riva until his death (1957–60, on Saturday nights at 9:00 PM). *''Campanile Sera'', one-hour-long game show, hosted by

, Mike Bongiorno and Enza Sampò (1959–61, on Thursday at 9:00 PM). One of the various games on the show, "il gioco dei prezzi", was an early Italian incarnation of '' The Price Is Right'' franchise. *''Studio Uno'', Saturday night variety show, hosted mainly by Mina (1961–66, 9:00 PM). *''L'amico del giaguaro'', Saturday night comedy/variety show, hosted by Corrado and starring

Gino Bramieri Gino Bramieri (; 21 June 1928 – 18 June 1996) was an Italian comedian and actor. He was especially known as a television comedian, but also performed in theatres, on radio, and in about thirty movies. He was nicknamed "Il Re della barzelletta ...

, Marisa Del Frate and Raffaele Pisu. Broadcast during 1961, 1962 and 1964 summer seasons, at 9:00 PM. *''Giocagiò'', daytime half-hour-long Italian version of the BBC children show ''

Play School Play School or Playschool may refer to: Television * ''Play School'' (British TV series), a BBC production aimed at preschool children * ''Play School'' (Australian TV series), an Australian Broadcasting Corporation production based on the Briti ...

'' (1966–70, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, at 5:00 PM) *''

L'Odissea L'Odissea may refer to: * The Odyssey (1968 miniseries), or L'Odissea, a European TV miniseries * L'Odissea (1911 film) ''L'Odissea'' is a 1911 Italian silent film, the third known adaptation from Homer's ''Odyssey''. The film was made in the cont ...

'', eight one hour episodes of a screenplay of

Homer Homer (; grc, Ὅμηρος , ''Hómēros'') (born ) was a Greek poet who is credited as the author of the '' Iliad'' and the '' Odyssey'', two epic poems that are foundational works of ancient Greek literature. Homer is considered one of ...

's ''

Odyssey The ''Odyssey'' (; grc, Ὀδύσσεια, Odýsseia, ) is one of two major Ancient Greek literature, ancient Greek Epic poetry, epic poems attributed to Homer. It is one of the oldest extant works of literature still widely read by moder ...

'', directed by Franco Rossi and starring Bekim Fehmiu as

Odysseus Odysseus ( ; grc-gre, Ὀδυσσεύς, Ὀδυσεύς, OdysseúsOdyseús, ), also known by the Latin variant Ulysses ( , ; lat, UlyssesUlixes), is a legendary Greek king of Ithaca and the hero of Homer's epic poem the ''Odyssey''. Odysse ...

and Irene Papas as Penelope. This Italian-German-French-Yugoslavian co-production was broadcast for the first time in Italy from 24 March 1968, on Sunday night, at 9:05 PM. In colour, but the program was shown in black and white in Italy the very first time it was aired. *'' Eneide'', seven one hour episodes of a screenplay of

Virgil Publius Vergilius Maro (; traditional dates 15 October 7021 September 19 BC), usually called Virgil or Vergil ( ) in English, was an ancient Roman poet of the Augustan period. He composed three of the most famous poems in Latin literature: t ...

's ''

Aeneid The ''Aeneid'' ( ; la, Aenē̆is or ) is a Latin Epic poetry, epic poem, written by Virgil between 29 and 19 BC, that tells the legendary story of Aeneas, a Troy, Trojan who fled the Trojan_War#Sack_of_Troy, fall of Troy and travelled to ...

'', directed by Franco Rossi and starring Giulio Brogi (

Aeneas In Greco-Roman mythology, Aeneas (, ; from ) was a Trojan hero, the son of the Trojan prince Anchises and the Greek goddess Aphrodite (equivalent to the Roman Venus (mythology), Venus). His father was a first cousin of King Priam of Troy (both ...

) and Olga Karlatos ( Dido). This Italian-German-French co-production was broadcast for the first time in Italy from 19 December 1971, on Sundays, at 9:00 PM and in Germany from 5 November 1972. In colour. *''

Le avventure di Pinocchio ''The Adventures of Pinocchio'' ( ; it, Le avventure di Pinocchio ; commonly shortened to ''Pinocchio'') is a children's fantasy novel by Italian author Carlo Collodi. It is about the mischievous adventures of an animated marionette named Pi ...

'', five one hour episodes of a screenplay of Collodi's children novel '' The Adventures of Pinocchio'', directed by Luigi Comencini and starring Nino Manfredi (Geppetto), Gina Lollobrigida ( the Fairy with Turquoise Hair),

Franco Franchi Franco Franchi (born Francesco Benenato; 18 September 1928 – 9 December 1992) was an Italian actor, comedian and singer. He was born in Palermo, Sicily and began his career in the 1950s, although his career only really took off in the 1960s. ...

(the Cat),

Ciccio Ingrassia Francesco Ingrassia (5 October 1922 – 28 April 2003) was an Italian actor, comedian and film director. He was born in Palermo, Sicily, and began his career in the 1950s, although his career only really took off in the 1960s. He starred in m ...

(the Fox), Vittorio De Sica (the Judge) and child actor Andrea Balestri in the main role of Pinocchio. This very successful French-German-Italian coproduction aired for the first time in Italy on Saturday night from 8 April 1972, at 9:00 PM. The French version is about 40 minutes longer and is divided into 6 episodes. In colour. *''Fatti e fattacci'', variety show, hosted by Gigi Proietti and

Ornella Vanoni Ornella Vanoni (; born 22 September 1934) is an Italian singer-songwriter and actress. She is one of the longest-standing Italian artists, having started performing in 1956. She has released about 112 works between LP, EPs and greatest hits alb ...

, direct by

Antonello Falqui Antonello da Messina, properly Antonello di Giovanni di Antonio, but also called Antonello degli Antoni and Anglicized as Anthony of Messina ( 1430February 1479), was an Italian painter from Messina, active during the Early Italian Renaissance. ...

(four episodes, from 15 February 1975, Saturday night at 8:40 PM). In colour. *''Dov'è Anna'', drama/'' giallo''

miniseries A miniseries or mini-series is a television series that tells a story in a predetermined, limited number of episodes. "Limited series" is another more recent US term which is sometimes used interchangeably. , the popularity of miniseries format h ...

in seven episodes, starring Scilla Gabel and Mariano Rigillo, broadcast on Tuesday, from 13 January 1976, at 8:45 PM. *''Albert e l'Uomo Nero'' (the title, roughly translated, means ''Albert and the Bogeyman''), drama/''giallo''

in three episodes, starring Nando Gazzolo, Franco Graziosi and then kid Claudio Cinquepalmi in the title role of Albert. Avant-garde soundtrack by

Franco Micalizzi Franco Micalizzi (born 21 December 1939 in Rome) is an Italian composer and conductor, best known for his scores in Poliziotteschi films. His first success was for the musical score of the Spaghetti Western ''They Call Me Trinity'', in 1970. He ha ...

. It was perhaps the last successful Italian black and white drama series, aired on 21 March (Sunday), 23 March (Tuesday) and 28 March (Sunday) nights at 8:45 PM.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13fa7j13124 A scene from the first episode *''Bontà loro'', one-hour-long late night talk show hosted by Maurizio Costanzo, is considered by some critics to be the first modern talk show in Italian television (two seasons, from 18 October 1976, Monday night, 10:45 PM). In colour from 1977. *''Non Stop'', one-hour-long comedy consisting of a collage of sketches performed by young and (then) unknown comedians – among these future theatrical actor and director Carlo Verdone and actors

Massimo Troisi Massimo Troisi (; 19 February 1953 – 4 June 1994) was an Italian actor, cabaret performer, screenwriter, and film director. He is best known for his works in the films '' I'm Starting from Three'' (1981) and '' Il Postino: The Postman'' (1994) ...

and Lello Arena. Broadcast for two seasons (1977-8 and 1978-9), on Thursday night, at 8:40 PM.

References

External links

Official Website
{{Authority control Italian-language television stations Television channels and stations established in 1954 1954 establishments in Italy 1