18 Italian TV Channels: Watch Italian TV
Italian TV Channels || Where to Watch Italian Programs
Watching TV is one of the best and most enjoyable ways to improve your language skills of listening and pronunciation, but also to gain a deeper understanding of contemporary Italian culture.
Movies and TV series on Netflix are certainly another great resource, but with TV programs you can have, perhaps, a more “immediate” and less filtered view of today’s Italy.
We will discuss some of the main Italian TV channels, their most popular programs, and how to watch them.
Italian TV Channels || Where to Watch Italian Programs
Italian TV Channels || Rai Channels
Italian TV Channels || Mediaset Channels
Italian TV Channels || Other Channels
Italian TV Channels || FAQs
Italian TV Channels || Where to Watch Italian Programs
Each channel we will discuss in this article will be accompanied by a link to the streaming platform where to watch it.
Unfortunately, these streaming platforms only work if you are in Italy.
If you are abroad, the easiest method is to download a VPN network and access the streaming sites after setting an Italian IP address.
All the channels and programs in this article are available for free (with an Italian IP). You can find many other programs on other platforms that require a subscription, such as NOW TV and Discovery+.
Italian TV Channels || Rai Channels
Rai, or Radiotelevisione Italiana, is Italy’s public broadcasting service. Founded in 1954, it is a company that operates television channels and radio stations in Italy.
Its mission is to provide television and radio programs of various kinds, such as news, cultural programs, entertainment, and sports, for the Italian public.
Rai is financed mainly through the canone Rai, which is a tax paid by users who own a television set.
WHERE TO WATCH: All the Rai channels are available for live streaming on Raiplay, a platform where you can also watch many on-demand programs, as well as films and tv series.
Let’s now have a closer look at the main channels and their best programs:
Rai 1 is Italy’s number one channel in terms of ratings and has a variety of different shows designed for families.
The most famous news program is TG1. Other popular programs are the political talk show Porta a Porta and La Vita in Diretta, a program providing in-depth coverage of the latest news.
A very well-known and interesting program was Superquark, a popular science program that was unfortunately discontinued due to the death of historic host Piero Angela.
Today, his son Alberto Angela continues the activity with the programs Ulisse – il piacere della scoperta, dedicated to history, art, and culture, and Noos – L’avventura della conoscenza, dedicated to the world of science.
Rai 1 also broadcasts evening shows such as Tale e quale show, where contestants imitate famous people, Ballando con le stelle (dancing with the stars) and Il cantante mascherato (the masked singer).
Rai 1 is also known for its game shows, such as L’Eredità, Reazione a catena and Affari tuoi.
Rai 1 also broadcasts Il Festival di Sanremo, the most important Italian music festival.
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Some of the main programs broadcast by Rai 2 are:
- The news program TG2
- Il collegio, a program that is very popular among the young generation, in which high school kids are sent to a 1960s-style school
- Stasera tutto è possibile, a show where a group of celebrities from the world of entertainment or sports must face different challenges
- The morning show I fatti vostri
Rai 2 also broadcasts sports events and the music event TIM Summer Hits.
It’s the 3rd Rai channel. Rai 3‘s most famous programs are:
- Un giorno in pretura
- Chi l’ha visto?, which tells the stories of missing people, and helps to find them
- Mi manda Raitre
- Report
- Blob, known for collecting and editing clips from various sources and providing a satirical look at contemporary culture.
Rai 1 also broadcasts Premio Strega, the most prestigious Italian literary award.
As the name implies, Rai movie only broadcasts movies, both Italian and foreign but dubbed in Italian. You will see both old and modern movies.
Rai Sport broadcasts all sorts of sports events and interviews.
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Rai Gulp‘s programs are dedicated to a young audience in the 8-14 age group and include cartoons and TV series.
Rai Yoyo‘s programs are dedicated to children in the 4-7 age group and include cartoons, TV series, and also original shows such as:
Kids shows can be a good way for beginners to learn Italian!
Rai Storia‘s schedule consists mainly of programs and documentaries concerning history, philosophy, literature, and art.
Rai Scuola is a channel designed to serve as support for students, broadcasting documentaries and educational programs on various subjects (history, science, geography, etc.).
Rai News 24 is an Italian news television channel published by Rai. Launched in 1999, it was the first Italian national news channel to broadcast live 24 hours a day.
Italian TV Channels || Mediaset Channels
Mediaset is an Italian media and entertainment company founded by Silvio Berlusconi.
Some of Mediaset’s main television channels include Canale 5, Italia 1, Rete 4, and focus on different types of programs, including drama, entertainment, news, and sports.
Canale 5 is often associated with entertainment and drama programs, Italia 1 focuses on movies, TV series, and sports, while Rete 4 mainly broadcasts news and investigative programs.
WHERE TO WATCH: All the Mediaset channels are available for live streaming on Mediaset Infinity, a platform where you can also watch many on-demand programs, as well as films and TV series.
Let’s now have a closer look at Mediaset channels and their best programs:
This channel is mainly oriented to an adult audience. It mainly broadcasts movies, TV shows, news, entertainment, and sports.
Rete 4‘s most followed programs include the news program:
- TG4
- Quarto grado, a crime-themed talk show focusing on current and recent years’ Italian crime cases
- Dritto e rovescio, a political talk show
- Fuori dal coro, another political talk show
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Canale 5, one of the most popular channels, offers many successful programs, including C’è posta per te, hosted by Maria De Filippi, a show in which contestants send messages to friends or family members with whom they have not spoken in a long time; Amici di Maria De Filippi, a talent show for singers and dancers; Zelig, a comedy program, featuring stand-up comedy performances and Tú sí que vales, another talent show.
But that’s just the beginning, here you can also find:
- Grande Fratello, the famous reality show in which contestants live locked in a house, constantly monitored by cameras
- Ciao Darwin, an entertainment program with challenges between teams representing different categories of society
- Temptation Island, a reality show in which young couples are separated and have to live with singles
- Forum, a program where trials are enacted by actors
- Striscia la notizia, a satirical program commenting on current events, and Uomini e donne, a dating program
- Another fun program, which isn’t currently being broadcast, is Scherzi a parte, where Italian celebrities are pranked.
There are also game shows, such as Avanti un altro!, where contestants are subjected to general culture questions and fun challenges, and Caduta libera.
Finally, there is Pomeriggio Cinque, an afternoon talk show that covers current affairs, breaking news, and interviews.
This channel’s most famous programs are the news program Studio aperto and Le iene, one of the most watched investigative programs: it presents investigations, news and current affairs reports, pranks, and interviews, with an irreverent and satirical style.
Many international TV series, cartoons, films and some sports events are also broadcast on this channel.
Iris broadcasts both Italian and international films (dubbed in Italian), mainly dramas and thrillers.
Italian TV Channels || Other Channels
There are many other Italian channels that you can watch! Here are three of our favourites:
Nove broadcasts many entertainment programs produced abroad and dubbed into Italian, as well as exclusive programs and game shows.
WHERE TO WATCH: you can watch Nove on the official website, where you’ll find both live streaming and some on-demand programs.
One of the best original programs is Che tempo che fa, which was one of the most popular Rai 1 shows and was recently moved to Nove.
It’s a late-night show with both Italian and international guests. The host, Fabio Fazio, engages in friendly conversations rather than formal interviews.
Another popular program is the satirical/stand-up comedy show Fratelli di Crozza.
There are also some original game shows:
Another original program is Alta infedeltà: in each episode, some actors reconstruct several love stories that resulted in infidelity.
Each story is told from the point of view of the cheater, the person who got cheated on, and the other woman/man.
It’s not available on-demand, but you can watch it in live streaming. The on-demand version is available on Discovery+.
Real Time has produced several original programs in Italy and many Italian editions of foreign formats. In addition to these, Realtime broadcasts several programs from foreign television networks, dubbed in Italian.
WHERE TO WATCH: you can watch Realtime on the official website. You’ll find both live streaming and some on-demand programs. Unfortunately, not all programs are available on-demand on this website. If you want to watch them, you’ll need a subscription to Discovery+.
The best original programs include:
- Cortesie per gli ospiti, in which two couples compete by each offering lunch or dinner to the three judges and the rival couple
- The cooking show Bake off Italia (not available on-demand)
- Diario di un Wedding Planner, with the Italian wedding planner Enzo Miccio
- Il boss delle cerimonie, where you will get to know Neapolitan over-the-top celebrations
- Primo appuntamento, where participants go on a blind date
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DMAX‘s schedule consists of factual programs dealing with: motors, disasters, nature, crime, lifestyle, and sports.
WHERE TO WATCH: you can watch DMAX on the official website. You’ll find both live streaming and some on-demand programs.
Most of the programs are foreign and dubbed in Italian, but there are also some original productions, such as Border control Italia.
TV8 is a channel that offers a variety of programs, including entertainment, dramas, movies, and live broadcasts. TV8’s schedule features a combination of original productions and acquired content.
WHERE TO WATCH: you can watch TV8 on the official website. You’ll find both live streaming and some on-demand programs.
Among TV8’s best programs there are entertainment programs such as:
- 4 hotel, where chef Bruno Barbieri in each episode decides which is the best hotel by price, location, service, etc.
- Cucine da incubo, the Italian version of Hell’s kitchen, with the chef Antonino Canavacciuolo
- Episodes of 4 ristoranti are also broadcast, but they’re not available on-demand.
There are also game shows, such as 100% Italia, a game where two pairs of contestants compete by answering questions about surveys that were answered by a panel of one hundred Italians.
The Oscars and the Golden Globes are also broadcast on this channel.
Italian TV Channels || FAQs
How can I watch Italian TV channels online?
The article provides links to streaming platforms for Rai and Mediaset channels, as well as other channels. However, a VPN with an Italian IP address is required for viewers abroad.
Where can I watch Il Festival di Sanremo?
Sanremo’s music festival is broadcast on Rai 1 and available on-demand on Raiplay.
Which channels are dedicated solely to broadcasting movies?
Rai Movie and Iris.
Which are the most popular channels in Italy?
Rai’s Rai 1 and Mediaset’s Canale 5.
What are some Mediaset channels, and where can I watch them online?
Mediaset channels include Canale 5, Italia 1, Rete 4. You can watch them on Mediaset Infinity, the streaming platform mentioned in the article. If you’re not in Italy, you’ll need a VPN.
Can you recommend some Italian game shows?
Rai 1 broadcasts popular game shows like L’Eredità, Reazione a catena, and Affari tuoi, offering entertainment and engagement. Other game shows are Canale 5’s Caduta libera and TV8 100% Italia. Learn more about Italian game shows in our article.
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