RAI Italian language programming to cease all broadcasts in the US

[NYC viewer]

RAI, the government operated broadcast networks in Italy, has announced the closing of the New York office and the elimination of the 66 staffers in that office.  Economic conditions in Italy are forcing drastic budget cuts.

There will no longer be a New York based correspondent for their network newscasts in Italy, but more importantly on a local level, there will be no more Italian language RAI programming broadcast here in the states.  RAI a few months ago eliminated 17 hours of weekly programming on WMBC in northern NJ and will eliminate 9 hours per week from WNYE in New York City as of tomorrow night.  Other stations in the Americas will feel the effects shortly, if not already.  Many are stunned, wondering why the commercial-free RAI does not turn to selling advertising time to raise funding, rather than just giving up and shutting down.  Many viewers, who speak little or no English, may not even be aware that the newscast of Thursday, 4/12 will be the last on channel 25.  The station will replace it with a business news program from PBS.

It is also speculated that RAI International, a 24/7 cable network, may also face the budget ax. 

Further details:  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/31/nyregion/in-new-york-city-feeling-pain-of-italys-belt-tightening.html?pagewanted=all

[Mark]

Mama Celeste, she will be so unhappy

[ansky212]

So what has WMBC been filling their schedule with now that RAI is gone?

[NYC viewer]

So what has WMBC been filling their schedule with now that RAI is gone?

WMBC has filled the time with other paid programming -- but nothing entertaining nor informative.  The usual program length ads for household and personal care products. 

As for WNYE, they are scheduled to start airing the Nightly Business Report at the very same time it airs on WNET.  The bulk of the time on Sunday will be filled with more airings of their local New York themed programming such as $9.99, etc.

RAI's competitor, Mediaset, has just started an international channel that has been picked up by cable systems.  I am wondering if they will make any effort to gain viewers by offering any programs, particularly a nightly newscast, over any broadcast stations.  Mediaset is advertiser supported as opposed to government owned RAI which collects a TV tax in Italy.

[ding12]

What about RAI offered by Dish Network ($9.99/mo to subscribers)? Would Dish be losing it?

[NYC viewer]

What about RAI offered by Dish Network ($9.99/mo to subscribers)? Would Dish be losing it?

It is possible.  From what I heard it is still something that may face cost reductions as there are no advertisements on RAI's channels.

Mediaset just started their own version of such a channel, with advertising.

[NYC viewer]

What about RAI offered by Dish Network ($9.99/mo to subscribers)? Would Dish be losing it?

Just wondering if anyone has an idea of how much of those fees go to the broadcaster?  In the NY area, RAI and its competitor Mediaset are about $10 each or both for $15.

I did find out that Mediaset does plan to expand its reach, but not by over the air broadcasting.  They plan to make their 24/7 signal available via the internet.  No idea what they will charge for it yet. 

Both RAI and Mediaset, along with many of their smaller competitors make their news programs available via their websites at no cost.

[blackgold]

RAI does have advertising on its 3 TV channels in Italy.

[NYC viewer]

RAI does have advertising on its 3 TV channels in Italy.

True, however it is not similar to what we see on our national networks  here. 

Also, When I stated that RAI had no advertisements, I was referring to their channels here.  The programming over WNYC and more recently, WNYE had no interruptions.  For any type of sponsor message I recall seeing, it was always after the conclusion of the show. 

I am not familiar with their cable network which is still available here and other countries outside of Italy, but from what I gather, their support is still subject to further cutbacks and thus most likely not from advertising, or at least not advertising alone.  I have never watched their programming, so I am not totally certain about that.

Since the broadcast programming went off the air, I have seen letters to the editor of various Italian language newspapers regarding how RAI has treated expatriots who were loyally paying the "canone" or the TV tax while they lived in Italy and how they feel abandoned by RAI Corp at this time.

[1069_KIFR]

What will Bill Hader and the writers of SNL do now?