In a move to protect the current 41% audience share, the Italian public broadcaster RAI has laid out its digital plans in a report entitled Piano offerta tv 2010-2012 which calls for three new channels.
The first of the three new channels, Rai5/Movie, will broadcast films and TV series produced by Rai, as well as acquired material. Rai6/Extra will concentrate on documentaries, news, culture, magazine programmes, as well as entertainment. Finally, RaiSport2 will complement RaiSport. With the three additions, the total number of digital channels will raise to 13.
The current experimental RAI HD channel will become permanent with “a selection of programmes, sporting events, movies, dramas and documentaries.”
The plan also calls for a strengthening of the main three channels (RAI Uno, RAI Due and RAI Tre), as well as RAI 4 and RAI Storia (History).
All channels are to be distributed on the national digital terrestrial network, as well as on the free-to-view TiVuSat DTH platform.
About Robert Briel
"In an industry that experiences rapid change and often a confusing subsequent
constant supply of news, it is often refreshing to read an insightful perspective. Broadband
TV News and its editorial team regularly provide a context and
helpful analysis to breaking news.”
Broadband TV News is the must-read publication for those working in the Business of the Multiscreen Television. We deliver news, insight and data direct to your desktop. As well as our constantly updated website you can sign-up to our Daily and Weekly email bulletins. 
Connected TV Forecasts NEW REPORT. The number of TV sets connected to the Internet will reach 551 million by 2016 for the 40 countries covered in this report from Digital TV Research, up from 124 million at end-2010. The report states that this translates to 20% of global TV sets by 2016, up from only 6% at end-2010. Published in November 2011, this 83-page PDF report is the most geographically comprehensive to ever be published.