MIPTV 2014 – CANNES. Italian pubic broadcaster RAI is creating a new subsidiary that will comprise the Trade Department of RAI, RAI Net’s commercial activities and the digital sell-thru of RAI Cinema.
The new company will be operational within the next three months. At the helm of the new structure, Luigi De Siervo, the current director of RAI’s Trade Department, will serve as CEO.
In a statement the broadcaster said “The new entity – whose name is under consideration – will be able to rely on an agile and dynamic structure. In addition to all areas covered by RAI Trade so far – exclusive distribution for Italy and foreign rights of all RAI productions (TV and Cinema), marketing of sports rights to foreign countries, licensing, music publishing, production and marketing of thematic channels for pay-TV, agreements with government agencies for the distributions of dedicated communication plans – it will also manage digital distribution in Italy and abroad for the products of 01 distribution.”
“For RAI, this is a return back to the future. In line with the most important broadcasters worldwide, RAI has decided to meet the challenges of the market with a sales company that can ensure flexibility and the correct time to market,” commented Luigi De Siervo, director of RAI’s Trade Department.