Italian state broadcaster RAI will be launching a 24/7 international English language channel.
The new channel will broadcast news, documentaries as wel as sports, and will give the world a view on life in Italy.
The launch of RAI English is the result of the new agreement between the broadcaster and the state, which will come into effect in January 2018 and will run for five years.
The new contract also provides support for independent programme makers. In 2018 RAI has to spend at least EUR2 million with independent producer, raiding to EUR3 million in 2019.
The new agreement also stipulates that RAI has to offer all of its channels to all distribution platforms. At the moment, Sky Italia does not carry the full range of RAI channels. However, RAI can demand a “fair and non-discriminatory” fee from the distributor.
