Definition
Mediaset Premium was a subscription‑based, multi‑channel pay television service operating in Italy, offering a mix of encrypted digital terrestrial, satellite, and internet video‑on‑demand (VOD) content. It was owned and operated by Mediaset, a leading Italian media conglomerate.
Overview
The service was launched in 2008 as “Premium Gallery” and later rebranded to “Mediaset Premium.” It provided a package of thematic and premium channels—including movies, series, sports, and adult content—as well as pay‑per‑view events such as boxing and major sporting competitions. Subscribers accessed the service primarily through a set‑top box (the “Mediabox”) linked to a smart card for conditional access. In addition to linear channels, Mediaset Premium offered an on‑demand library and, for a period, a streaming platform accessible via web browsers and mobile applications.
Mediaset Premium operated in a competitive Italian market alongside other pay‑TV platforms such as Sky Italia and, later, streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. The platform experienced growth in subscriber numbers during its early years but faced declining viewership as consumer preferences shifted toward over‑the‑top (OTT) streaming services. In 2020, Mediaset announced a strategic restructuring of its pay‑TV business, and by 2022 the service ceased operations, with the remaining assets and contracts transferred to other Mediaset digital initiatives.
Etymology/Origin
The name combines “Mediaset,” the parent company's brand, with the English word “Premium,” indicating a higher‑level, fee‑based offering of content beyond the free‑to‑air (FTA) programming supplied by Mediaset’s terrestrial channels. The term follows a common industry practice of using “premium” to denote subscription or pay‑per‑view services that provide exclusive or ad‑free content.
Characteristics
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Ownership | Mediaset S.p.A., part of the Mediaset Group, a major Italian broadcast and media company. |
| Launch Date | 2008 (originally as “Premium Gallery”). |
| Distribution Platforms | Digital terrestrial television (DTT) via encrypted multiplexes, satellite (through partner platforms), and internet streaming via Mediaset Premium’s website and apps. |
| Access Technology | Conditional access system employing smart cards and set‑top boxes (Mediabox). |
| Channel Line‑up | Included thematic channels such as Mediaset Premium Cinema, Mediaset Premium Serie, Mediaset Premium Sport, plus adult channels under the “Premium Adult” brand and occasional pay‑per‑view events. |
| On‑Demand Services | VOD library offering movies, series, and exclusive productions; later integrated with Mediaset’s streaming platform “Infinity.” |
| Pricing Model | Monthly subscription tiers based on the number of channels and inclusion of VOD; additional PPV (pay‑per‑view) charges for special events. |
| Regulatory Status | Operated under Italian communications regulations governing pay‑TV and conditional access services; required licensing from the Autorità per le Garanzie nelle Comunicazioni (AGCOM). |
| Termination | Services discontinued in 2022; subscriber base migrated to Mediaset’s other digital offerings. |
Related Topics
- Mediaset – The parent broadcasting group, owner of channels such as Canale 5, Italia 1, and Rete 4.
- Pay Television – Subscription‑based television services that provide encrypted content for a fee.
- Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) in Italy – The framework through which many free‑to‑air and pay‑TV channels are broadcast.
- Sky Italia – Primary competitor in the Italian pay‑TV market offering satellite and streaming services.
- Streaming Services in Italy – Including platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Mediaset’s own “Infinity,” which have impacted traditional pay‑TV models.
- Conditional Access System (CAS) – Technology used to encrypt broadcast signals and control subscriber access.
This entry reflects information verified up to 2022; any developments regarding Mediaset Premium after that date are not documented here.