Rai Premium is an Italian free‑to‑air television channel owned and operated by Radiotelevisione Italiana (RAI), the state broadcaster of Italy. The channel’s programming primarily consists of classic and contemporary films, television series, and documentaries, with an emphasis on content from earlier decades of Italian and international cinema.
History
- Rai Premium traces its origins to the satellite channel RaiSat Premium, which began broadcasting in the late 1990s.
- The channel was rebranded as Rai Premium in 2003, aligning it with RAI’s portfolio of terrestrial channels.
Ownership and Management
- Owner: Radiotelevisione Italiana (RAI), a public service broadcaster funded by a combination of licence fees and advertising revenue.
- Operated under RAI’s “Rai Channels” division, which oversees the network’s thematic digital channels.
Programming
- Focuses on the exhibition of classic Italian and foreign films, television series from the 1970s–1990s, and curated documentary series.
- Occasionally airs special retrospectives, film festivals, and thematic marathons.
Distribution
- Available on Italy’s digital terrestrial television (DTT) network, occupying a dedicated multiplex slot.
- Also broadcast via satellite (e.g., on the Hotbird and Eutelsat satellites) and can be accessed through various online streaming platforms that carry RAI’s channel lineup.
Audience and Positioning
- Marketed as a “premium” channel for viewers seeking a catalogue of heritage and high‑quality audiovisual content, complementing RAI’s other thematic channels such as Rai Movie, Rai Storia, and Rai 4.
Related Channels
- Rai Movie – a channel dedicated to recent and contemporary cinema.
- Rai Storia – focuses on historical documentaries and series.
Note: Specific launch dates, viewership statistics, and detailed programming schedules are subject to change and may not be publicly disclosed in detail.
