NOVE – Comedy Match S2 – 498k / 2.8%
The second season of Comedy Match premiered on NOVE, hosted by Katia Follesa. This lively format features two teams of comedians competing in a series of humorous challenges, sketches, and improvisational games, all designed to entertain and amuse. With Katia Follesa leading the show with her signature wit and charm, the series blends stand-up, satire, and quick-fire banter in a comedic showdown where laughter is the grand prize. Produced by Banijay Italia.
May 5
May 5
Rai 1 – Gerri (Detective Drama Series) – 3.445M / 20.9%
Gerri is a 2025 Italian crime drama based on Giorgia Lepore’s novels. It follows Gregorio “Gerri” Esposito, a 35-year-old police inspector of Romani origin working in Trani, Puglia. Marked by a difficult childhood in foster care, Gerri is a compassionate investigator with an instinctive approach. The series opens with the murder of Rossella Albani, daughter of a prominent lawyer, and reveals hidden connections to an old unsolved case involving a Romani woman. Directed by Giuseppe Bonito, produced by Cattleya with Rai Fiction, the series consists of four 120-minute episodes. Giulio Beranek stars as Gerri, alongside Valentina Romani as Vice Inspector Lea Coen.
Rai 2 – Audiscion (Comedy Talent Show) – 594k / 3.6%
Rai 2 – Audiscion (Comedy Talent Show) – 594k / 3.6%
Audiscion offers a new spin on the talent show format, featuring rising comedic stars performing monologues, sketches, and character-driven acts. Hosted by Gigi & Ross and Elisabetta Gregoraci, the show mixes fresh talent with guest appearances from established names in Italian comedy.
May 7
May 7
Rai 1 – David di Donatello Awards 2025 – 1.451M / 13%
The 70th David di Donatello Awards took place at Cinecittà Studios, Rome. Hosted by Elena Sofia Ricci and Mika, the event honored the best in Italian cinema:
* Best Film: Il tempo che ci vuole – Francesca Comencini
* Best Director: Maura Delpero – Vermiglio
* Best Actress: Tecla Insolia – L'arte della gioia
* Best Supporting Actress: Valeria Bruni Tedeschi – L'arte della gioia
* Best Original Screenplay: Maura Delpero – Vermiglio
* Best Adapted Screenplay: Valeria Golino and team – L'arte della gioia
* Best Debut: Margherita Vicario – Gloria!
* Lifetime Achievement: Pupi Avati
Canale 5 – L’Isola dei Famosi S19 – 2.039M / 18.9%
* Best Film: Il tempo che ci vuole – Francesca Comencini
* Best Director: Maura Delpero – Vermiglio
* Best Actress: Tecla Insolia – L'arte della gioia
* Best Supporting Actress: Valeria Bruni Tedeschi – L'arte della gioia
* Best Original Screenplay: Maura Delpero – Vermiglio
* Best Adapted Screenplay: Valeria Golino and team – L'arte della gioia
* Best Debut: Margherita Vicario – Gloria!
* Lifetime Achievement: Pupi Avati
Canale 5 – L’Isola dei Famosi S19 – 2.039M / 18.9%
The 19th season of the celebrity survival show premiered, hosted by Veronica Gentili, with Simona Ventura as studio commentator and Pierpaolo Pretelli reporting from Honduras. Produced by Banijay Italia.
May 9
May 9
Rai 1 – Sognando Ballando con le Stelle – 2.407M / 16.7%
This talent spin-off of Dancing with the Stars gives aspiring professional dancers the chance to earn a role on the main show. Contestants perform ballroom, Latin, and Caribbean dances, judged by the same panel as DWTS. Hosted by Milly Carlucci, the show also celebrates 20 years of the franchise. Produced by Ballad.
May 13, 15, 17
May 13, 15, 17
Eurovision Song Contest 2025
Italy followed the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest live from Basel:
* May 13 – Semifinal 1 (Rai 2): 2.25M / 12.2%
* May 15 – Semifinal 2 (Rai 2): 1.62M / 8.8%
* May 17 – Final (Rai 1): 4.76M / 33.9%
May 19
* May 13 – Semifinal 1 (Rai 2): 2.25M / 12.2%
* May 15 – Semifinal 2 (Rai 2): 1.62M / 8.8%
* May 17 – Final (Rai 1): 4.76M / 33.9%
May 19
Canale 5 – Tutti per Uno: Viaggio nel Tempo – 2.683M / 21.4%
A three-part music event featuring Il Volo at Palazzo Te, Mantua. Blending eras of music history, the show includes solo and group performances, collaborations with guest artists, and thematic storytelling. Produced by Friends TV, the episodes air on May 19, 26, and June 2.
May 20
May 20
Rai 1 – Doc (US Medical Drama) – 2.608M / 14.7%
Doc is the U.S. adaptation of the Italian hit Doc – Nelle tue mani. Molly Parker stars as Dr. Amy Elias, who returns to her hospital role after losing 12 years of memory. The show explores identity, memory, and resilience. Produced by Fox Entertainment Studios, Sony Pictures Television, and 3 Arts Entertainment.
May 21
May 21
Netflix – Maschi Veri (Italian Comedy Series)
Produced by Groenlandia, a Banijay company, the series is an adaptation of the Spanish series Machos Alfa (Alpha Males). The eight-episode series follows four longtime friends—Mattia, Luigi, Massimo, and Riccardo—as they navigate personal and professional challenges in a modern society that questions traditional notions of masculinity. Set in Rome, the narrative delves into each character's journey: Mattia, a tour guide, grapples with single parenthood and reenters the dating scene; Luigi faces marital issues as his wife seeks fulfillment elsewhere; Massimo, a television executive, confronts unemployment due to his outdated views; and Riccardo deals with the complexities of an open relationship. Through humor and introspection, the series explores themes of gender equality, personal growth, and the redefinition of male identity in contemporary times.
The main cast includes Maurizio Lastrico as Mattia, Matteo Martari as Massimo, Francesco Montanari as Riccardo, and Pietro Sermonti as Luigi. The series is directed by Letizia Lamartire and Matteo Oleotto, with writing by Furio Andreotti, Giulia Calenda, and Ugo Ripamonti.
Produced by Groenlandia, a Banijay company, the series is an adaptation of the Spanish series Machos Alfa (Alpha Males). The eight-episode series follows four longtime friends—Mattia, Luigi, Massimo, and Riccardo—as they navigate personal and professional challenges in a modern society that questions traditional notions of masculinity. Set in Rome, the narrative delves into each character's journey: Mattia, a tour guide, grapples with single parenthood and reenters the dating scene; Luigi faces marital issues as his wife seeks fulfillment elsewhere; Massimo, a television executive, confronts unemployment due to his outdated views; and Riccardo deals with the complexities of an open relationship. Through humor and introspection, the series explores themes of gender equality, personal growth, and the redefinition of male identity in contemporary times.
The main cast includes Maurizio Lastrico as Mattia, Matteo Martari as Massimo, Francesco Montanari as Riccardo, and Pietro Sermonti as Luigi. The series is directed by Letizia Lamartire and Matteo Oleotto, with writing by Furio Andreotti, Giulia Calenda, and Ugo Ripamonti.
May 22
Canale 5 – Avanti un Altro! (Game Show) – 2.181M / 13.6%
The hit game show returned to prime time, hosted by Paolo Bonolis with Luca Laurenti. The show retains its comedic and unpredictable format, produced by Endemol Shine Italy.
May 25
The hit game show returned to prime time, hosted by Paolo Bonolis with Luca Laurenti. The show retains its comedic and unpredictable format, produced by Endemol Shine Italy.
May 25
Canale 5 – La Notte nel Cuore (Turkish Drama) – 1.904M / 12.6%
La notte nel cuore (original title: Siyah Kalp) is a Turkish drama series that premiered on Canale 5 on May 25, 2025. The story follows Sumru Sansalan, a young woman who abandons her newborn twins, Nuh and Melek, leaving them with their paternal grandmother. Years later, Sumru has rebuilt her life in Cappadocia, married to the wealthy businessman Samet Sansalan, with whom she has additional children. As adults, Nuh and Melek seek out their biological mother, uncovering hidden family secrets and navigating complex relationships within their mother's new family. The series delves into themes of abandonment, identity, and the enduring bonds of family. Produced by Tims&B Production.
Italia 1 – Sarabanda Celebrity (Music Game Show) – 1.264M / 8.3%
La notte nel cuore (original title: Siyah Kalp) is a Turkish drama series that premiered on Canale 5 on May 25, 2025. The story follows Sumru Sansalan, a young woman who abandons her newborn twins, Nuh and Melek, leaving them with their paternal grandmother. Years later, Sumru has rebuilt her life in Cappadocia, married to the wealthy businessman Samet Sansalan, with whom she has additional children. As adults, Nuh and Melek seek out their biological mother, uncovering hidden family secrets and navigating complex relationships within their mother's new family. The series delves into themes of abandonment, identity, and the enduring bonds of family. Produced by Tims&B Production.
Italia 1 – Sarabanda Celebrity (Music Game Show) – 1.264M / 8.3%
A celebrity edition of the classic game show Sarabanda, hosted by Enrico Papi. Celebrities compete in music quizzes and challenges. Guests include Sabrina Salerno, Anna Tatangelo, and Orietta Berti. Produced by RTI and Banijay Italia.
May 27
May 27
Canale 5 – Doppio Gioco (Thriller Series) – 2.269M / 13.2%
Doppio Gioco is a new Italian thriller series premiering on Canale 5 on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Starring Alessandra Mastronardi as Daria Giraldi, a 35-year-old woman with a troubled past marked by gambling addiction, the series delves into themes of espionage, psychological intrigue, and personal redemption.
Daria possesses an extraordinary ability to "read" people, a skill honed from a young age through poker games with her enigmatic father, Pietro (played by Max Tortora). After serving time in a rehabilitation community due to her gambling-related offenses, she is approached by the Italian Secret Services for a covert mission. Her task: to infiltrate the world of Gemini, a high-stakes gambler and international criminal whose identity may be intimately connected to her own past. As Daria delves deeper into the operation, she grapples with the possibility that Gemini might be her father, long presumed dead. This revelation forces her to confront buried memories and question the truths of her upbringing. The series intricately weaves Daria's internal struggles with the external dangers of espionage, creating a narrative rich in suspense and emotional depth.
Directed by Andrea Molaioli, known for his work on "La ragazza del lago," the series features a compelling cast, including Simone Liberati as Major Ettore Napoli, the officer overseeing Daria's mission, and Domenico Diele as Davide Giraldi, Daria's estranged brother. Set against the backdrop of Rome and the Castelli Romani, "Doppio Gioco" promises a gripping exploration of dual identities, familial bonds, and the blurred lines between truth and deception. 4 episodes produced by RTI and Fabula Pictures.
Doppio Gioco is a new Italian thriller series premiering on Canale 5 on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Starring Alessandra Mastronardi as Daria Giraldi, a 35-year-old woman with a troubled past marked by gambling addiction, the series delves into themes of espionage, psychological intrigue, and personal redemption.
Daria possesses an extraordinary ability to "read" people, a skill honed from a young age through poker games with her enigmatic father, Pietro (played by Max Tortora). After serving time in a rehabilitation community due to her gambling-related offenses, she is approached by the Italian Secret Services for a covert mission. Her task: to infiltrate the world of Gemini, a high-stakes gambler and international criminal whose identity may be intimately connected to her own past. As Daria delves deeper into the operation, she grapples with the possibility that Gemini might be her father, long presumed dead. This revelation forces her to confront buried memories and question the truths of her upbringing. The series intricately weaves Daria's internal struggles with the external dangers of espionage, creating a narrative rich in suspense and emotional depth.
Directed by Andrea Molaioli, known for his work on "La ragazza del lago," the series features a compelling cast, including Simone Liberati as Major Ettore Napoli, the officer overseeing Daria's mission, and Domenico Diele as Davide Giraldi, Daria's estranged brother. Set against the backdrop of Rome and the Castelli Romani, "Doppio Gioco" promises a gripping exploration of dual identities, familial bonds, and the blurred lines between truth and deception. 4 episodes produced by RTI and Fabula Pictures.
