Format

Following the strong performance of Wheel of Fortune, which premiered on July 14 on Canale 5 with Gerry Scotti and won the access prime time slot with over 3.6 million viewers and a 21.9% share, Mediaset continues to refresh its summer schedule. From Monday, July 21, the network relaunches another iconic title: Sarabanda, airing at 6:45 PM in the early evening slot, once again hosted by Enrico Papi.

Produced by Banijay Italia, Sarabanda returns in a completely renovated studio, colorful and vibrant, ready to reignite the playful spirit and musical passion that made it a cult show in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Each episode will feature five non-celebrity contestants competing in a series of music-based challenges that test memory and speed. The show revives some of its most popular games:
Playlist, where players guess the title of a song faster than their rivals; Pentagramma, centered on famous lyrics from Italian music;Asta Musicale, for risk-takers willing to bet on just one note and a riddle to guess the track; and of course, the iconic 7x30, where contestants have 30 seconds to recognize seven songs without hesitation.

For Papi, this is both a comeback and a new challenge, as Sarabanda enters the competitive preserale slot, directly facing Rai 1's Reazione a Catena. Speaking to ANSA, Papi said: "Music takes us on a journey through our memories, and the strength of Sarabanda lies in this connection, alongside the thrilling final game, the 7x30."
Mediaset’s programming strategy this summer is clear: no more reruns. Instead, the network is investing in recognizable brands with a modern appeal to keep audiences engaged throughout the season. The success of Wheel of Fortune in prime access has already shown that nostalgia, when paired with fresh energy, can still captivate viewers.
With Sarabanda back on air, Canale 5 aims to reinforce its early evening offer and continue a summer season rich in entertainment, games, and familiar faces — all elements that contribute to creating appointment viewing even in the traditionally quieter months.