Format

This summer, Mediaset is dominating Italian television ratings with two standout titles that are breaking audience records and generating nationwide buzz: La Ruota della Fortuna and Temptation Island. With smart scheduling choices and a fresh content strategy, the network has effectively sidelined reruns and claimed a leadership role in prime time programming.

In access prime time, the return of the iconic game show La Ruota della Fortuna—the Italian version of The Wheel of Fortune—has proven to be a strategic masterstroke. Hosted by the popular Gerry Scotti and airing every weekday on Canale 5, the show is consistently drawing in over 4 million viewers per night. Its performance has been nothing short of extraordinary, regularly achieving audience shares above 25%. On Monday, July 28, the show set a new summer high with 4.6 million viewers and a 26.4% share, reinforcing its status as the most-watched access prime show of the season. Viewers seem to appreciate the nostalgic yet modern twist on the classic format, and Scotti’s charisma has undoubtedly helped to attract a wide demographic.

Equally impressive is the prime time performance of Temptation Island, the long-running reality series produced by Fascino and based on a format distributed by Banijay Rights. Now in its fourteenth edition, the show has become a full-fledged phenomenon. The 2025 season premiered on July 3 and has consistently delivered stellar ratings, with an average audience share close to 29%—the highest in the program’s history. Individual episodes have peaked at nearly 3.9 million viewers, with shares climbing as high as 30%. These numbers are particularly striking considering the program airs during a time of year traditionally dominated by lower viewership.

Beyond ratings, Temptation Island has generated an enormous cultural impact. It has taken over social media, trending regularly on TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). Viewers and influencers alike are discussing the “fedicrafe” couples featured on the show, with daily commentary from both mainstream media and digital creators. Even intellectuals and cultural critics have weighed in, demonstrating the show’s reach beyond the typical reality TV audience. The massive buzz has turned Temptation Island into a true cross-platform success.

Mediaset’s decision to broadcast the reality show three times in a single week—on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday during the final week of July—was an unusual but highly effective programming move. It capitalized on the show’s popularity and helped to maintain momentum during a crucial stretch of the summer schedule. This bold strategy stands in stark contrast to the traditional reliance on reruns and summer filler content, signaling a shift in how networks may approach seasonal programming in the future.

Ultimately, Mediaset’s winning summer formula has been the combination of well-executed nostalgia and high-engagement reality storytelling. La Ruota della Fortuna brings back a beloved format with contemporary flair, while Temptation Island taps into current social dynamics and emotional drama that resonate with a broad spectrum of viewers. Together, these two shows have not only delivered extraordinary ratings but have also sparked national conversations—both online and off.