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The passing of Pippo Baudo, one of Italy’s most iconic television hosts, has left a profound mark on the national media landscape. Beloved by audiences across generations, Baudo was more than a presenter—he was a cultural symbol whose career spanned decades, shaping both Rai and Mediaset’s primetime history. In the wake of his death, Italy’s major broadcasters promptly reshaped their schedules to honor his memory, dedicating space to his extraordinary career and recalling the moments that made him a household name.
Rai led the commemorations with a series of specials and dedicated slots that achieved strong audience figures, reflecting the enduring affection of Italian viewers.
The day began with Speciale Tg1 at 8:25am, which delivered a remarkable 27.3% share, reaching 1.21 million viewers. In the afternoon, Estate in diretta drew 1.56 million viewers (17.8% share), followed by a Techetechetè tribute that resonated strongly, pulling in 2.93 million viewers with a 21.1% share.
Prime time on Rai 1 was dedicated to Baudo’s legacy with the rerun of Papaveri e papere, an early gem in his career. The special attracted 1.56 million viewers (13.4% share). Later in the evening, Io e te was watched by 621,000 people (11.3% share). On Rai 3, the Baudo-starring film Il suo nome è donna Rosa aired in daytime, drawing 157,000 viewers (3.2% share).
Rai also devoted Saturday evening prime time to an extraordinary edition of TG1 – Addio a Pippo Baudo, which garnered 2.23 million viewers and an 18.2% share, further underlining the emotional connection between the broadcaster, its audiences, and the star.
Mediaset also joined in the national homage, reshaping its primetime schedule on Rete 4. On Sunday, August 17, Zona Bianca, hosted by Giuseppe Brindisi, aired a special episode entirely dedicated to Baudo. The program attracted 432,000 viewers, achieving a 4.1% share. The tribute replaced the regularly scheduled Freedom – Oltre il confine, signaling Mediaset’s recognition of Baudo’s central role in Italian TV culture.
The audience figures confirm how deeply Baudo’s passing resonated with the public. Rai’s wide-ranging tribute not only dominated the ratings throughout the day but also offered a journey through some of the presenter’s most memorable appearances, highlighting his lasting influence on entertainment and Italian popular culture. Mediaset, although with a smaller footprint in terms of ratings, contributed to the collective farewell with its own dedicated coverage.
