It was a Sunday and it marked the beginning of a great revolution. On January 3, 2022, Rai and therefore Italian TV turns 67 years old. The beginning of the broadcasts changed the way of life of the Italians. In a short time with a few subscribers, Rai conquered all Italian families. Thus entering by right into our daily life. This is why we can also say that without TV we could not live. There television over time it has changed, improved, adapted to modernity. But let's take a small step back and try to retrace the steps of this great revolution.

Italian TV, the first television broadcast

It was therefore a Sunday, January 3, 1954. At the time the production center was called Eiar and it was a Torino. The first edition of the news was entirely dedicated to this event. The first “Arrivals and Departures” program, conducted by Mike Bongiorno. And then the programming of that day was characterized by sports, with trot and football, cinema with Mario Soldati's “Le miserie del Signor Travet”. In the evening, the first newscast and then the theater with Carlo Goldoni's "L'osteria della posta", staged by Isa Barzizza and Leonardo Cortese.

The video announcing the start of the broadcasts

The programming of that time

If a first approach to the diffusion of broadcasts with Italian TV had already begun in the Thirties, it was necessary to wait a few more years to get to the programming which then started the television revolution. The first broadcasts were broadcast from Milan, but not everyone could see them. In fact, it was only at the end of 1956 that the signal reached the whole national territory. And then everyone to buy the device TV. Each house began to have one even if there were many who could not buy it. And then meetings were organized in bars or in private homes. Even in the streets and courtyards. The regular appointment was the television quizzes: one of all the "Leave or double?" by Mike Buongiorno, Mario Riva with his “Il Musichiere”. And so if in 1954 TV subscribers were 24.000, in 1965 they are more than 6 million.

The other Rai networks and their programs

Soon the TV adapted to the changes of the weather. And so the other networks were born. In 1961 Raidue which focused on cinema, with many screenplays such as “I promessi Sposi” by Alessandro Manzoni, “I Miserabili” by Victor Hugo, “The Citadel” by Cronin. And then TV also became a means of advertising: in 1957 it lasted just 10 minutes in the Carsosello. And then many other in-depth programs such as "It is never too late", a program aimed at educating the illiterate.

Rai TV
A television studio in the Rai television center in via Teulada in Rome in a photo by Paolo Monti from 1958 Paolo Monti - Available in the BEIC digital library and uploaded in collaboration with the BEIC Foundation. The image comes from the Paolo Monti Fund, owned by BEIC and located at the Civic Photographic Archive of Milan.

Italian TV today

From that experimental beginning we thus arrive at a more articulated programming. The third Rai network was also born and television diversified by offering in-depth television programs suitable for all ages. A long time has passed since that first broadcast. TV has become the tool that is part of everyone's life and we could no longer do without it. Although often the programs that are broadcast are not liked by everyone. But the history in Italy of this great revolution in the world of communication is part of each of us. And telling it is like taking a dip in the past, in the memory that belongs to us.

Photo source in evidence: Copyrighted, https://it.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1055506

January 3, 1954, Italian TV is born last edit: 2022-01-03T09:00:00+01:00 da Federica Puglisi

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