A survey conducted by Makno on behalf of pubcaster RAI has shown there to be 2,300,000 Italian DTH households, representing 12 per cent of total TV households. More than 1,800,000 households own a digital set-top-box – 350,000 of them regularly tune-in to RaiSportSat and 400,000 watch RaiNews 24, RAI’s two free-to-air thematic channels.

The survey also revealed that out of RAI’s six pay-TV channels – RaiSat Ragazzi, RaiSat Album, RaiSat Art, RaiSat Cinema, RaiSat Show and RaiSat Gambero Rosso -the latter is by far the most popular with 202,293 viewers. All six channels were launched one year ago and form part of Tele+’s basic package.

RaiSat Gambero Rosso also ranked eighth most popular among thematic channel, behind the three Tele+ premium services, but ahead of MTV and CNN.

Gambero Rosso Channel is a joint venture between RAI and the publisher of Italy’s leading monthly cuisine and travel magazine. The channel is especially popular during the 22:00-23:00 time slot with a 19.5 per cent share. Due to this unexpected success, the owners of the channel are planning to launch it in France and Spain, together with RaiSat’s partner Canal+.