The Eurovision song contest is concidered a public service in Italy and in RAI all of sudden, just like the Sanremo festival, cultural programmes (art, opera and such) and sporting events. In other words broadcasting this event is funded by the TV licence and the viewing figures shouldn't pay such a big role at all. What has caused this change of heart in the offices of RAI is anyone's guess. This is at least in the contract of the broadcaster for the season 2010-2012, after that who knows?
One might add that the price of the TV licence in Italy for 2012 goes up 1,50 euros to 112 euros (while in Finland in 2013 it will be changed to a tax to be paid by everyone depending on earnings - whether you have a TV or not. Just to compare, for 2012 in Finland you pay 252,25 euros)
Comments