From January 1st 2023 Italy will switch to the DVB-T2 standard to expand and propagate the TV signal in Italy. In 2012 Italy switched from analog TV signal to digital, now it goes beyond adopting the second generation digital TV resulting in a better signal delivery as well as a broader choice of channels for users.
If you purchased your TV from 2016 onwards, it already adopts the DVB-T2 signal, thus there is no action to be taken. Alternatively you need to change your TV or you can buy a compatible decoder to receive the new signal in your old TV.
TV tax – Canone RAI
Nobody likes taxes, however the Canone RAI is the most hated tax in Italy. No doubt! In Italy every house, office, or public place (bars, restaurants etc.) must pay the Canone Rai which subsidizes the public Television and Radio stations.
This € 90 tax is incorporated in your electricity bill over the year.
Albeit you might not have a TV, but you have an Internet connection, you are still required to pay the TV Tax; in addition, if you have a home in Italy and you live overseas, you are still required to pay such tax. In other words, you can’t escape it.
The following individuals are exempted from the TV tax payment:
- Senior citizens over 75 years of age
- Foreign diplomats and military personnel
- People who don’t own a television or television reception equipment
A declaration of non-possession or exemption must be submitted yearly. Exemption forms can be downloaded from the Agenzia delle Entrate website.
The form can also be submitted online if in possession of a SPID (electronic ID code).
TV Channels in Italy
The Italian TV channels include public and private TV broadcasters. The public broadcasting service is called RAI, providing numerous channels such as:
- Rai Uno;
- Rai Due;
- Rai Tre;
- Rai Sport;
- Rai News24;
- Rai Edu;
- Rai Storia.
On top of the public network, there are various private networks that broadcast their programs for free. The most famous networks are Mediaset and La7.
In addition to the free package, you can subscribe to satellite pay TV.
Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) is a system where television services are delivered via an internet connection. Many Internet or mobile providers will also offer television services and combination package offers.
Radio system in Italy
The radio sector has a structure similar to Television. The public broadcaster RAI runs three FM/AM nationwide channels (Radio 1, Radio 2, Radio 3) representing altogether more than 50 percent of the national audience. The rest of the audience is split among 14 major commercial radio networks as well as thousands of local radio stations.
The private radios are financed exclusively by advertising.
