Italian TV Ratings: Don Matteo Leads, Olympics Draw Solid Viewership in February 2026
Thursday, February 12th, 2026, saw a competitive night for Italian television, with Rai taking the top spots in primetime viewing figures. Don Matteo 15 emerged as the most-watched program, attracting 3,790,000 viewers and a 23.2% share, according to Auditel data.
Primetime Showdown: Don Matteo vs. The Olympics & Striscia
The popular medical drama Don Matteo successfully held its audience, beating out strong competition from the ongoing Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Rai 2, which garnered 2,413,000 viewers (11.3% share), and Striscia la Notizia on Canale 5, which reached 1,773,000 viewers (11.7% share). This demonstrates the continued appeal of established Italian drama series.
Access Prime Time: Rai Dominates Early Evening
Rai also performed strongly in the access primetime slot. Affari Tuoi (Rai 1) led with 4,876,000 viewers (22.6%), surpassing Mediaset’s La Ruota della Fortuna (4,664,000 viewers, 21.6%). Earlier in the evening, L’Eredità on Rai 1 outperformed Canale 5’s Caduta Libera in the preserale slot.
Daytime and News: A Fragmented Audience
Daytime television saw a more fragmented audience, with Rai 1’s È Sempre Mezzogiorno attracting 1,630,000 viewers (15.3%) and Canale 5’s Forum reaching 1,363,000 viewers (16.2%). News broadcasts remained popular, with TG1’s evening edition reaching 4,316,000 viewers (22.1%).
The Rise of Sporting Events: Olympics Impact
The inclusion of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics across Rai 2 and RaiSport significantly impacted viewership figures throughout the day. Various Olympic events, including skating and snowboarding, consistently drew over 1 million viewers, highlighting the public’s interest in the games. Rai2’s daytime Olympic coverage reached 2.310.000 viewers (26%) with the Ski Super-G event.
Second Primetime: Rai Continues to Lead
In the second primetime slot, Rai 1’s Porta a Porta secured 645,000 viewers (11.4%), whereas Canale 5’s X-Style attracted 419,000 viewers (7.8%). Rai2’s Notti Olimpiche also performed well, reaching 1,159,000 viewers (8%).
Future Trends in Italian Television
The Enduring Power of Established Formats
The success of Don Matteo demonstrates the continued appeal of long-running, well-established television formats in Italy. While new shows emerge, audiences often gravitate towards familiar narratives and characters. This suggests a need for broadcasters to invest in and nurture existing franchises.
The Olympics as a Ratings Driver
The strong viewership numbers for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics underscore the power of live sporting events to attract large audiences. Broadcasters can leverage major sporting events to boost ratings and advertising revenue. The impact extends beyond the event itself, creating a halo effect for the channel’s other programming.
Fragmentation and the Rise of Streaming
While Rai and Mediaset continue to dominate traditional television viewership, the increasing fragmentation of the media landscape, driven by the growth of streaming services, presents a challenge. Broadcasters need to adapt by offering content on multiple platforms and exploring new distribution models.
The Importance of Daytime Programming
Daytime television remains a significant battleground for viewership, with programs like Forum and È Sempre Mezzogiorno consistently attracting large audiences. Broadcasters should continue to invest in engaging daytime content to maintain their share of the market.
FAQ
Q: Which channel had the highest overall viewership on February 12th, 2026?
A: Rai had the highest overall viewership, with a 44.9% share.
Q: How did the Olympics perform in terms of viewership?
A: The Olympics performed strongly, with various events attracting over 1 million viewers throughout the day.
Q: What was the most-watched program in primetime?
A: Don Matteo 15 was the most-watched program in primetime, with 3,790,000 viewers.
Q: Is traditional television viewership declining in Italy?
A: While traditional television viewership is facing challenges from streaming services, established formats and live events like the Olympics still attract large audiences.
Pro Tip: Broadcasters should focus on creating high-quality, engaging content that appeals to a broad audience, and explore new distribution models to reach viewers on multiple platforms.
Did you know? The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are expected to be a major cultural and economic event for Italy, attracting millions of visitors and generating significant revenue.
Explore more articles on Italian television trends and Auditel ratings on our website.
