Sanremo Music Festival Opens Up to Competition After Court Ruling
In a surprising turn of events, a court ruling has shattered Rai‘s decades-old monopoly on the prestigious Sanremo Music Festival. The Administrative Court of Liguria declared the direct assignment of the festival to Rai illegitimate, paving the way for other broadcasters to potentially bid for the right to host the iconic event.
While the 2025 edition, programmed by Carlo Conti, will proceed as planned, the ruling dictates that starting in 2026 the Municipality of Sanremo must launch a public tender, opening up the competition to all interested parties. This marks the end of Rai’s exclusive reign over the festival, which began in 1955.
A Blow To Rai, A Boost for Competition
The decision is a significant blow to Rai, a state broadcaster that relies heavily on
the Sanremo Music Festival’s substantial viewership and advertising revenue. The Festival is one of Italy’s biggest cultural events, entitled to a national audience and media frenzy each February. The court ruling instantly ignited a political firestorm, with the Democratic Party demanding that Rai’s CEO, Giampaolo Rossi, appear before Parliament to explain how the music festival will be secured as a staple of public service broadcasting.
The lawsuit originated from Sergio Cerruti, president of the Italian record companies’ association, who, through his company JE Label, challenged the exclusive use of the “Italian Music Festival” brand by Rai. The administrative judges, while partially accepting his argument, ultimately ruled that there is no inherent and unbreakable link between the trademark and the television format itself.
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The court’s reasoning cited the various changes the Sanremo Festival has gone through since its inception, using specific examples like the 2021 edition where the audience couldn’t physically attend due to COVID-19 restrictions and the year 2004 when the artistic director and host were not aligned.
The judges considered these instances proof that the festival’s identity thrived despite format variations, leading to a public tender being deemed appropriate.
Legal Battle Looms
Adding fuel to the fire are concerns raised by Cerruti, who claims he has been attempting since July to meet with top Rai officials regarding over 50 million euros owed to the music industry in unpaid rights dating back to 2009. He said, “David has defeated Goliath; I am ready to escalate this matter to the European Commission as well.”
Rai intends to appeal the decision, asserting its ownership of the unique Festival format and its claim that no other entity could organize the event.
Yet,
this legal challenge does little to weigh down the initial shockwaves the ruling sent rippling through Italian television. While awaiting the outcome of Rai’s appeal to the Council of State, the question remains: will other broadcasters, such as Mediaset, plunge into the illuminating frenzy, challenged to compete with what was once considered an untouchable Rai domain?
While the decision has triggered anxiety within Rai headquarters, the response from Fratelli d’Italia, part of Italy’s ruling coalition, signaled
confidence in the state broadcaster’s ability to maintain its control over the Sanremo Festival.
Fratelli d’Italia Senator Gianni Berrino, a longtime deputy mayor of Sanremo and member of the Supervisory Commission of Rai, declared, “The bond between Rai and the festival must continue”.
However, this vote
of confidence from the majority hasn’t undone the lingering sentiment. The Court’s ruling has undoubtedly opened a new chapter in the history of the Sanremo Music Festival, leaving the door open
to a future with a different face. Mediaset’s satirical news program ‘Striscia la Notizia,’ often critical of
Rai’s handling of the Festival, wasted no time reflecting this sentiment. They declared “It is not clear why the singing competition should always be entrusted to Rai.”
How might this ruling affect the future of the Italian music industry and its representation of diverse voices and musical genres?
## Interview: Sanremo Music Festival Open to All
**HOST:** Welcome back to the show. Joining us today is music industry expert, [GUEST NAME], to discuss the unexpected ruling that could change the landscape of the iconic Sanremo Music Festival.
**GUEST:** Thanks for having me. It’s certainly an interesting development.
**HOST:** This court ruling declares Rai’s long-standing monopoly on the festival illegitimate. What are your initial thoughts on this?
**GUEST:** It’s a seismic shift. Rai has been synonymous with Sanremo for decades, and its reach brought this remarkable festival to millions across Italy and beyond. This ruling opens the door for other broadcasters, potentially changing the direction and feel of the festival we know and love.
**HOST:** You mentioned “changing the direction.”
Are you concerned that the festival’s character or cultural impact might be altered by this competition?
**GUEST:** There’s definitely a risk. Sanremo is deeply woven into the fabric of Italian culture, and it’s important that any changes be made thoughtfully. A new broadcaster might prioritize different aspects, perhaps focusing on younger audiences or
different musical genres. It’s a balancing act – preserving tradition while embracing innovation. [[1](https://www.visititaly.eu/latest-news/sanremo-festival-all-the-information-in-advance)]
**HOST:** This decision doesn’t affect the 2025 festival, programmed by Carlo Conti. But starting in 2026, the bidding opens up.
Do you think Rai will be able to hold onto the rights?
**GUEST:** Rai is facing a tough challenge. They’ve relied heavily on Sanremo’s viewership and advertising revenue. Other broadcasters might be willing to put significant bids on the table. It will be interesting to see how Rai responds and whether they can retain the festival’s spirit while competing in this new environment.
**HOST:** What impact do you think this ruling will have on the future of the Italian music industry as a whole?
**GUEST:** This could be a real turning point. Opening up Sanremo to competition could lead to a more diverse range of voices and perspectives being represented. It might encourage innovation and push the boundaries of Italian music. It’s a chance for a fresh start, and I’m excited to see what unfolds.
