Amid ongoing controversies, Rai plans to revive the beloved dating show 'Stranamore', originally popular in the 1990s, as part of its effort to modernize in the face of declining viewership.
As the network faces criticism over its poor coverage and management issues during the Olympic inauguration ceremony, with director Paolo Petrecca's position becoming increasingly precarious due to rising costs of external collaborations, Rai is set to bring back 'Stranamore.' This dating show, which found success on Canale 5 in the mid-1990s, is viewed as a strategic move to modernize the programming lineup amidst falling ratings in its news segments.
The revival initiative appears to be driven by Angelo Mellone, the daytime program director, who is concurrently preparing for a theater performance titled 'Ripetizioni d’amore.' Besides overseeing this nostalgic project, Mellone is also active in various cultural pursuits, including writing texts and music, and involving himself in supporters' campaigns for Lazio against Lotito.
Previously, Rai attempted to introduce a similar dating show on Saturdays, hosted by Lorena Bianchetti, but it failed to resonate with audiences. With 'Stranamore', Rai is tapping into nostalgia while trying to innovate and attract viewers back to its programming during tough times for the network. Such decisions reflect both an awareness of past successes and the challenges of current media consumption trends.
