Pier Silvio Berlusconi, CEO of Mediaset, expressed his hopes for the Festival di Sanremo to remain under Rai’s management, underscoring its historical and cultural significance. During a press event in Cologno Monzese, he stated, “Sanremo is a cornerstone of Rai, and Rai is the true engine behind the Festival.” Addressing speculation about Mediaset acquiring Sanremo, he dismissed the idea, emphasizing respect for its ties to Rai, though he left the door open to future evaluations if it ever became available.
Berlusconi criticized recent political proposals to reduce the Rai license fee, labeling them as “propaganda” and warning about their implications. He argued that weakening Rai could jeopardize the Italian media industry, opening the door to global corporations and diminishing Italy’s cultural representation. “A strong Rai is essential not only for the audiovisual industry but for maintaining our national identity,” he asserted.
Highlighting Mediaset’s achievements, Berlusconi celebrated the network’s record-breaking 2024 performance, with over 9,000 hours of original programming and impressive advertising reach. Reflecting on Mediaset’s trajectory, he reaffirmed his dedication to the company, dismissing any notions of entering politics. “I love this company and the people here. My work is far from finished,” he said, adding that Italy’s current stable government is “doing well” amidst Europe’s challenges.
