What Happened
The 76th Italian Song Festival, known as Sanremo 2026, kicked off with a somewhat subdued debut on February 24, 2026. Despite the presence of notable artists like Laura Pausini and Carlo Conti, the event saw a decline in viewership compared to the previous year, with 9.6 million viewers tuning in, down from over 12 million in 2025. However, the festival’s impact on the streaming platform RaiPlay was significant, as it experienced a surge in traffic.
Why It Matters
Reportedly, the term raiplay skyrocketed in search rankings across Italy following the festival’s opening night. The platform became a crucial resource for viewers who missed the live broadcast or wished to revisit performances. Within hours of the first night, RaiPlay recorded over 700,000 viewers for on-demand clips, surpassing one million views, marking a 15% increase from the previous year. This surge highlights RaiPlay’s growing importance in the consumption of live national events.
What’s Next
As the festival continues, RaiPlay is expected to maintain its pivotal role in delivering content related to Sanremo 2026. The platform’s ability to provide full performances, highlights, and exclusive interviews has solidified its status as a leader in digital content consumption. With increasing international interest, as evidenced by 240,000 on-demand views from abroad, RaiPlay is set to enhance its global reach and engagement throughout the festival.
