Rai 2
Rai 2 is the second national free-to-air television channel operated by Italy’s public broadcaster Rai.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Rai 2 is the second television channel of Rai, Italy’s state-owned public broadcasting group. It began regular broadcasting on 4 November 1961 under the name Secondo Programma, several years after Rai’s original national channel. The service was created to expand national television coverage and to provide programming that differed from the schedule of the first network. Its early transmission plan called for a growing network of transmitters and relay stations, reflecting the broader expansion of television access across Italy. From the beginning, the channel occupied a distinctive position within Rai. It generally operated with smaller budgets than the first channel and was used as a testing ground for new presenters, formats, genres and styles. Emerging entertainers were often given opportunities on the second network before moving to more prominent assignments elsewhere in the Rai system. This experimental role helped the channel develop a reputation for innovation, youth-oriented programming and formats that were less conventional than those associated with the main network. Its schedule has historically combined news, entertainment, drama, comedy, sport, documentaries, factual programming, talk shows, reality television, cartoons and children’s content. The channel’s news operation, initially called Telegiornale del Secondo Programma, was launched alongside the network and later became TG2. Unlike a simple repeat of the first channel’s bulletin, it developed its own editorial identity and included shorter news updates, investigations and current-affairs coverage. Rai 2 also became a home for influential entertainment and factual programmes, including the quiz show Rischiatutto, the youth-oriented musical and discussion programme Speciale per voi, the international event Jeux Sans Frontières, the music programme Festivalbar, and the travel series Sereno variabile. The 1975 reform of Rai marked a major institutional turning point. In 1976, Secondo Programma was renamed Rete 2, while its news service adopted the name TG2 and gained greater organizational autonomy. The network was positioned as a younger and more experimental counterpart to Rete 1. This period produced programmes that challenged established television conventions, including L’altra domenica, Odeon, Stryx, Onda libera and Processo per stupro. The channel also became associated with the launch or development of important television personalities, including Roberto Benigni, who made an early television appearance in the controversial satirical programme Onda libera, and with successful formats such as Portobello. Rai 2 conducted an experimental colour transmission in August 1972 using the PAL system and later introduced increasingly regular colour broadcasts. Regular colour programming began in February 1977. Over time, the network changed its name from Rete 2 to Rai Due and eventually to the current Rai 2 brand. It remains a general-interest channel, but its editorial emphasis has increasingly included younger viewers, contemporary entertainment, serial drama, reality formats, information, knowledge programming and sports. Its main commercial competitor is Mediaset’s Italia 1, although Rai 2 operates within a public-service broadcasting group rather than as a commercial standalone network. Today, Rai 2 is distributed through Italy’s television infrastructure and is also available through Rai’s digital platform RaiPlay, including a live stream. The channel continues to combine national news through TG2 with entertainment, factual programmes, sport, scripted series and selected international or acquired content. As part of Rai’s wider portfolio, it complements Rai 1’s mainstream flagship role, Rai 3’s stronger public-affairs and regional orientation, and Rai’s specialist digital and thematic services.
History
Rai’s second television network was announced in late 1960 as part of the expansion of national broadcasting. After experimental transmissions beginning in August 1961, regular service started on 4 November under the name Secondo Programma. Aba Cercato presented the inaugural broadcast, which included a First World War-themed production. The network’s early purpose was to complement rather than duplicate the first Rai channel, but it was initially regarded as the junior service because of its smaller budgets and more limited access to established stars. That lower-cost position also made the network a valuable laboratory. It introduced new performers, alternative entertainment formats and programming aimed at younger audiences. During the 1960s and early 1970s, the schedule included Jeux Sans Frontières, Festivalbar, Renzo Arbore’s Speciale per voi and Mike Bongiorno’s highly successful quiz programme Rischiatutto. The service also carried drama, miniseries, current-affairs programmes and early animation blocks. Its news bulletin, originally titled Telegiornale del Secondo Programma, aired from the channel’s first day and developed into the autonomous TG2 operation. The 1975 reform of Rai reshaped the network’s structure and identity. In 1976, Secondo Programma became Rete 2, while the news service became TG2. Massimo Fichera directed the network and Andrea Barbato directed the newscast. The network was explicitly differentiated from Rete 1 as a younger, more experimental service. This editorial policy supported programmes such as L’altra domenica, Odeon, Stryx, Onda libera and the travel programme Sereno variabile. It also provided a platform for Roberto Benigni’s early television work and for socially significant programming such as Processo per stupro. Rete 2 was also an important site in Rai’s transition to colour television. It carried an experimental PAL broadcast during the 1972 Olympic Games and introduced limited colour programming in the mid-1970s. Regular colour broadcasting began in February 1977. The network later adopted the Rai Due identity before becoming Rai 2. Across subsequent decades, Rai 2 remained a general-interest channel while developing a stronger connection with younger viewers and contemporary popular culture. Its programming mix has included news, reality television, talk shows, sports, drama, sitcoms, factual series, infotainment, cartoons and children’s programming. The network competes most directly with Italia 1 in the Italian television market, while retaining the public-service obligations and institutional context of Rai. Its live service is now also distributed online through RaiPlay.
- 1977
Regular colour service begins
[1]Regular colour broadcasting commenced after earlier experimental and limited colour transmissions.
- 1976
Renamed Rete 2
[1]The network was renamed Rete 2 following Rai’s institutional reform, and its news service became TG2.
- 1972
First experimental colour transmission
[1]Rai 2 transmitted an experimental PAL colour broadcast during the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics.
- 1970
Rischiatutto premieres
[1]Mike Bongiorno’s quiz show became one of the channel’s major early successes before later seasons moved to Rai 1.
- 1967
Festivalbar begins airing
[1]The music event became an important youth-oriented summer television property.
- 1965
Jeux Sans Frontières becomes part of the schedule
[1]The international competition programme helped broaden the channel’s national profile.
- 1962
RT Rotocalco Televisivo debuts
[1]Enzo Biagi presented an early topical magazine programme on the second channel, strengthening its current-affairs role.
- 1961
Regular broadcasting begins as Secondo Programma
[1]Rai’s second channel began regular broadcasts on 4 November after several months of experimental transmissions.
- 1960
Rai announces a second television network
[1]Rai announced plans for a second national television service, including a phased transmitter and relay expansion.
Products and positioning
A national public-service general-interest channel with a historically experimental, youth-oriented and entertainment-led profile.
Television news · 1961
TG2
TG2 is Rai 2’s principal news brand. It developed from the original Telegiornale del Secondo Programma, which began on the channel’s first day. The service was designed to provide an independent news bulletin rather than merely repeat the first network’s newscast, with concise updates, investigations and current-affairs coverage. Following the 1975 Rai reform, TG2 received a distinct identity and organizational direction.
Quiz show · 1970
Rischiatutto
Rischiatutto was an Italian quiz format hosted by Mike Bongiorno. It premiered on the second channel in 1970 and quickly became one of the network’s most successful programmes. Its popularity was strong enough for later seasons and finals to receive Rai 1 exposure. The programme illustrates Rai 2’s historical role as a development platform for formats that could later become mainstream national television.
Entertainment and variety · 1977
Portobello
A major entertainment programme created and hosted by Enzo Tortora. It began on Rete 2 in 1977, initially in a late-evening slot and in black and white, before moving to prime time and colour after becoming successful. The programme exemplified the network’s capacity to develop popular formats outside Rai’s original flagship schedule.
Travel and factual programming · 1978
Sereno variabile
A long-running travel programme presented by Osvaldo Bevilacqua. It became one of the channel’s durable factual properties and remained associated with Rai 2 until 2019.
Digital television service
Rai 2 live stream
Rai 2’s linear channel is available online through RaiPlay, allowing viewers to access a live feed alongside Rai’s broader digital catch-up and streaming offering.
Controversies
1976
Onda libera censorship
Onda libera, popularly known as Televacca, was a satirical programme presented by a young Roberto Benigni. Its deliberately provocative language, social satire and parody of local television generated controversy. The programme was censored and stopped after four episodes.
Brand decisions
1977
Move to regular colour broadcastingOtherBackground
The channel had already tested PAL colour transmission and had carried limited colour programming during the mid-1970s.
Action taken
Rai 2 began regular colour broadcasting in February 1977.
Aftermath
The change modernized the service and preceded the broader normalization of colour television across Rai’s national networks.
1976
Differentiate the second network as a younger and experimental serviceStrategyBackground
The 1975 Rai reform created stronger distinctions between the two national networks and gave the second service its own network and news identities.
Action taken
Rai renamed Secondo Programma as Rete 2, established TG2 as a distinct news operation and emphasized alternative, youth-oriented and experimental programming.
Aftermath
The new positioning supported programmes such as L’altra domenica, Stryx, Onda libera and Processo per stupro, and shaped the channel’s longer-term identity.
Recent events
- 1977
Rai 2 begins regular colour broadcasting[1]
Product generation
The network moved from limited colour transmissions to regular colour broadcasting in February 1977.
- 1976
Secondo Programma becomes Rete 2 and TG2 gains a separate identity[1]
Leadership change
Following the 1975 Rai reform, the second network adopted the Rete 2 name and its news operation became TG2 with separate direction and editorial structures.
- 1972
Rai 2 conducts its first experimental colour broadcast[1]
Product generation
The channel carried an experimental PAL colour transmission during coverage of the 1972 Summer Olympics.
- 1961
Rai launches its second national television service[1]
Other
Rai began regular broadcasts of its second network on 4 November 1961 under the name Secondo Programma, following a period of experimental transmissions.
Sources2 sources
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