In 1924, RAI (The national network) began to transmitting and was the only producer of radio news and programmes. By 1954 it was also the only television network transmitting news and prime time programmes. Television, contrary to the perspectives of intellectuals and politicians, was an immediate success. It first became popular in Italy in the 1950s. The enthusiasm was for an American show called 'Double Your Money' (Lascia o raddoppia) where everyone would convene in the local bar or wherever the public television was situated to watch the show.

Where once RAI was alone in this field of media, three groups now compete for dominance in television. RAI, located in Rome has 3 channels and an average audience share of about 45 percent. Mediaset, located in Milan, has three channels and about an average of 43 percent and the Cecchi-Gori Group (the most powerful Italian film producer and distributor) located in Florence has two channels and about an average share of 6 percent. The Vatican has its own network, and there are more than 450 local commercial stations. Nevertheless, the three national channels, RAI 1, 2 and 3, have the odd worthy programme; RAI 3 remains broadly left-wing, with its output leaning more towards the cultural and intellectual, and is the outlet for local news and features.

Radio IOL is dedicated to pop music as is a station called Musix. Italia Radio is part of the Gruppo Espresso, which publishes the daily newspaper La Repubblica and the weekly L'Espresso magazine. KissKiss Network has very little Italian chitchat being almost entirely dedicated to music. Radio Capital can be heard all over Italy. A webcam has been brought into the radio station so you can now see the popular DJ's who work for the station. Radio Deejay can also be heard all over Italy and broadcasts all the latest hits.

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