Disney+ to stream Rai gameshows & chatshows in Italy

Disney+ has struck its latest content deal with a European free-to-air broadcaster in Europe, this time partnering with Rai in Italy.

The agreement has been struck via sales arm Rai Com and will see current chat shows and gameshows heading to Disney+, as well as docureality series and dramas.

Francesca Fagnani-hosted talkshow Belve and the Italian version of The Floor (aka The Floor: Ne Rimarrà Solo Uno) will both be available for Disney+ customers to stream from the next day after airing on Rai 2.

Other series such as 2014 drama Braccialetti Rossi and 2021 scripted show Mina Settembre will also become available on Disney+, alongside L’amica Geniale, Un Passo dal Cielo and Màkari.

Docureality series Il Collegio is also in the package, which will be offered via a dedicated collection on Disney+.

The deal is the latest in a series of agreements bretween Disney+ and FTA broadcasters in Europe, which have seen pacts struck with RTVE and Atresmedia in Spain, the UK’s ITVX, ARD and ZDF in Germany, and SIC in Portugal.

It also marks the second time in a week, following RTVE, that Disney+ has landed a deal that gives it rights to stream content immediately after its linear broadcast.

Disney+ has previously worked with Rai on shows such as Don Matteo, I Bastardi Di Pizzofalcone, Un Medico In Famiglia and Doc - Nelle Tue Mani, which are among the Italian public broadcaster’s shows already available on the streamer.

Karl Holmes, general manager of Disney+ EMEA, said the deal would deliver “an even broader selection of incredibly iconic local shows” to his subscribers.

“Building on over 40 years of Disney and Rai working alongside each other in Italy, this initiative also aligns with our approach to working with free to air broadcasters across Europe, helping them bring their stories to wider audiences while giving Disney+ customers more extraordinary local entertainment and more ways to enjoy the shows they love.”