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Italy’s association of local broadcasters, Aeranti-Corallo, used the Italian World Radio Day conference on March 9 to warn about potential risks facing the country’s radio sector.
The sixth edition of the Italian World Radio Day conference, organized by Radio Speaker, took place in Milan. The event is inspired by World Radio Day, which is celebrated globally on Feb. 13. Organizers scheduled the Italian industry conference several weeks later to avoid clashes with major national media events, including the Sanremo Festival, which involves many professionals from the country’s radio sector.
During an afternoon session, Aeranti-Corallo coordinator Marco Rossignoli addressed several issues affecting Italian radio, including the European Commission’s infringement procedure concerning alleged FM interference with neighboring countries. Rossignoli said Italian broadcasters are “strongly concerned” that the EU procedure — related to alleged FM interference affecting Slovenia, Croatia, France and Malta — could result in technical measures that might harm the operational viability of the sector.
“We must remember that broadcasters have been operating for more than 30 years under ministerial concessions, paying the related fees and government concession taxes,” Rossignoli said. “Aeranti-Corallo therefore believes it is necessary for the Italian state to adequately protect the entire sector to guarantee its full operational continuity.”
Rossignoli also stressed the importance of maintaining regulatory requirements that ensure radio reception — both FM and DAB+ — is available in all new vehicles. Radio listening, Rossignoli noted, continues to take place primarily in vehicles. However, weakening guarantees for over-the-air radio reception in cars, he said, while favoring internet-based platforms and undermining the future of digital terrestrial radio distribution in the automotive sector, could have negative consequences for the medium.
He added that local radio stations continue to play a central role in Italy’s media landscape due to their strong local presence, original programming and close relationship with audiences. According to Rossignoli, audience data shows that local radio achieved a combined gross daily reach of more than 31 million listeners in 2025. He also said that in five Italian regions the most-listened-to station is a local broadcaster, while eight local stations have higher audiences than at least one national station.
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