Overview

• Auditel reported 4,514,000 viewers and a 24.2% share for La Ruota della Fortuna versus 4,222,000 and 22.6% for Affari Tuoi in the September 2 head-to-head.
• Mediaset elevated La Ruota to access in mid-July and delayed Striscia la Notizia, building a summer audience that often reached the mid-to-high 20s in share.
• Rai rushed Affari Tuoi back with format updates, including a renovated Teatro delle Vittorie set, a new ‘pacco nero’ valued between €0 and €300,000 known only to the notary, and a Lotteria Italia tie-in.
• Both openings trailed recent highs, with Affari Tuoi down more than ten share points from last season’s 27.5% average and La Ruota off several points from its latest summer peaks.
• Analysts note debut-night figures can fluctuate as viewing habits settle, leaving the longer-term balance between Rai1 and Canale 5 unresolved.