Gerry Scotti and Stefano De Martino call for 21:30 TV close‑time at Premio Biagio Agnes
At the 18th Premio Biagio Agnes ceremony held in Rome’s Piazza di Spagna, veteran presenter Gerry Scotti and rising star Stefano De Martino were jointly honored for their contributions to Italian television. The award, presented by veteran broadcaster Bruno Vespa, was received amid an ovation as the two hosts embraced on stage.
During the televised moment, the rivals of the access‑prime‑time slot – Scotti’s “Affari Tuoi” on Rai 1 and De Martino’s “La Ruota della Fortuna” on Canale 5 – exchanged symbolic gifts (a boxed “Affari Tuoi” package and a customised “Ruota della Fortuna” jolly) and made a humorous plea to network directors: “Fateci finire alle 21:30.” The appeal referenced growing viewer fatigue with late‑night extensions of prime‑time programming. The ceremony, hosted by Mara Venier and Alberto Matano, will be broadcast on Rai 1 on 2 July.