Rai to move Rai Scuola to digital platform

Rai is transitioning its educational channel, Rai Scuola, from linear digital terrestrial television to a digital-first model. Starting October 1, channel 57 will be replaced by 'Italiana', a new network dedicated to Italian territories, traditions, and local communities.

According to Rai, the educational content is not being cancelled but is instead evolving into 'RaiPlay Scuola e Learning'. This new digital ecosystem is designed to provide on-demand access to Rai Cultura productions, archival materials, and didactic resources via computers, tablets, and smartphones. The company justifies the move by citing declining viewership on linear television, noting that Rai Scuola's audience share dropped to approximately 0.09-0.10% in early 2026.

The decision has sparked political debate, with opposition figures questioning whether moving from a dedicated television channel to an on-demand platform reduces accessibility for certain segments of the public, despite Rai's assertion that the change modernizes the service for current student habits.