New Rai net goes global

The international arm of Italian state broadcaster Rai is in due to launch its new network Rai World Premium in Australia and is in talks to bring it to Central and South America.

Rai World, which presented the new channel at the MIPTV trade fair in Cannes this week, has already agreed signed a deal with Echostar/Dish in the US, which is the first foreign territory to air the network on its DTH platform.

Rai World said an Australian rollout will happen “in the near future” adding that negotiations are currently under way for cable distribution in the US, as well as in Central and South America and Canada.

Rai World Premium is home to Italian TV drama series, miniseries and soaps. The channel joins Rai World’s portfolio of international channels, which include Rai News 24  and its flagship non-European network Rai Italia.