Italian television ratings saw a clear winner Thursday evening, February 19, 2026, as Rai 1’s long-running drama Don Matteo continued its strong performance, while Canale 5’s satirical news program Striscia la Notizia concluded its primetime run with a notable dip in viewership. The evening also featured the ongoing coverage of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and a variety of other programming across Italy’s major networks.
The latest episode of Don Matteo 15, starring Raoul Bova, captivated an audience of 3,633,000 viewers, securing a 21.9% share of the primetime audience, according to Auditel data. This solid performance underscores the enduring popularity of the series, which has been a staple of Italian television for years. Meanwhile, Striscia la Notizia, hosted by Ezio Greggio and Enzo Iacchetti, delivered its final primetime broadcast, attracting 1,479,000 viewers and a 10.3% share. The program, known for its satirical grab on current events and the awarding of the “Tapiro d’oro” – this time to Andrea Pucci – saw its audience numbers decline compared to previous broadcasts.
Competition for viewers was fierce, with several other programs vying for attention. The Winter Olympics on Rai 2, boosted by figure skating coverage, garnered a 10.2% share with 2,025,000 viewers. Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation on Italia 1 drew 658,000 viewers, achieving a 3.9% share. Other notable performances included Geppi Cucciari’s Splendida Cornice on Rai 3 (836,000 viewers, 5.1% share), Paolo Del Debbio’s Dritto e Rovescio on Rete 4 (815,000 viewers, 6.4% share), and Corrado Formigli’s Piazzapulita on La7 (895,000 viewers, 6.5% share). Belén Rodríguez continued to attract viewers to Only Fun – Comico Show on Nove, with 587,000 tuning in for a 3.6% share.
Primetime Ratings Breakdown – February 19, 2026
| Network | Program | Share | Viewers (Millions) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rai 1 | Don Matteo 15 | 21.9% | 3.633 |
| Canale 5 | Striscia la Notizia | 10.3% | 1.479 |
| Rai 2 | Olimpiadi Invernali Milano Cortina 2026 | 10.2% | 2.025 |
| Italia 1 | Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation | 3.9% | 0.659 |
Elsewhere in the evening’s programming, Stefano De Martino’s Affari Tuoi on Rai 1 regained the lead in the access primetime slot, achieving a 22.6% share with 4,906,000 viewers. This marks a turnaround for the program after recent challenges, surpassing Gerry Scotti’s La Ruota della Fortuna on Canale 5, which secured a 21.1% share with 4,559,000 viewers.
The conclusion of Striscia la Notizia’s primetime run raises questions about the future of the program and its role in Italian television. While the show remains a popular fixture, the declining viewership suggests a potential shift in audience preferences. The success of Don Matteo, while, demonstrates the continued appeal of established drama series.
As the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics continue, viewership is expected to remain strong on Rai 2. The coming weeks will reveal whether other programs can capitalize on the current television landscape and attract larger audiences. The competition for primetime dominance is likely to remain intense as networks vie for viewers’ attention.
What do you think will be the next big hit on Italian television? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
