New faces and a host of old favourites in the autumn schedule
The LA7 channel combines new faces and old favourites this coming autumn, as it builds on the first half of the year when viewing figures continued to rise past a 3% audience share.
The network has undergone two major changes at its strategic News and Sport operations with the arrival of new department heads Antonello Piroso and Darwin Pastorin. As soon as they started work, much to the viewing public’s delight Piroso and Pastorin added exciting new programming to the summer schedule: weekly talk-show NIENTE DI PERSONALE – which will be back this autumn – and a nightly review of the day’s World Cup action in IL GOL SOPRA BERLINO.
LA7 has an exciting new line-up of shows: 25A ORA – IL CINEMA ESPANSO, presented by Paola Maugeri, will be taking viewers on a voyage of discovery into the world of movies every night at 1 a.m., starting on September 11; NIRVANA is the new science/history slot that will be taking over from Stargate – Linea di confine this October. Natalino Balasso will be presenting the Mitiko entertainment show starting on Saturday, September 23. The show examines Ancient Greek myths on the premise that they are still enormously topical, and compares them with modern-day myths. Lella Costa and Marco Travaglio will be helping Balasso with the show.
LA7 is pleased to welcome back the shows that have helped to build the network’s identity and win TV viewers to its unique brand of Italian TV: Piero Chiambretti’s irreverent late show MARKETTE returns on October 3; Daria Bignardi’s LE INVASIONI BARBARICHE returns on October 6 with interviews of well-known figures from TV, politics and culture; CROZZA ITALIA is an unmissable show starting in October that showcases Maurizio Crozza’s stand-up comedy and impersonations.
The popular morning current affairs show OMNIBUS, hosted by Antonello Piroso, returns on September 11. OTTO E MEZZO is back with presenters Giuliano Ferrara and Ritanna Armeni. Gad Lerner’s L’INFEDELE airs every Wednesday starting October 11. ALTRA STORIA, presented by Pierluigi Battista, returns on October 21 with nine episodes that look back on recent history, every Saturday from 1 p.m.
ATLANTIDE, presented by Francesca Mazzalai every afternoon from September 11, is also back this autumn, along with docu-realities S.O.S. TATA, CHEF PER UN GIORNO, CAMBIO MOGLIE and I VIAGGI DI NINA II. M.O.D.A. returns with Cinzia Malvini, as does ANNI LUCE with Enrico Vaime from October 29.
LA7’s sports programming is spearheaded by the network’s exclusive live coverage of the Six Nations Rugby Tournament and the spectacular World Superbike Championship. In 2007 the Telecom Italia Media Group-owned TV channel will be the official home of the 32nd America’s Cup, the world’s most prestigious yacht race.
LA7 is rolling out a number of new TV series (HUSTLE - I SIGNORI DELLA TRUFFA and NEW TRICKS). Popular favourite CROSSING JORDAN and the “classic” L’ISPETTORE BARNABY both make a welcome return. Brand new episodes of the L WORD, the scandalous US series, are being screened this autumn, after the first season was shown last year.
LA7 keeps up its news and major events focus with two specials. To mark the fifth anniversary of the Twin Towers tragedy in New York, all prime-time programming on September 11 will be geared to looking back at the event and its repercussions. On December 19 – the tenth anniversary of Marcello Mastroianni’s death – LA7 is airing a documentary by Mario Canale and Annalisa Morri, MARCELLO – UNA VITA DOLCE, which was co-produced by the network and screened out of competition at the recent Cannes Film Festival. Much of the programming that day will be in homage to the great Italian actor.
LA7 has carved out a niche for itself and consolidated its identity as “TV per scelta” (TV You Want To See). The company has attracted ever-increasing numbers of viewers who are looking for a different kind of television station. Focused on publicly- and critically-acclaimed shows, the new schedule will help the broadcaster as it meticulously builds on its solid viewer base.
Milan, July 12, 2006