On New Year’s Eve, 10,725,454 viewers watched the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella’s end of the year message on TV. This was an increase of about 100,000 viewers compared to the previous year. The share also increased from 65.13% to 68.36%. These numbers do not include views via web platforms in live or delayed broadcasts. This marked a record high viewership for a New Year’s message by Mattarella and of a head of state in general, surpassing the 2020 record of 15,272,170 viewers.
In previous years, the viewership numbers for Mattarella’s end of year messages varied. In 2015, the viewers were 10,075,487 with a 56% share. In 2016, the viewers were 10,060,189 with a 58.63% share. In 2017, the viewers were 9,700,277 with a 55.58% share. In 2018, the viewers were 10,525,049 with a 62.13% share. In 2019, the viewers were 10,121,552 with a 59.51% share. The record-breaking year was 2020 with 15,272,170 viewers and a 64.95% share. In 2021, the viewers were 13,541,758 with a 65.94% share. Finally, in 2022, the viewers were 10,643,452.
The increase in viewership and share for Mattarella’s end of year message indicates a sustained interest in the President’s address to the nation. The record-setting numbers in 2020 and the consistent high viewership in subsequent years demonstrate the importance of this annual tradition for many Italians. The fact that these numbers do not include online views suggests that the actual reach of the message may be even higher than reported.
The President’s message likely covered a range of topics relevant to the nation at the time, from reflections on the past year to hopes and goals for the year ahead. This speech is an opportunity for the President to address the country, provide reassurance, and set a tone for the coming year. The high viewership numbers indicate the importance of this tradition in Italian culture and the public’s interest in hearing from their head of state on key issues facing the nation.
Overall, the continued interest and support shown by the Italian public for the President’s end of year message highlight the significance of this annual event. The record-breaking viewership numbers in recent years reflect a strong connection between the President and the people, as well as a shared commitment to moving forward together. The annual message serves as a unifying moment for the nation, bringing people together to reflect on the past and look towards the future with hope and determination.
