Three acclaimed films free on RaiPlay this week
Listen to the story
RaiPlay, the free streaming platform of Italy's public broadcaster Rai, is giving viewers three acclaimed films this week at no cost. According to the report, these movies are highly praised and worth watching before the offer ends.
At the same time, Rai is facing criticism over another change. Rai Scuola, a channel dedicated to education, is being closed. It will be replaced by a new channel called Italiana. The decision has caused strong reactions among viewers and staff.
Many people see Rai Scuola as an important part of public television. They have started petitions, asking Rai to reverse its decision. A petition is a formal request, often signed by many people, calling for action or change.
Critics argue that closing Rai Scuola will damage the public service mission of Rai. They describe the channel as a pillar, or main support, of public broadcasting in Italy. They fear that replacing it with Italiana will weaken educational content available to the public.
So far, it is not clear whether Rai will change its plans. The protests and petitions continue, while the new channel, Italiana, is expected to launch soon.
Vocabulary8 words
- acclaimed
- praised strongly by many people
- streaming
- watching video online, not on normal TV
- petitions
- signed requests asking for a change
- pillar
- a main support; something very important
- public service
- a service made for everyone, not for profit
- broadcaster
- a company that sends out TV or radio shows
- protests
- public actions showing people are angry
- Italiana
- the new channel replacing Rai Scuola
Quiz
Answer key
1. Three acclaimed films for free 2. Because Rai Scuola is closing and being replaced by Italiana 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
RaiPlay, the free streaming platform of Italy's public broadcaster Rai, is giving viewers three _____ films this week at no cost.
At the same time, Rai is facing _____ over another change. Rai Scuola, a channel dedicated to education, is being _____.
It will be replaced by a new channel called _____. The decision has caused strong reactions among viewers and staff.
Many people see Rai Scuola as an important part of public television. They have started _____, asking Rai to reverse its decision.
Critics argue that closing Rai Scuola will damage the _____ mission of Rai. They describe the channel as a _____ of public broadcasting in Italy.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think free films on streaming platforms are popular?
- What role can educational TV channels play in society?
- Why might people start petitions when a service is closed?
- Do you think public broadcasters should keep educational channels? Why or why not?