Amadeus: Staying or Leaving? Rai's High Stakes Negotiation

Amadeus goes, Amadeus stays. There's no peace at Rai, among confirmations and denials about the current issue: the move to Nove, that is, to Discovery, of the public network's leading host, the man of the record-breaking Sanremo (five in a row) and prime time shows that glue millions of Italians to the television. Is the negotiation ongoing? Or is it even at its final chapters, with "Ama" already decided to pack up? The negotiation The rumors bounce back, the behind-the-scenes press thickens the plot. Let's proceed in order. The negotiation, it seems now indisputable, is there. And if Rai felt the need to officially deny certain behind-the-scenes stories released in the newspapers regarding the "fatigue" of the star host of "Soliti Ignoti", the irritation for the alleged pressures suffered from the right-wing government, it means that the case is very closely monitored by the executives of viale Mazzini. In fact, explains a reconstruction by Il Sole 24 Ore, a counter-offer would have already been laid on the table by Rai's General Director Giampaolo Rossi and CEO Roberto Sergio to keep Ama in public television. How much? The figures are not yet circulating and moreover, there are no confirmations from Rai. However, the financial newspaper always reports, it would be an offer that has no precedent in the long history of Rai. Lasting at least four years. Rai's Counter-Offers A last ace dropped by the Rai management to avert a scenario that worries the television as well as political executives. Not least because the Ama-exit, assuming it really happens (and the wicked Fiorello from his "morning kiosk" joked about his friend: "Amadeus goes to nine! Official!"), would be added to an already crowded list of well-known names who have left in the last year and a half, from Lucia Annunziata to the sensational goodbye of Fabio Fazio, who landed at Nove where Maurizio Crozza had already paved the way years ago. It's a now well-tested strategy. "We take away one big one a year," the competition's executives malign. So, it's negotiation. Tomorrow's date needs to be circled in red when there could be a final clarifying meeting between Rossi and Amadeus. In the meantime, the host neither confirms nor denies. He goes on working as if nothing happened: he has recorded the new episodes of Affari Tuoi, he has confirmed the appointment in early May at "Una nessuna centomila - In Arena". The Timings However, the clock is ticking. Formally, "Ama's" contract expires next August 30. But it seems difficult, with the situation at a standstill, that the negotiation could extend into the late summer. The TV market window, so to speak, will close earlier. In the offer, if you listen to the corridor rumors, would include a leading role for the host, ready to wear the clothes of the head of all entertainment at Nove. But also to move there a successful program like I Soliti Ignoti, managed by Endemol-Banijay, an external production.