The experience at Mediaset by Myrta Merlinoa long-time and highly experienced journalist called upon last summer to fill the afternoon gap left by Barbara D’Urso, wasn’t the happiest. His Afternoon 5, an infotainment container which he took over in September, suffered greatly from the (negative) declines in ratings and viewers’ nostalgia for its historic presenter. Between ups and downs, a few months after the end of this season, there is persistent talk of a replacement for Merlino: according to Dagospia Pier Silvio Berlusconi would be willing to review the management after the unsatisfactory share of the last few weeks, marked by overwhelming victories of Alberto Matano it’s from Life live on Rai Uno. Among the eligible names is that of Cesare Bonamiciformer face of Tg5 and commentator on Big Brother e Veronica Gentilitoday at One.
In Berlusconi’s plans, Afternoon 5 it had to become a bastion of its new editorial line more oriented towards culture, news and current affairs rather than entertainment. But the Mediaset’s welcome to Barbara D’Ursowho recently returned to talk about the issue a Sunday In with Mara Venier, had left a bad taste in the mouths of the Neapolitan presenter’s loyalists, who were determined not to become attached to any substitute, even one of great value like Merlino. And therefore, also thanks to this stance, the program did not take off and, in fact, lost important share points compared to previous seasons, almost 1.3%. The comparison with the ratings of the lucky one Life live, hosted by one of Rai’s leading faces, makes the scenario even more complex. And so, waiting to discover the new schedules for the 2024-2025 season which will be presented as per tradition before the summer holidays, Myrta Merlino has no choice but to continue going on stage live every day with this sword of Damocles hanging over her head and two possible colleagues already ready – it seems – to replace her. Not an easy mission.
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