Originally, Italian language programming direct from Italy was provided on MCTV for 2 hours every weekday afternoon during the week and 5 hours on Sunday mornings.  This service began with our historic initial cablecast in May of 2001 and continued for the next 10 years. Produced by RAI International, a public broadcasting service of the Italian government, and distributed by RAI Corporation in the U.S., RAI Italia was a 17-hour weekly package of Italian television programs which promoted RAI International worldwide TV programming in North America. Unfortunately, beginning May 21, 2011, the Italian government, facing extensive austerity measures due to the continuing Eurozone crisis, will no longer be underwriting the C-band satellite broadcast of this free channel in North America.  This has resulted in the involuntary termination of MCTV's subscription to this service and the nullification of our prior contractual agreement with RAI Corp. From now on, the only access to this fine Italian language programming in Arizona will require individual household subscription via the Dish Network or other commercial cable television or satellite systems. For additional information, follow this link to the RAI Corp web site, or for a larger view of the RAI International Network, follow this link to the RAI International home page (in English) for North America.