The Excluded Sample

The Italian Documentary Core: the Excluded Sample

CeRTA’s research sample only considers original documentaries that were broadcast as first runs by networks and OTT platforms during the season and were titled as distinct shows within the programming or catalogues.

The following DO NOT fall under the monitoring, due to the impossibility of their systematic indexing or their different primary destination:

Docs within other unscripted titles
Documentaries that are fully or partially included in infotainment or container shows.
These documentaries are excluded because their titles are not listed within schedules and catalogues, making it impossible to isolate their boundaries and their broadcast methods.
Examples of titles that integrate docs: Passaggio a Nord Ovest (Rai1), Ulisse (Rai1), Geo (Rai3), Kilimangiaro (Rai3), Sapiens–Un solo pianeta (Rai3), Il fattore umano (Rai3), Art Night (Rai5), 5000 anni e più (RaiStoria), La torre di Babele (La7).

Docs for movie theaters
Documentaries that have movie theaters as their primary destination
These documentaries are excluded from subsequent analysis because they were not aired in first run on a linear network or an OTT service

Number of Italian titles distributed in theaters from 1/9/2024 to 31/5/2025: 178 (+59% vs 2023/2024)
Box office: 3,725,845 (vs 5,594,864 vs 2023/2024)

Top 3 highest grossing (1/9/2024-31/5/2025)
– Inter, two stars on the heart (Nexo Digital): € 1,101,380
– Pino Daniele – Nero a Metà (Eagle Pictures): € 617,502
– Atalanta. A life as a goddess (Nexo Digital): € 297,843

Source: Cinetel