Rai 2

Rai 2
CountryItaly
Broadcast areaItaly
HeadquartersRome, Italy
Programming
Language(s)Italian
Picture format1080i HDTV
(downscaled to 16:9 576i for the SDTV feed)
Ownership
OwnerRAI
Sister channelsRai 1
Rai 3
Rai 4
Rai 5
Rai Gulp
Rai Movie
Rai News 24
Rai Premium
Rai Scuola
Rai Sport
Rai Storia
Rai Yoyo
Rai Ladinia
Rai Südtirol
Rai Italia
History
Launched4 November 1961 (1961-11-04)
Former namesSecondo Programma (1961–1975)
Rete 2 (1975–1983)
Rai Due (1983–2010)
Links
Websiterai.it/rai2
Availability
Terrestrial
Digital terrestrial televisionChannel 2 (HD)
Channel 502 (SD)
Streaming media
RaiPlayLive Streaming

Rai 2 is an Italian free-to-air television channel owned and operated by state-owned public broadcaster RAI – Radiotelevisione italiana. It is the company's second television channel, and is known for broadcasting TG2 news bulletins, talk shows, reality television, drama series, sitcoms, cartoons and infotainment. In the 1980s it was known for its political affiliation to the Italian Socialist Party, it has shifted recently its focus towards the youth, including in its schedule reality shows, entertainment, TV series, news, knowledge and sports.

The second television channel in Italy, it was launched on 4 November 1961, seven years after RAI's first channel was launched on 3 January 1954. The channel was initially referred to as "Secondo Programma". It received other names, such as "Rete 2" and "Rai Due" until it adopted its current name "Rai 2". Its direct competitor to Mediaset's Italia 1. It is also a state-owned channel like Rai 1.