Roberto Genovesi Provides Outlook on New Rai Kids

Rai Kids hosted a session at Annecy in which Roberto Genovesi, who took over as director of Rai Kids when Luca Milano stepped down in April, shared his vision for the future of the company and a snapshot of its current programming.

“We’ll see a new Rai Kids in early 2026,” Genovesi said. He plans to refine the company’s approach to production and development, strengthen its relationship with other European national broadcasters and open up to new targets, including the 14-plus demographic. “No more vision [based on] a number of channels but a vision [based on a] brand for generations. The only thing I can say: Nothing will be the same.”

“Luca Milano is a friend of mine, but we [have] a very different vision of the children’s world,” he added. “I come from comics and video games. I am a game designer, I am a scriptwriter, and I am a novelist for teens and young adults.” He plans to bring these experiences to Rai Kids to shape the company’s strategy going forward.

In the meantime, Rai Kids has a strong portfolio of original, co-produced and acquired content for Italian children. Currently, 50 Italian productions are in progress, 23 of which are international co-productions.

Among its original titles are Piripenguins, Winx Club: The Magic is Back, Underdog and the Canine Defenders, Eglefino, Anselmo Wannabe and To Be, among others. Works in progress include Floki, Magic Lilly, Melody & Momon, Witch Detectives, Slippers, Lola’s Circus and Pet Pals, plus so much more.

Programs returning with new seasons include Nefertine on the Nile (broadcast as Nefertina sul Nilo); Alice & Lewis; Grisù; Trulli Tales; and Pipo, Pepa & Pop.

Live-action titles that are part of the Rai Kids catalog, typically for an older audience, include Crush and Clan—Choose your Destiny.

The acquisition slate is robust as well, featuring hits such as Bluey, The Smurfs and Winnie the Pooh. Newly acquired are Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter, Tiny Creatures and Billy the Cowboy Hamster.