There is a television in which, to gain some share points, it seems to have become indispensable to raise one’s voice, interrupt the guests, fuel controversy and turn any discussion into a clash, and then there is another, apparently less noisy but evidently still much loved, which manages to entertain without continually resorting to provocation. Judging by the preferences of Italians, the future of the small screen could belong precisely to the latter, with Stefano De Martino, Gerry Scotti and Paolo Bonolis protagonists of a ranking that tells much more than a simple popularity contest.
According to a new survey carried out by communicator Filippo Poletti together with Business Intelligence Group, in fact, 64% of Italians believe that the aggressive communication methods used on television, radio and podcasts have a strong influence on people’s behavior in daily life, while 81% recognize moderate and balanced confrontation as a tool capable of improving human relations. This is not a scientific demonstration of the relationship between media violence and social behavior, but the perception of a public that seems to ask for something different than the continuous spectacularization of the conflict.
And perhaps it is no coincidence that, among the contemporary television personalities most appreciated for their capacity for dialogue and moderation, Stefano De Martino takes first place, followed by two professionals who have built their careers on very different languages, but who share the ability to establish a recognizable relationship with the public.
Stefano De Martino beats everyone: the ranking of the most loved hosts
Stefano De Martino was crowned by a further investigation conducted by Espresso Communication in collaboration with the Libreriamo community, from which a ranking emerges that brings together profoundly different generations, television personalities and hosting styles.
The host of Your business takes first place with 79% of the vote, rewarded for his charisma and ability to renew television entertainment without giving up accessible communication, while Gerry Scotti comes immediately behind him with 76%, confirming how much the public continues to appreciate that familiarity that has made him, over the years, one of the most recognizable faces on Italian television.
Completing the podium is Paolo Bonolis, who reaches 68% and demonstrates how moderation does not necessarily have to coincide with a predictable or provocative style, since his irreverent irony, cultured language and surreal comedy represent some of the elements most appreciated by spectators.
Immediately off the podium we find Alberto Angela, fourth with 62%, who continues to represent a dissemination model capable of making even the most complex topics accessible, followed by Carlo Conti, fifth with 59%, and Amadeus, sixth with 53%.
The ranking continues with Maria De Filippi, seventh with 49%, Antonella Clerici, eighth with 45%, Milly Carlucci, ninth with 41%, and Mara Venier, who closes the top ten with 37%, making up a television panorama in which entertainment, dissemination, talent shows and programs built around people’s stories coexist.
From Fabrizio Frizzi to Stefano De Martino: what has changed in Italian television
If contemporary hosts talk about the preferences of today’s viewers, the great protagonists of the past continue to represent an important reference when it comes to education and respect in front of the cameras.
In the survey by Poletti and Business Intelligence Group, Fabrizio Frizzi is indicated by 42% of Italians as the presenter who more than anyone has been able to spread a moderate and respectful communication style, ahead of Corrado, who collects 24% of the preferences, and Raimondo Vianello, stuck at 20%.
Three profoundly different personalities, united however by the ability to conquer the public without necessarily transforming the interlocutors into adversaries, and whose legacy seems to be found, at least in part, in the protagonists of contemporary television.
What makes the research particularly interesting, however, is another piece of data, which directly concerns the new generations and which suggests that the issue cannot be simply dismissed with nostalgia for the television of the past.
43% of under 30s cannot indicate a model of polite communication
The real fracture emerges by observing the responses of young people, who seem to have a significantly different perception of media aggression compared to that of previous generations. If Italians aged between 50 and 59 give the link between aggressive communication and daily behavior an average rating of 8.6 out of 10, among young people aged 18 to 29 the score drops to 6.8, highlighting a significant difference in the way of interpreting the influence of the media.
Even more interesting is the fact that 43% of those under 30 are unable to indicate a model of polite communication, a result that inevitably opens up a reflection on how aggressive languages, which have become familiar through social networks, viral content and television discussions, may have changed the expectations of younger viewers.
This does not mean, however, that Generation Z does not appreciate television capable of entertaining without continually fueling conflict, because Stefano De Martino appears among its favorite characters, together with Alessandro Cattelan, Valerio Lundini and Amadeus.
Millennials, however, recognize Fiorello, Alberto Angela, Paolo Bonolis and Maria De Filippi among their references, while Milly Carlucci, Gerry Scotti, Mara Venier and Carlo Conti emerge among Baby Boomers, demonstrating how television tastes change with age, while retaining some common elements.
Can television really influence the social climate?
The question is raised by Filippo Poletti, journalist, university professor and author of the volume The Perfect Presenterpublished in 2026 by Guerini e Associati, in which it addresses the role of communication professionals and the responsibility of those who address a very large audience on a daily basis.
«Television, radio and the web do not just tell the story of society, but also contribute to shaping the way we relate to others. This is why we must abandon the bait of hatred, from slopaganda to rage bait, and return to communicating with greater balance and moderation”, explains Poletti, drawing attention to the digital mechanisms that transform anger, provocations and poor quality content into tools to capture attention.
The point, therefore, is not to imagine a television without discussions, irony or contrasts, but to question ourselves about the difference between a comparison capable of involving viewers and a show built exclusively on aggression, especially at a time when the boundaries between television language and digital communication are increasingly less defined.
«The public continues to reward television capable of entertaining without sacrificing relationship and respect», concludes Poletti, underlining how the most appreciated hosts above all share the ability to build an authentic relationship with those who watch them.
And while television continues to look for new formulas to gain ratings and attention, the ranking suggests at least one thing: to be listened to by millions of Italians it is not always necessary to be the one who shouts the loudest.
