RAI apologizes for cutting Shakira performance

There was an interruption in the live broadcast by RAI of the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup during Shakira's performance in order to switch coverage to the news program TG1.

The broadcaster later explained that the issue was caused by “an error in managing the final timing” and expressed regret to viewers after numerous complaints on social media, CE Report quotes ANSA.

“In relation to the interruption of the World Cup opening ceremony, Rai clarifies that it acted in full compliance with the editorial and technical guidelines established by FIFA for the management of the event,” the company said in a statement.

“The live broadcast schedule was governed by a strict timetable, agreed upon with the international organization, which required mandatory transitions between different segments of the transmission. The interruption, one minute before the end of Shakira’s musical performance, was the result of an operational decision linked to respecting the schedule and switching to TG1.”

Rai added that the incident “was an error in managing the final timing, for which Rai expresses regret to the audience.”

The broadcaster emphasized that all other phases of the event coverage were carried out in accordance with the instructions received and the editorial standards of public service broadcasting.

“The company reaffirms its commitment to ensuring increasingly careful and timely coverage of major international events,” the statement concluded.

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