Sanremo 2024: Streaming Surge, Industry Shifts and the Festival's Role in Italian Music

Sanremo 2024 unfolded as more than a week of televised performances: it became a focal point for discussions about how Italy’s music industry adapts to the streaming era. Broadcasters reported elevated cross-platform engagement, with younger viewers migrating from linear TV to social and on-demand channels. That shift forced producers and record labels to rethink release strategies, playlist placements and promotional windows tied to the festival. The festival continued to serve as Italy’s de facto showcase for Eurovision, keeping international visibility high and prompting debate about language choice, genre diversity and how Sanremo should balance mainstream appeal with artistic experimentation. Industry voices and critics debated whether the festival’s format adequately promotes songwriting and long-term careers for newer artists, or primarily amplifies short-term chart gains driven by streaming algorithms. On the organizational side, Sanremo’s 2024 run prompted renewed scrutiny of voting systems and jury transparency, with calls from artists and media for clearer rules and stronger safeguards against confusion during televote and jury tallies. At the same time, local authorities and businesses highlighted the festival’s sizable economic boost for the Ligurian Riviera — from hotel bookings to hospitality revenues — while also exploring sustainability measures to manage the surge in visitors. Looking ahead, stakeholders across broadcasting, labels and municipal government signaled interest in preserving Sanremo’s cultural prestige while modernizing its infrastructure to reflect changing consumption habits. The prevailing industry mood is pragmatic: capitalize on Sanremo’s unmatched platform to launch new talent, but adapt promotion and measurement tools so that artistic success translates into durable careers in a streaming-first market.