Rai

Rai is a term with multiple uses in media and music. It most commonly refers to Radiotelevisione Italiana, the Italian public broadcasting company, or to Raï, a form of popular music from North Africa. The meaning may vary depending on context.

Rai (Radiotelevisione Italiana) is Italy's national public service broadcaster. It operates television channels including Rai 1, Rai 2, and Rai 3, as well as radio networks such as Rai Radio 1, Radio 2, and Radio 3, with regional and digital services. The organization is a state-owned company overseen by a governance board and a supervisory commission. It is a member of the European Broadcasting Union and is funded primarily through a combination of license fees and public funding. Rai provides news, entertainment, and cultural programming and also produces international co-productions and online services.

Raï is a music genre that originated in Oran, Algeria, in the early 20th century and matured in the 1960s and 1970s. It blends traditional Algerian chaabi and folk music with Arabic, French, and Mediterranean influences. Raï songs typically address love, social issues, and political concerns, and the style has evolved through techno and pop fusions. Notable artists include Cheb Khaled, Cheb Mami, and Faudel, among others. Raï gained international popularity in the 1980s and 1990s and has influenced artists worldwide.

Beyond these uses, Rai is also a surname and given name in various cultures, and may appear in different places as part of personal names or toponymy.