Sanremo 2019: how much does it cost? Here are all the figures from the festival

The curtain is about to open 69th edition of the Sanremo Festival, one of the most awaited annual appointments on the television schedule. As in 2018, the festival will be hosted by Claudio Baglioni, whose speeches (such as the one relating to migrants) have already caused quite a stir. But you know, there is no Sanremo without controversy, which has now become an integral part of the Italian tradition, as much and perhaps more than the criticisms (and appreciations) of the songs and musicians in the competition and, obviously, of the clothes sported by those who will take the stage of the Ariston.

Like every year, however, the controversies also involve the costs of the most famous music festival in the country. Custom has it that despite the cuts imposed in recent years, spending is always too high for non-experts. To rekindle the fuse, the numbers relating to the fees of presenters and super guests have arrived, who will bring home checks for several zeros to participate in Sanremo 2019.

So it's worth doing “the accounts in your pocket at the Festival”.

SANREMO 2019: FEES OF TENANTS AND GUESTS

According to what reported by Corriere della Sera, to conduct the Sanremo Festival 2019, Claudio Baglioni will receive a "salary" of 700 thousand euros, 100 thousand more than last season, when the singer-host collected 600 thousand euros. At the basis of the increase, the great success obtained last year, when, among other things, Michelle Hunziker and Pierfrancesco Favino were called to support Baglioni who collected 400 thousand and 300 thousand euros respectively.

According to the first rumors, there would also already be pre-contracts Claudio Bisio and Virginia Raffaele, although the figures would not yet be definitive. The first should receive 250 thousand euros, the second 150 thousand. Too? According to the new Rai leaders appointed by the Lega-M5S government, perhaps yes. The fear is that, after the ferocious attacks of the past years, public opinion does not "take well" such figures and there are those who are already talking about revising downwards the fees foreseen for the two comedians.

Singers chapter: there are no official numbers yet, but if last year's numbers are confirmed, the big names in the race will be able to count on an "expense reimbursement" of around 40 euros each.

SANREMO 2019, ALL OTHER FIGURES: EXPENSES AND REVENUES

Obviously the fees of conductors, singers and guests are not the only expenditure items of the Festival. According to what was announced by the director of Rai1, Teresa De Santis, in the press conference to present Sanremo 2019, the total cost of the festival will be around 17 million of Euro. 12 million will be used to cover production and cast costs, the other 5 million will instead be used to pay for the usual agreement with the Municipality of Sanremo.

Let's move on to the revenue chapter. Those who have so far remained speechless in the face of the figures unveiled will console themselves knowing that, also for this year, the Sanremo Festival will close in profit of 9 million euros. Or at least these are the predictions. Against expenses of 17 million, the proceeds should be around 26 million euros. The lion's share will be advertising, which will bring revenues of 25 million euros. The remaining million will come from ticket sales, use of the brand and televoting. The balance will therefore be largely positive.

Compared to past editions, progress continues from the point of view of "rationalization" - Suffice it to say that, in the three-year period 2009-2012, and therefore before the "care" imposed from above, Rai spent more than 20 million euros to collect just over half of it, losing a total of about 30 million euros.