The Jackal to Host the Sanremo Primafestival in 2027

The group The Jackal has been confirmed as the host of the Primafestival of Sanremo, the daily segment that precedes the festival's evening shows and will air from February 16 to 20, 2027. The official confirmation came via a video shown on Tg1 delle 20, with the group members Ciro Priello, Aurora Leone, Fabio Balsamo, and Gianluca “Fru” Colucci, according to ANSA.

The Jackal and the Primafestival: the announcement and format (The Jackal, Primafestival)

The announcement was made in a video on the RAI newscast: the four group members appeared via videoconference and confirmed that they will host the Primafestival, the daily program that airs right after Tg1 and prepares the audience for the five nights of the Sanremo Festival 2027. The Primafestival serves as a space for analysis, interviews, and commentary on the songs and artists present at the Sanremo Festival, which this year is scheduled for February 16–20, 2027, according to ANSA.

Context: relationship with Stefano De Martino and past experiences (Sanremo 2027, Stefano De Martino, Italian TV)

In the video, the festival's artistic director and host, Stefano De Martino, participated and joked that he chose them because they are Neapolitan. De Martino and The Jackal maintain a solid professional relationship: members of the group have previously appeared individually at editions of the festival. As reported by ANSA:

• Ciro Priello previously hosted PrimaFestival in 2022;
• Gianluca “Fru” Colucci took the stage at Ariston in 2025;
• Aurora Leone co-hosted Dopofestival in the most recent edition.

The collective also established on social media a distinctive format for live commentary on Sanremo — described by the press as an ironic “sofa commentary” — which has become a cult presence among younger viewers and festival followers. This history of appearances and digital formats contributed to the group’s selection for the 2027 edition.

What Primafestival is and why it matters (Primafestival, Sanremo 2027)

The Primafestival is the morning/afternoon slot that precedes the competitive evenings of the Sanremo Festival and plays an important role in Rai’s television schedule during the event: it provides context about participants, debates about songs and videos, and interviews with artists and guests. Hosting Primafestival typically influences the tone of conversations on social media and in the press, especially among audiences following the music scene and Italian TV programming.

For Brazilian readers and Italian descendants, Sanremo remains relevant beyond music: it is a key event in Italian culture and television, often covered internationally and by migrant communities who follow programming via European broadcasters, streaming platforms, or agency reports such as ANSA. The presence of The Jackal, a group with a strong digital footprint and appeal to younger audiences, could alter the reception of Primafestival and drive more traffic to online platforms.

Reception and expectations (Italian TV, The Jackal)

The appointment of The Jackal to Primafestival comes in the wake of a phenomenon of hybridity between the internet and television: content creators who gain space on traditional channels while also drawing audiences from digital platforms. Italian coverage sources cited by ANSA describe the choice as Rai’s attempt to modernize the festival’s language and attract younger viewers without losing the event’s institutional character.

The video confirmation on Tg1 also signals the intention to integrate festival promotion with Rai’s main news outlets, boosting Primafestival visibility for viewers who follow the primary news windows.

What to watch for between now and February 2027

In the coming weeks, the full list of Sanremo Festival 2027 participants is expected to be released, as well as the detailed schedule for Primafestival and Dopofestival. Readers interested in staying updated on television programming and the festival can follow Italian media coverage and specialized sections of news about Italy.

For more content on Italian culture, life, and current events, check the Raízes Italianas sections: Notícias da Itália and Vida na Itália. If your interest lies in citizenship, also see Cidadania Italiana.

Source: ANSA