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ITALIAN TRADITIONS

EXPLAINED: Why are Italians angry at streaming platform DAZN?

The latest controversy to affect Italy, eliciting reactions from everyone from football fans to politicians, involves the streaming platform DAZN. Here's what's going on.

Published: 15 August 2022 12:30 CEST
EXPLAINED: Why are Italians angry at streaming platform DAZN?
Inter Milan's Argentinian forward Lautaro Martinez reacts after missing a goal opportunity during the Italian Serie A football match between Lecce and Inter on August 13, 2022. (Photo by Vincenzo PINTO / AFP)

If you want to anger an Italian, one sure way is to take away their football games. This is exactly what happened on Sunday evening when the streaming platform DAZN logged users off just before the Serie A matches.

The bug couldn’t have come at a worse time.

The streaming platform has exclusive rights to the Italian first league, Serie A, and earlier this year announced a €29.99 monthly subscription and stricter rules limiting device access and blocking simultaneous viewing from different locations in an effort to curb “piracy”.

This is the first round of Serie A football matches since the new prices came in on DAZN. The championship is also coming back during the summer holidays when most Italians are home ready to watch their calcio, as Italians call soccer. 

READ ALSO: Italian word of the day: ‘Azzurro’

Many have complained that the new high prices come with a lousy service, with Sunday’s “blackout” only the most recent example. Users were given “emergency links” to log in, but many complained they could still not access the programme.

Politicians join the aggravation

Not only did the hashtag #DAZN go up the list of Italy’s trending topics (and it still holds a premium spot over there), but the dispute became political.

The country’s Democratic Party (PD) said: “tens of thousands of citizens have paid for a service in advance and now suffer with a shameful disservice, in almost all parts of Italy, for the problems with DAZN Italy”.

The party called on Agcom, the regulator and competition authority for the communication industries, and Serie A to intervene.

Politicians from all political spectrums have commented on the issue, including Carlo Calenda, Matteo Salvini (Lega), and Maurizio Gasparri (Forza Italia). Football players such as Daniele de Rossi and other Italian celebrities also complained about the lack of service.

READ ALSO: Home entertainment: a quick guide to video streaming, VPNs and audiobooks

On Sunday evening, the streaming service released a statement, later deleted, recognising the connection issues. “Some users are currently experiencing access issues on our platform. We are working hard to find a solution as soon as possible and apologise for the inconvenience.”, the company said.

What will happen now?

Most of the politicians said they would bring the problems to parliament or Italy’s communication regulator. The main issue is DAZN’s exclusivity rights to Italian football.

The problems will likely influence future decisions on who has the rights to show the games – with broadcaster Sky, which used to have broadcast rights to the matches, looking into getting back on the field.

Of course, nothing is certain yet, and at least for this season, DAZN will continue to transmit games to its subscribers.

One thing seems to be sure, though: If there is one issue that can unite all Italians, it is football.

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PROPERTY

What are the rules for installing air conditioning in your Italian home?

Air conditioning doesn’t come as standard in Italian homes, so if you want it this summer, you may need to install it yourself. Here's what you need to know about the process.

Published: 3 July 2023 17:09 CEST
Updated: 15 July 2023 11:39 CEST
What are the rules for installing air conditioning in your Italian home?

Though some parts of Italy may not have seen sizzling temperatures yet, the country is expected to experience bouts of extreme heat in July and August, and some of you may reasonably be looking to get your houses ready for the incoming caldo.

An air-conditioning system is generally the most effective way to keep your Italian house cool over the hot months, but, aside from being fairly expensive (the price of a single unit including installation costs ranges from 400 to 1,500 euros), AC units are often subject to rules setting out where they can and cannot be installed.

Single-family houses

Things are usually far simpler if you own a single-family house (either detached, semi-detached or terraced) as many of the issues encountered by people living in flats just don’t apply in this case. 

There are no national laws regulating the installation of AC units in single-family houses, but some individual town councils may have rules in place banning the installation of AC systems in some types of property (for instance, houses of artistic or cultural relevance or located in historic city centres).

READ ALSO: Reader question: Are bidets legally required in Italian homes?

As a result of that, it’s advisable that owners of single-family houses always consult with the construction offices (uffici per l’edilizia) of their local town councils (comuni) before starting installation works.

Air conditioner in Italy

Installing an AC system in Italy is generally far easier for owners of single-family houses than it is for flat owners. Photo by Alessandro Zanatta on Unsplash

Flats 

If you’re the owner of a flat, installing an AC system may turn out to be a bit of a headache. 

In fact, not only will you have to ensure that no specific town council ban applies to your building, you will also have to make sure that you abide by your own building regulations over the installation of AC units. 

In some cases, building rules may prevent flat owners from having external AC engines on the building’s facade, but may allow for AC engines placed on the building’s side walls or back wall. 

In other cases, building rules may ask that flat owners paint their external AC engines the same colour as the building. 

READ ALSO: Everything you need to know about having a second home in Italy

All relevant rules over the installation of AC units are generally included in the regolamento condominiale (literally, ‘condominium regulation’), which building administrators are required to store a copy of. 

Flat owners should also be mindful of article 907 of Italy’s Civil Code, which specifies that any type of external construction, including AC engines, should be at least three metres away from the windows or terrace of the floor directly above them to avoid obstructing the view.

Tenants

If you’re renting your home, you’ll have to ask your landlord for permission to install an AC unit. 

If they accept, you’ll be responsible for purchase and installation costs, unless your landlord agrees to pay for them themselves. 

It bears noting that landlords in Italy are under no obligation to accept AC installation requests nor to financially contribute to installation. 

Air conditioner

In Italy, AC units can only be installed by authorised professionals, with home owners flouting the rules facing hefty fines. Photo by Carlos Lindner on Unsplash

Installation: avoid DIY

As of January 2019, the installation of an AC system in any setting (private homes, public offices, hospitality facilities etc.) must be carried out exclusively by authorised professionals holding a FGAS licence and registered with industry regulator CCIAA.

READ ALSO: Nuda proprietà: The Italian property-buying system that can lead to a bargain

Having your AC system installed by non-authorised workers or installing it yourself may result in a fine of up to 10,000 euro. 

Alternatives

If for any reason you’re not able to install an AC system in your home, there are two main alternatives you can consider. 

Free-standing AC units are not as effective as full AC systems but do provide some cooling. They also generally have wheels and can be moved around the house. Prices usually range from 200 to 400 euros. 

The other alternative is an electric fan – either a desk fan or a standing one. These are on sale in almost all electrical retailers and many large supermarkets (although they often sell out in the first days of a heatwave). Prices are generally very affordable in this case.

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