Group

Our industrial story begins in the early 1900s when Angelo Rizzoli set up a workshop in Milan to engage in typographic activities. A few years later, he acquired a plant for rotogravure printing, thus starting the independent publication of magazines. In the following years, Rizzoli exponentially expanded its areas of activity, acquiring numerous leading publications and entering the book market.

In 1929, Rizzoli was transformed into a joint-stock company. 

In 1952, its shareholders’ meeting resolved to change its corporate name to "Rizzoli Editore S.p.A." and the company opened bookstores in Rome, Milan, and New York.

After the war, Rizzoli strengthened its editorial position by acquiring other publications and entering the movie industry, with the film production company "Cineriz," as well as enhancing its printing facilities, becoming the largest Italian publisher of magazines.

In 1974, Rizzoli acquired the entire share capital of Editoriale Corriere della Sera S.a.s., the publishing company of the "Corriere della Sera" newspaper. Consequently, the Rizzoli shareholders resolved to change its corporate name to "Rizzoli-Corriere della Sera." In 1977, Rizzoli-Corriere della Sera completed the acquisition of N.E.S. S.p.A. (Nuove Edizioni Sportive), publisher of "La Gazzetta dello Sport," becoming the largest Italian publishing group.

In 1986, the Rizzoli-Corriere della Sera shareholders resolved again to change its corporate name to "RCS Editori S.p.A." RCS Editori oversees all activities in the daily and periodical publishing sectors, advertising, and book sector.

In 1990, RCS Editori acquired a stake in Unidad Editorial S.A., the Spanish publishing group, publisher among others, of Spain’s second information daily “El Mundo”.

In March 1997, a the current RCS MediaGroup S.p.A. (then called "Holding di Partecipazioni Industriali S.p.A.", later changed to “HdP S.p.A.”) was formed by way of de-merger and held 100% of the shares of RCS Editori, listing itself on the Stock Exchange.

The Company acquired the French publishing house Flammarion, which was later sold in 2012.

The HdP shareholders resolved to change its corporate name to "Rizzoli Corriere della Sera MediaGroup S.p.A." effective from May 1, 2003, or in abbreviated form "RCS MediaGroup S.p.A." or "RCS S.p.A.". The Company continued its strategy of reorganization and development that led to the formation of the RCS Group, active in the newspaper, magazines, books, new media, digital TV, radio, sports events, advertising sales, and distribution.

RCS’ subsidiary Unidad Editorial completeds the acquisition of the Spanish group Recoletos, which published, among others, the sports daily "MARCA".

In 2013, the company faced a period of economic difficulty, with losses leading to a capital increase, also to address high indebtedness. A redundancy plan was launched, involving the main newspaper of the group, Corriere della Sera, and the divestment plan initiated in previous years continued, including the sale of the historic headquarters in Via Solferino and the entire real estate complex comprising the block between Via Solferino - Via Moscova - Via San Marco - Via Balzan.

In 2015, the group continued with a significant divestment plan. In September, the share in the Finelco Group, owner of radio broadcasters "Radio 105," "Radio Monte Carlo," "Virgin Radio Italia," and "Virgin Radio TV," was sold, and in October, the entire stake held in the book publishing business “Rcs Libri” was transferred to Arnoldo Mondadori Editore. RCS MediaGroup retains ownership of the Rizzoli brand for all uses except for the book activity.

In May 2016, Cairo Communication, a listed company controlled by Urbano Cairo active in the publishing sector, launched a public tender and exchange offer (OPAS) for all RCS shares. On July 15, 2016 Cairo Communication, with 48.8% of the shares tendered to its offer, prevailed over the competing consortium (International Media Holding, led by Andrea Bonomi).

On August 3, 2016, Urbano Cairo assumed the positions of chairman and CEO of RCS MediaGroup, initiating the Group's turnaround.

In 2018, the RCS group returned to the book publishing industry through the publishing house "Solferino," which publishes fiction, essays, poetry, and children's books.

In 2019, the Board of Directors proposed to the shareholders the distribution of a unitary dividend of 0.06 euros per share: the first time in ten years.
RCS Academy is established, the Group’s training school focused on multiple areas of specialization, ranging from journalism to marketing and communication, as well as art, fashion, luxury, design, sports, and more.

At the end of 2021, RCS's net financial position returned to positive (Euro 16.7 million as of December 31, 2021). On June 30, 2016, at the time of Cairo Communication's acquisition of control, the net financial position was negative at Euro 422.4 million.

In July 2022, RCS repurchases the historic headquarters in Via Solferino, designed by architect Beltrami and home to the "Corriere della Sera" since 1904.

In 2023, the publishing house “Fuori Scena” was launched, producing works dedicated to investigative journalism and socially engaged fiction.

In June 2025, Veo7 was launched as a national free-to-air Spanish television channel, primarily dedicated to entertainment, with programming focused on films and television series.