Berlusconi wants to keep all thre television stations

The station's future had been thrown into doubt by the refusal of Italy's president to sign a new media law.

The decree allows the channel to remain as a terrestrial service, rather than undergoing an enforced and possibly fatal switch to satellite.

The station, Rete 4, is one of three owned by Berlusconi's Mediaset group.

It has fallen foul of a court ruling aimed at ensuring wide ownership of media services and preventing monopolies.

Critics said the proposed media law would have allowed Mr Berlusconi to strengthen his grip on Italy's media.

In an unusual move President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi ordered it to be reconsidered by parliament.

If parliament passes it unchanged for a second time, the president would be obliged to sign it into law.

Bill's provisions

The bill contains a number of different provisions, including the creation of multi-channel digital broadcasting.

It also lifts the ban on cross-ownership of broadcast and print media in 2009 and increases the amount of advertising that one single company can have.

Crucially for Mr Berlusconi, the bill removes a previous restriction on one person owning more than two national broadcasting stations.

Mr Berlusconi is Italy's richest man, and as well as his three Mediaset channels - Rete 4, Italia 1, and Canale 5 - he holds political influence at the board of state broadcaster Rai.