Television In Malta Information
Television in Malta was first introduced in 1962. There are 5 major nationwide television channels in Malta: TVM, One Television, NET Television, Smash Television and Favourite Channel - currently transmitted by analogue terrestrial, free-to-air signals. The state and political parties subsidies most of the fundings of these television stations. The Public Broadcasting Services is the state-owned station and is a member of the EBU. Media Link Communications Ltd and One Productions Ltd are affiliated with the Nationalist Party and Labour Party respectively. Smash Communications Ltd is privately owned. The Broadcasting Authority supervises all local broadcasting stations and ensures their compliance with legal and licence obligations as well as the preservation of due impartiality; in respect of matters of political or industrial controversy or relating to current public policy; while fairly apportioning broadcasting facilities and time between persons belong to different political parties. The Broadcasting Authority ensures that local broadcasting services consist of public, private and community broadcasts that offer varied and comprehensive programming to cater for all interests and tastes.
The only commercial TV station attracts an audience of 2%. Cable, terrestrial and satellite reception are all available, though the cable service is the most diffused, with Melita Cable. Cable subscriptions reached almost 124,000 in February 2006 reaching about 80% of Maltese households, and a small but increasing number of households are owning satellite dishes to receive other European TV networks such as the BBC from the United Kingdom and RAI from Italy.
Digital
Two commercial licences were awarded in Malta in 2005 to Multiplus Ltd and Maltacom (now GO). On July 2005, Multiplus Ltd started commercial operations in direct competition to the existing dominant cable operator utilising a total of 8 frequencies. Multiplus Ltd was acquired by GO in February 2007, the latter still operating the Multiplus DTTV service under the same name.
See also
List of television stations in Malta
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Categories: Television in Malta
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