Top Channel
Coordinates: 41°19′23.28″N 19°49′18.94″E / 41.3231333°N 19.8219278°E
| Top Channel | |
|---|---|
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| Top Channel logo | |
| Launched | 1 September 2002 |
| Network | DigitAlb |
| Owned by | Top Media |
| Picture format | 576i (SDTV 4:3) 1080i (HDTV 16:9) |
| Country | Albania |
| Language | Albanian |
| Affiliates | Television, Radio & Online |
| Headquarters | Tirana, Albania |
| Sister channel(s) | Top News |
| Website | www.top-channel.tv |
| Availability | |
| Satellite | |
| Eutelsat W3C (16E) | |
Top Channel is a national commercial television station from Tirana, Albania founded in 2001 by former media mogul Dritan Hoxha and is part of Top Media Group. The channel holds itself of being at the edge of technological innovation. In fact, it was the first Albanian channel to become available in 16:9 Widescreen High Definition Television. Since September 2003, Top Channel has been present on satellite by broadcasting all over Europe through DigitAlb, and North America through Home2US. The channel is available through IPTV in Europe and North America, and through local cable in Switzerland. In January 2008, Top Channel was awarded national frequency coverage by making it the fourth such a channel in Albania. Top Channel forms part of Top Media Group together with Top Albania Radio, Top Gold Radio, daily newspaper Shqip, part of pay TV platform DigitAlb, Top News, VGA Studio, My Music Radio, musicAL, and Imperial Cinemas.
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[edit] History
Top Channel began experimental broadcasts on 30 July 2001 at the International Center for Culture (Qendra Ndërkombëtare e Kulturës) also known as "the Pyramid or former Mausoleum of Enver Hoxha" in Tirana (shortly called "Piramida"). Since then it has seen a very fast growth and success as it has become preferable by a growing number of people through the qualitative level of broadcasting technology and programs.
As of 2006, it was believed that Top Channel held an average viewing rate of 70%, though these are based on approximate evaluations and not officially confirmed. In 2003, an survey ranked Top Channel as the most watched TV channel in Albania with 50% of the national audience, thus leaving far behind the second watched TV which accounted only for 17 %. One year earlier, it was ranked in third place with 11.9% behind the public broadcaster TVSH. Its success relates to its informational programs about the problems that Albanian society faces, as well as to the comparatively high technology by which it broadcasts.
In the past years it has also sought partnership with international development agencies such as UNDP, UNICEF, IOM, OSCE, USAID, Albanian and French Red Cross, and many others, and sustains partnership with international private companies such as Vodafone. In addition, Top Channel has seen growing partnership with international news agencies such as Reuters in exchanging news coverage.
Top Channel together with Top Albania Radio and Top Gold Radio were formed by former media mogul and Lori Caffe owner Dritan Hoxha, who was later killed in a car accident in downtown Tirana while driving his Ferrari. His wife, Vjollca Hoxha has taken over the business since 2008.
[edit] Principles
The channel's most important guiding principles:
- accuracy
- impartiality (disputed)
- analysis and commentary
- sound tone of moderation and respect (disputed)
- ethical conduct (disputed)
- high speed of information
Their motto is : Lajmi më parë kalon tek ne (The news, first passes through us).
[edit] Programmes
Top Channel's programmes include a broad range of mostly pre-recorded shows, news editions, social and economic programs and entertainments (movies, sports etc). Scheduled domestic and foreign programming include:
[edit] High-Definition Programs
| Original name | Format |
|---|---|
| Portokalli | Sitcom |
| Big Brother Albania | Reality-Show |
| E Diell | Sunday show |
| 100 milionë - The money drop | Quiz Show |
| Top Fest | Albanian Modern Music Festival |
| The Voice of Albania | Singing competition |
| 1001 Pse | Kids Show |
[edit] Nationally created shows currently broadcast by Top Channel (as of February 2011)
| Original name | Format |
|---|---|
| Fiks Fare | |
| Exclusive | inquiry program |
| Shqip | current affairs |
| E Diell | Sunday show |
| Pasdite ne Top Channel | talk show |
| Top Show | talk show |
| Portokalli | stand-up comedy |
| Deja Vu | talk show |
| Top Story | political magazine |
| Newsroom | weekly news magazine |
| Wake up | morning show |
| Select | youth magazine |
| Procesi Sportiv | sports magazine |
| Big Brother Albania | reality show |
| POP CHANNEL | News-satire show http://www.top-channel.tv/programs.php?id=9 |
| Albanians Got Talent | talent show |
| Albania's Next Top Model | reality show |
| 100 milionë - The money drop | game show |
| The voice of Albania | talent show |
| 1001 Pse | kids show |
[edit] Internationally created shows currently broadcast by Top Channel (as of May 2008)
| Original name | Albanian translation | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Smallville | Smallville | United States |
| The Sopranos | Sopranot | |
| Friends | Friends | |
| 24 | 24 Orë | |
| Lost | Të humbur | |
| Desperate Housewives | Shtëpiake të dëshpëruara | |
| El Rostro de Analia | Fytyra e Analias | |
| Ghosts | Fantazmat | |
| SpongeBob SquarePants | SpongeBob SquarePants | |
| Centovetrine | 100 Vitrinat | Italy |
| Squadra Antimafia-Palermo oggi 1 | Skuadra antimafia-Palermo sot 1 | |
| Attacco Allo Stato | Shënjestër Politike | |
| Paraiso Tropical | Parajsë tropikale | Brazil |
| Footballers' Wives | Gratë e Futbollistëve | United Kingdom |
[edit] Programming Highlights
[edit] News bulletins and reports
These include mainly daily news about the political, economical, cultural, and social environment in Albania. The programs also provide information regarding the main events occurring in every part of the world.
[edit] Fiks Fare
Fiks Fare is a criticizing and problem-raising show, which through humor and satire denounces the negative aspects of life such as corruption, fraud, law-breaking by high rank officials, human rights violations, country development issues and many other like problems. The popularity of this program and its simple language in addressing problematic issues of Albanian society has proven to be a significant mean of raising awareness and many times leading to solution of most evident drawbacks of the ongoing transition of the country. This program is broadcasted every day of the week immediately after the main news edition. Saimir Kodra, the co-host of the show ran for becoming a member of the parliament but lost the elections.
[edit] Shqip
Shqip is the flagship program shown on Top Channel TV on Mondays. The one hour live interview is the result of detailed research and investigations. The program host asks the difficult questions and gets behind the stories that make the news in the country - from political leaders to intellectuals and decision-makers facing huge challenges. Shqip reports the events and interviews on politics development, security and social issues. According to a survey conducted in 2003 by the International Research & Exchanges Board, Shqip was ranked as the most watched TV program of the same kind and thus gained some of the highest peak audience in the country.
[edit] Top Show
Top Show is a talk show enriched by various entertaining elements. Every day the program invites six to eight individuals from various areas of art, politics, business and civil society who discuss the hottest topics concerning the Albanian society. The forum of discussion touches sensitive subjects such as poverty, prostitution, corruption, family life, emigration, male domination and other events in sports and music. Diversity of opinions and debate between different individuals invited gives the show a specific point of view. The involvement of public in discussions is well thought by organizers who pay attention to keep the conversation flow focused on the subject. Top Show airs every night from Tuesday till Thursday at 23.00 hours.
[edit] Portokalli
Portokalli is a weekly night sketch comedy and variety show filmed in Tirana in front of a live audience. The format of the show includes stand-up comedy, sketch comedy, and live music making the show similar to the "NBC" show "Saturday Night Live". Portokalli is known to make fun of everyday problems through humor and satire. It also makes fun of political figures such as Sali Berisha, Edi Rama, Hashim Thaçi, Ramush Haradinaj and others. Portokalli reaches an audience of many ages through young and old, and has been criticized over the vulgar language often used.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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