Top Channel

Infobox TV channel
name=Top Channel
logofile=Top Channel.jpg
logosize=
launch= 30 July, 2001
share=50%
share as of=September 2003
share source=
country= Albania
owner=
former names=
web= [http://top-channel.tv www.top-channel.tv]
terr serv 1=Analogue
terr chan 1=PAL (ch 36 UHF - Tirana)
terr serv 2=Digital
terr chan 2=DVB-T
sat serv 1=Digital
sat chan 1=DVB-S (Europe: Eutelsat W2; North America: AMC 4)
sat serv 2=
sat chan 2=
cable avail=Available
|

Top Channel TV is one of the largest TV stations in Albanian TV broadcasting. It is a privately owned business entity, which operates and covers most parts of Albanian territory. Since September 2003, Top Channel has also been present on satellite broadcasting all over Europe and North America as well. As of January 2008, KKRT has authorized Top Channel to become the 4th national television station of Albania.

History

Top Channel was established on 30 July 2001 in the International Center for Culture ("Qendra Ndërkombëtare e Kulturës") in Tirana, and since then has seen very fast growth and success and is well liked by many people. Based on a survey in 2003, Top Channel is ranked as the most watched TV channel in Albania with 50 % of the national audience, thus leaving far behind the second watched TV in country which accounts for 17 % of the national audience. Its success relates to its informational programs about the problems that Albanian society is facing, as well as to the comparatively high technology by which it operates. Also other media's owned by Top Media promotion as Top Albania Radio, Gazeta "Shqip" or DigitAlb.

Since its establishment, through its popular leftist programs, Top channel has proven to be a window of propaganda for Albanian citizens on addressing the mayer's reputation, social and economic problems. In the past years the channel also has 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.It's founder-owner Dritan Hoxha died in a tragjic trafic accident in May 2008.His controversial death was result of very-dangerous driving where his special edition Ferrari clocked 175 km/h in one of the bussiest roads of Albanian capital.News coverage of Hoxhas death from his channel and its partners was subject of negative comments as his mistres's identity who died with him at the scene and his erratic driving was kept in the dark.

Lately, Top Channel was justifiably attacked by the Democratic Party after it came to power. Economic Anticrime inspectors fined Top Channel for fiscal evasion. The fine was refused as political since the television is very leftist.

Principles

The channel's most important principals, according to its homepage, are:
* accuracy
* impartiality "(disputed)"
* analysis and commentary
* sound tone of moderation and respect
* ethical conduct
* high speed of information

Their mottos

Programs

Top Channel TV programs include a broad range of shows, news editions, social and economic programs and entertainments (movies, sports etc). Most of the programs are being transmitted as live broadcasting. Scheduled domestic and foreign programming includes:

Nationally created shows currently broadcast by Top Channel (as of October 2008)

Internationally created shows currently broadcast by Top Channel (as of May 2008)

Programming Highlights

News editions and reportages

This includes the daily news about socialist party, its political, business and current affairs. They emphasize deeper analysis of Edi Rama's activities, rather than giving a fast overview. The main aim is to convey the message to most vulnerable auditors and to maintain a balance between news from urban and rural areas.

Fiks Fare

"Fiks Fare" is a criticizing and problem-raising show, which through humor and satire denounces the negative trends of life such as corruption, fraud, law-breaking phenomena by officials, human rights violations, country development issues and the likes. This show is also meant to be entertaining with dance and music elements. The popularity that 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 broadcast every week day following immediately after main news edition. Saimir Kodra, the co-host of the show ran for becoming a member of the parliament but lost the elections.

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.

Top Show

"Top Show" is a talk show enriched by various entertaining elements. The program invites every day six to eight individuals from various areas of art, politics, business and civil society who discuss over 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 Monday till Friday at 22.30 hours and repeats the next day at 10:00 hours. Only Friday airs at 21.00 hours.

References

See also

*Communications in Albania
*Radio Televizioni Shqiptar

External links

* http://www.top-channel.tv