Top Channel
Encyclopedia
Top Channel is a commercial television station with national frequency coverage in Tirana
, Albania
founded by media mogul Dritan Hoxha
, and part of Top Media Group. Since September 2003, Top Channel became present on satellite 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 a national frequency coverage license, making it the fourth such a channel in Albania. The channel holds itself as being at the edge of technological innovation. It is available in 16:9 Widescreen "High Definition
" Television. One of Full HD programs is Portokalli
.
As of 2006, it is believed that Top Channel held an average viewing rate of 70%, though these are based on approximate evaluations of various experts and not officially confirmed. Based on a survey
in 2003, Top Channel was ranked 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 %. In an earlier survey (2002) it has been ranked in third place with 11.9%, right behind the public broadcaster TVSH. 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 outlets making up Top Media include Top Albania Radio, Top Gold Radio, the daily newspaper Shqip, and part of the pay TV platform DigitAlb.
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.
Vjollca Hoxha, wife of Dritan Hoxha, has taken over the business since 2008.
Their motto
is : Lajmi më parë kalon tek ne (The news, at first passes through us).
, news
editions, social and economic programs and entertainments (movies, sports etc.). Most of the programs are pre-recorded. Scheduled domestic and foreign programming include:
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.
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.
, 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.
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.
Tirana
Tirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. Modern Tirana was founded as an Ottoman town in 1614 by Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler from Mullet, although the area has been continuously inhabited since antiquity. Tirana became Albania's capital city in 1920 and has a population of over...
, Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
founded by media mogul Dritan Hoxha
Dritan Hoxha
Dritan Hoxha, who was born in Kukes, Albania, on 20 September 1968, will be remembered maybe as the most prominent character of the Albanian media of the post-communist era....
, and part of Top Media Group. Since September 2003, Top Channel became present on satellite broadcasting all over Europe through DigitAlb, and North America through Home2US
Home2US
Home2US Communications, Inc. is an open pay TV DBS platform. They offer broadcasting services on the SES-1 satellite for ethnic viewers in the United States.-History:...
. The channel is available through IPTV
IPTV
Internet Protocol television is a system through which television services are delivered using the Internet protocol suite over a packet-switched network such as the Internet, instead of being delivered through traditional terrestrial, satellite signal, and cable television formats.IPTV services...
in Europe and North America, and through local cable in Switzerland. In January 2008, Top Channel was awarded a national frequency coverage license, making it the fourth such a channel in Albania. The channel holds itself as being at the edge of technological innovation. It is available in 16:9 Widescreen "High Definition
High-definition television
High-definition television is video that has resolution substantially higher than that of traditional television systems . HDTV has one or two million pixels per frame, roughly five times that of SD...
" Television. One of Full HD programs is Portokalli
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...
.
History
Top Channel began experimental broadcasts on 30 July 2001 in the International Center for Culture (Qendra Ndërkombëtare e Kulturës), also known as the Pyramid or former Mausoleum of Enver Hoxha along Rruga Papa Gjon Pali II. Since then it has seen a very fast growth and success as it has become preferable by a growing number of people.As of 2006, it is believed that Top Channel held an average viewing rate of 70%, though these are based on approximate evaluations of various experts and not officially confirmed. Based on a survey
Opinion poll
An opinion poll, sometimes simply referred to as a poll is a survey of public opinion from a particular sample. Opinion polls are usually designed to represent the opinions of a population by conducting a series of questions and then extrapolating generalities in ratio or within confidence...
in 2003, Top Channel was ranked as the most watched TV channel in Albania with 50 % of the national audience
Audience
An audience is a group of people who participate in a show or encounter a work of art, literature , theatre, music or academics in any medium...
, thus leaving far behind the second watched TV which accounted only for 17 %. In an earlier survey (2002) it has been ranked in third place with 11.9%, right behind the public broadcaster TVSH. Its success relates to its informational programs
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
about the problems that Albanian society
Society
A society, or a human society, is a group of people related to each other through persistent relations, or a large social grouping sharing the same geographical or virtual territory, subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations...
is facing, as well as to the comparatively high technology by which it operates. Also other media outlets making up Top Media include Top Albania Radio, Top Gold Radio, the daily newspaper Shqip, and part of the pay TV platform DigitAlb.
In the past years it has also sought partnership with international development agencies such as UNDP, UNICEF, IOM
IOM
IOM may refer to:* Institute of Medicine, a not-for-profit, non-governmental American organization founded in 1970* Institute of Occupational Medicine in the UK* International Organization for Migration, an intergovernmental organization...
, OSCE, USAID, Albanian and French Red Cross, and many others, and sustains partnership with international private companies such as Vodafone
Vodafone
Vodafone Group Plc is a global telecommunications company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest mobile telecommunications company measured by revenues and the world's second-largest measured by subscribers , with around 341 million proportionate subscribers as of...
. In addition, Top Channel has seen growing partnership with international news agencies such as Reuters
Reuters
Reuters is a news agency headquartered in New York City. Until 2008 the Reuters news agency formed part of a British independent company, Reuters Group plc, which was also a provider of financial market data...
in exchanging news coverage.
Vjollca Hoxha, wife of Dritan Hoxha, has taken over the business since 2008.
Principles
The channel's most important principals, according to its homepage, are:- accuracy
- impartialityImpartialityImpartiality is a principle of justice holding that decisions should be based on objective criteria, rather than on the basis of bias, prejudice, or preferring the benefit to one person over another for improper reasons.-Philosophical concepts of impartiality:According to Bernard Gert, "A is...
(disputed) - analysis and commentaryCriticismCriticism is the judgement of the merits and faults of the work or actions of an individual or group by another . To criticize does not necessarily imply to find fault, but the word is often taken to mean the simple expression of an objection against prejudice, or a disapproval.Another meaning of...
- sound tone of moderationModerationModeration is the process of eliminating or lessening extremes. It is used to ensure normality throughout the medium on which it is being conducted...
and respectRespectRespect denotes both a positive feeling of esteem for a person or other entity , and also specific actions and conduct representative of that esteem. Respect can be a specific feeling of regard for the actual qualities of the one respected...
(disputed) - ethical conductConductConduct may refer to:*Behavior**a personal behavior, a way of acting and showing one's behaviour**using hand gestures to direct*Action , in relation to moral or ethical precepts*Conducting a musical ensemble...
(disputed) - high speed of informationInformationInformation in its most restricted technical sense is a message or collection of messages that consists of an ordered sequence of symbols, or it is the meaning that can be interpreted from such a message or collection of messages. Information can be recorded or transmitted. It can be recorded as...
Their motto
Motto
A motto is a phrase meant to formally summarize the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used. The local language is usual in the mottoes of governments...
is : Lajmi më parë kalon tek ne (The news, at first passes through us).
Programmes
Top Channel's programmes include a broad range of showsTelevision program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
, news
News
News is the communication of selected information on current events which is presented by print, broadcast, Internet, or word of mouth to a third party or mass audience.- Etymology :...
editions, social and economic programs and entertainments (movies, sports etc.). Most of the programs are pre-recorded. Scheduled domestic and foreign programming include:
High-Definition Programs
| Original name | Format |
|---|---|
| Portokalli 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... |
Sitcom |
| Big Brother Albania | Reality-Show |
| E Diell | Sunday show |
| 100 Milionë | Quiz Show |
| Top Fest | Albanian Modern Music Festival |
| The Voice of Albania The Voice of Albania The Voice of Albania is an singing competition in Albania and Kosovo. The show premiered in late 2011 by Top Channel. The rules of the show are based from The Voice of Holland and The Voice... |
Singing competition |
Nationally created shows currently broadcast by Top Channel (as of February 2011)
| Original name | Format |
|---|---|
| Fiks Fare Fiks Fare Fiks Fare is a criticizing and problem-raising show in Top Channel TV, one of the largest TV stations in Albanian TV broadcasting, co-hosted by Saimir Kodra and Gent Pjetri known as The doctor... |
|
| Exclusive | inquiry Inquiry An inquiry is any process that has the aim of augmenting knowledge, resolving doubt, or solving a problem. A theory of inquiry is an account of the various types of inquiry and a treatment of the ways that each type of inquiry achieves its aim.-Deduction:... program |
| Shqip | current affairs |
| E Diell | Sunday show |
| Pasdite ne Top Channel | talk show |
| Top Show | talk show |
| Portokalli 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... |
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 |
| Albanians Got Talent Albanians Got Talent Albanians Got Talent is an Albanian-Event. Albanian's Got Talent is the new name of "Ti Vlen", an Talent-Albanian show that was stopped in 2009. Albanians got Talent has started on October 15, 2010. The judges of Albanians Got Talent are Altin Basha, Rovena Dilo and Armend Rexhepagiqi... |
talent show |
| Albania's Next Top Model Albania's Next Top Model Albania's Next Top Model is a reality documentary and the albanian version of Tyra Banks' America's Next Top Model. It pits contestants against each other in a variety of competitions to determine who will win title of Albania's Next Top Model.... |
reality show |
| 100 milionë - The money drop | game show |
| The voice of Albania The Voice of Albania The Voice of Albania is an singing competition in Albania and Kosovo. The show premiered in late 2011 by Top Channel. The rules of the show are based from The Voice of Holland and The Voice... |
talent show |
Internationally created shows currently broadcast by Top Channel (as of May 2008)
| Original name | Albanian translation | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Smallville Smallville (TV series) Smallville is an American television series developed by writers/producers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar based on the DC Comics character Superman, originally created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The television series was initially broadcast by The WB Television Network , premiering on October... |
Smallville | United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
| The Sopranos The Sopranos The Sopranos is an American television drama series created by David Chase that revolves around the New Jersey-based Italian-American mobster Tony Soprano and the difficulties he faces as he tries to balance the often conflicting requirements of his home life and the criminal organization he heads... |
Sopranot | |
| Friends Friends Friends is an American sitcom created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, which aired on NBC from September 22, 1994 to May 6, 2004. The series revolves around a group of friends in Manhattan. The series was produced by Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions, in association with Warner Bros. Television... |
Friends | |
| 24 24 (TV series) 24 is an American television series produced for the Fox Network and syndicated worldwide, starring Kiefer Sutherland as Counter Terrorist Unit agent Jack Bauer. Each 24-episode season covers 24 hours in the life of Bauer, using the real time method of narration... |
24 Orë | |
| Lost Lost (TV series) Lost is an American television series that originally aired on ABC from September 22, 2004 to May 23, 2010, consisting of six seasons. Lost is a drama series that follows the survivors of the crash of a commercial passenger jet flying between Sydney and Los Angeles, on a mysterious tropical island... |
Të humbur | |
| Desperate Housewives Desperate Housewives Desperate Housewives is an American television comedy-drama series created by Marc Cherry and produced by ABC Studios and Cherry Productions. Executive producer Cherry serves as Showrunner. Other executive producers since the fourth season include Marc Cherry, Bob Daily, George W... |
Shtëpiake të dëshpëruara | |
| El Rostro de Analia El Rostro de Analía El Rostro de Analía is a Spanish-language telenovela produced by the American-based television network Telemundo. It stars Elizabeth Gutiérrez, Martin Karpan, Maritza Rodríguez and the special appearance of Gaby Espino... |
Fytyra e Analias | |
| Ghosts | Fantazmat | |
| SpongeBob SquarePants SpongeBob SquarePants SpongeBob SquarePants is an American animated television series, created by marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg. Much of the series centers on the exploits and adventures of the title character and his various friends in the underwater city of "Bikini Bottom"... |
SpongeBob SquarePants | |
| Centovetrine | 100 Vitrinat | Italy Italy Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and... |
| Squadra Antimafia-Palermo oggi 1 | Skuadra antimafia-Palermo sot 1 | |
| Attacco Allo Stato | Shënjestër Politike | |
| Paraiso Tropical | Parajsë tropikale | Brazil Brazil Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people... |
| Footballers' Wives Footballers' Wives Footballers' Wives is a British television drama surrounding the fictional Premier League Association football club Earls Park F.C., its players, and their wives. It was broadcast on the ITV network from 8 January 2002 to 14 April 2006... |
Gratë e Futbollistëve | United Kingdom United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages... |
News bulletins and reportages
This includes mainly the daily news about the political, economical, cultural, and social enronment in Albania. The programs also provide information regarding the main events occurring in every part of the world.Fiks Fare
Fiks Fare is a criticizing and problem-raising show, which through humor and satireSatire
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement...
denounces the negative aspects of life such as corruption
Political corruption
Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...
, fraud
Fraud
In criminal law, a fraud is an intentional deception made for personal gain or to damage another individual; the related adjective is fraudulent. The specific legal definition varies by legal jurisdiction. Fraud is a crime, and also a civil law violation...
, 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
Albanians
Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
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.
Shqip
Shqip is the flagshipFlagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
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
International Research & Exchanges Board
International Research & Exchanges Board is an international nonprofit organization providing leadership and innovative programs to improve the quality of education, strengthen independent media, and foster pluralistic civil society development....
, 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. Every day the program invites six to eight individuals from various areas of art, politicsPolitics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
, business
Business
A business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
and civil society who discuss the hottest topics concerning the Albanian society. The forum of discussion touches sensitive subjects such as poverty
Poverty
Poverty is the lack of a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter. About 1.7 billion people are estimated to live...
, prostitution
Prostitution
Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
, corruption, family life
Family Life
Family Life is a magazine published by, and primarily for, the Old Order Amish. The publisher is Pathway Publishers of Aylmer, Ontario, Canada. Unlike some Amish publications, Family Life is printed entirely in English rather than Pennsylvania Dutch or German.The magazine was founded in 1968 and is...
, emigration
Emigration
Emigration is the act of leaving one's country or region to settle in another. It is the same as immigration but from the perspective of the country of origin. Human movement before the establishment of political boundaries or within one state is termed migration. There are many reasons why people...
, male domination and other events in sports and music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
. 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.
Portokalli
Portokalli is a weekly night sketch comedyComedy
Comedy , as a popular meaning, is any humorous discourse or work generally intended to amuse by creating laughter, especially in television, film, and stand-up comedy. This must be carefully distinguished from its academic definition, namely the comic theatre, whose Western origins are found in...
and variety show
Variety show
A variety show, also known as variety arts or variety entertainment, is an entertainment made up of a variety of acts, especially musical performances and sketch comedy, and normally introduced by a compère or host. Other types of acts include magic, animal and circus acts, acrobatics, juggling...
filmed in Tirana
Tirana
Tirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. Modern Tirana was founded as an Ottoman town in 1614 by Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler from Mullet, although the area has been continuously inhabited since antiquity. Tirana became Albania's capital city in 1920 and has a population of over...
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
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
" show "Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
". Portokalli is known to make fun of everyday problems through humor and satire
Satire
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement...
. It also makes fun of political figures such as Sali Berisha
Sali Berisha
Sali Ram Berisha is an Albanian politician and cardiologist, currently the Prime Minister of Albania and the leader of Democratic Party of Albania ....
, Edi Rama
Edi Rama
Edi Rama is an Albanian politician, painter, publicist, professor, and former athlete. Currently he is the leader of the Socialist Party of Albania, the biggest party in Albania , by wining the most of votes as a party in the last eight election.He has served as board member at the local Soros...
, Hashim Thaçi
Hashim Thaci
Hashim Thaçi is the Prime Minister of Republic of Kosovo, the leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo , and former political leader of the Kosovo Liberation Army .-Early life and education:...
, Ramush Haradinaj
Ramush Haradinaj
Ramush Haradinaj is a former leader of the Kosovo Liberation Army and former prime minister of Kosovo. He leads the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo and is among former KLA officers charged of war crimes during the 1999 Kosovo War by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia...
and others. Portokalli reaches an audience of many ages through young and old.