Favourite TV approved for broadcast on PBS digital platform

As part of the digital-to-analogue broadcasting technology shift, local analogue stations had to make the shift to digital technology. However, the digital switchover only afforded the viewing of six Maltese TV stations free-to-air via digital terrestrial.

TVM and Education 22 were already broadcasting on this platform, “because public broadcasting is considered the ‘de facto’ service of general interest TV,” the BA said.

“In the meantime, the existing stations which are currently broadcasting through analogue free-to-air technology have the right to first pick for their signal to be carried by the platform,” it added.

The BA said that it had reviewed both stations’ programming schedules, as well as previous schedules, and concluded that “given the circumstances, Favourite Channel is addressing the criteria established bylaw better.”

It referred to the Legal Notice 240 (of 2011) which “lists the programme genres that a programme must have to be granted the status of a general interest television service.”

“Because of this, the authority decided that Favourite Channel should be awarded the status of a general interest television service, as long as an agreement can be reached with PBS Ltd for it to be carried on this platform,” the BA said.

Referring to Calypso Music TV, the BA said that “to-date, this does not adequately reflect the criteria [of a general interest television service].”