Tista' Tkun Int! concept to be 'exported'

An Italian TV station is showing great interest in acquiring the concept behind the popular Maltese programme Tista' Tkun Int!

Speaking to The Sunday Times from a hotel room in Malta, Idris Sennah, a director of Rete Brescia International, a private TV satellite and terrestrial channel in Italy, said that Italian TV in general has become very saturated and there is a gross lack of ideas.

"Tista' Tkun Int! is a programme with an intelligent format that helps people in need and makes their dreams come true without actually giving them money, unlike other forms of charity and solidarity which can be dishonest and hypocritical," Mr Sennah said.

Mr Sennah, of African origin, known more by his first name Idris and his love for Juventus, first got to know of Tista' Tkun Int! when he was invited on the programme to help make a girl's dream of meeting the entire Juventus team come true. Since then he has remained in contact with the programme, helping out whenever he could.

Like in Malta, the Italians are a very sensitive people and strongly believe in solidarity with those in need, Mr Sennah said. "This is why I think a programme of this sort would do well in Italy. But not just there. With my 25 years' experience in the television industry, I believe the programme can be exported all around the world."

Tista' Tkun Int! is a family programme aired on TVM every Sunday morning which tries to open a window of happines in the lives of those who have been through a lot of hardship through their lives, offering them solace and in many cases making their dreams come true.

Rachel Vella, who produces and presents the programme, said she was happy with the prospect but was not surprised. Some Australian TV stations had already shown interest in the programme, where viewers currently watch the programme over the Internet.

"The success of the programme boils down to the efforts of the 50-strong team who have endeavoured to make the concept work, besides the generous sponsors and advertisers, Rachel told The Sunday Times. Talks with PBS too are currently under way."