TVM will broadcast in wide-screen format (16:9) from October as a first step towards migrating to full HD broadcast, CEO Anton Attard announced today.
Speaking at a press conference, he also announced that PBS would be rebranding to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the launching of the television service.
He said that audience surveys confirmed TVM as the most viewed TV station in Malta surpassing by far all other local stations.
PBS, he said, had obtained the rights to broadcast all Euro 2012 matches.
It will also host the Malta Song Contest 2012 on January 27 - 28.
Launching the autumn schedules of TVM, Radju Malta and Magic Malta, Mr Attard said a number of renowned producers and presenters had joined the state broadcaster from other stations while established names were returning,
Chairman Joseph Mizzi said that the Autumn programme schedule would continue to foster the existing healthy relationships with successful producers and presenters while it nurtured new productions.
Mr Attard said PBS was the first choice for local production houses and PBS had managed to sign all those production houses, producers and presenters is had sought.
Journalist Daphne Cassar will present a daily TV breakfast show which will take on a news programme format while veteran TV host Claudette Pace returns to TVM with the afternoon entertainment brand 'Sellili'.
Family entertainment has been scheduled to fill in the evening (pre-news) time band with Carlo Borg Bonaci and Ronald Briffa presenting 'Kwizzun' and 'Puree' respectively – both family oriented entertainment game shows.
The frequency of news updates and bullettins will also increase from this Fall. The TVM newsroom will provide news updates at noon, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, 8pm, 9.45pm and 11.15pm. The newsroom will also provide news content for the daily breakfast show.
Prime time slots will be dedicated to entertainment with the exception of discussion programme 'Dissett' on Saturday. From Monday to Friday and on Sundays, TVM will present popular drama and comedy such as Deceduti, Min Imissu, Salib it-Toroq, Bijografiji and DREAMS.
Xarabank returns on Friday nights. TVM will once again be offering a new selection of blockbuster movies on Saturday evening.
Information and discussion programs take the stage during the second late evening tier, starting at 9.50 p.m. including Bondi + every Tuesday and Thursday, Qalbinnies on Mondays and Lenti on Wednesdays.
Locally produced lifestyle progammes follow at 10.30 p.m. including Menader, Pap Paq, Mixage and Venere.
Children's programmes include a totally rebranded version of Zona.
TVM is also launching three new programmes on Sundays including primetime comedy Min Imissu, a culture/information program Malta u Lil Hinn Minnha at 9.50 a.m. and Style Watch at 6.40 p.m. A selection of the best all-time classic British comedy takes Sunday's pre News evening slot.
Radju Malta and Magic Malta
Vetrean radio host Carlo Borg Bonaci has been engaged as Station Manager for Magic Malta. He will also host a live daily breakfast show on Magic Malta.
Popular duo Frank Zammit & Ronald Briffa have joined the team at Radju Malta to host the weekday breakfast show while Lilian Maistre will continue her morning show 'Familja Wahda' from Monday to Friday.
Rebranded identity
2012 will mark the 50th year from the setting up of Malta Television Services (MTV). To commemorate this milestone PBS has also launched a rebranded visual identity which traces the origins of the state broadcaster and displays elements of Malta's most widely recognised symbol – the Maltese cross.