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Top Channel
Albanian national television network
Albanian national television network
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Top Channel Sh.A |
| logo | Top Channel.svg |
| logo_size | 175px |
| type | National commercial network |
| country | Albania |
| founded | 2001 |
| founder | Dritan Hoxha |
| launch_date | |
| network | DigitAlb |
| timeshift_service | Available via DigitAlb |
| owner | Top Media Group |
| language | Albanian |
| picture_format | 576i (SDTV 16:9), 1080i (HDTV 16:9), 4K UHDTV 16:9, 8K UHDTV 16:9 |
| headquarters | Tirana, Albania |
| key_people | Lori Hoxha (CEO) |
| sister_channels | * Radio: Top Albania Radio 100.0 FM (Tirana), Top Gold Radio 100.8 FM (Tirana), My Music Radio 97.3 FM (Tirana) |
| website | |
| terr_serv_1 | Albania |
| terr_chan_1 | DVB-T2 or Analogue, UHF CH59 (depends on region) |
| online_serv_1 | DigitAlb OTT |
| online_chan_1 | Top Channel |
- TV: Top News, MusicAL
- Films: Top Channel Films
Top Channel (often abbreviated as TCH){{cite web |access-date = 23 August 2025
History
Top Channel was established in 2000 and began experimental broadcasts on 30 July 2001 from the International Centre for Culture (Qendra Ndërkombëtare e Kulturës), also known as the Pyramid of Tirana. It officially started broadcasting on 20 December 2001 and quickly became a generalist television channel.
In 2003, a national survey ranked Top Channel as the most-watched TV station in Albania with 50% of the audience share, up from 11.9% in 2002. Its rise in popularity was attributed to its high-quality broadcasting technology and its programming focused on current issues in Albanian society.
The channel began broadcasting in widescreen 16:9 high-definition format in 2009 and transitioned entirely to HD in 2012. Since September 2003, Top Channel has also been available via satellite across Europe through DigitAlb, and in North America via TVALB and Shqip TV. It is also accessible through IPTV platforms and local cable providers in countries such as Switzerland.
Top Channel has cooperated with international organizations including UNDP, UNICEF, IOM, OSCE, USAID, and the Red Cross, as well as private partners like Vodafone. It also maintains partnerships with international news agencies such as Reuters.
Top Channel, Top Albania Radio, and Top Gold Radio were founded by media entrepreneur Dritan Hoxha. After his death in a car accident in 2008, his wife Vjollca Hoxha assumed leadership of the company. Their daughter, Lori Hoxha, later became involved in the management of the group and was appointed CEO of Top Media in 2022.
On 27 March 2023, a shooting occurred at the Top Channel headquarters in Tirana, resulting in the death of security guard Pal Kola. The shots were fired from a Range Rover using an AK-47 rifle. The vehicle was later found burned.
In 2025, the channel shifted focus away from films and series, replacing them with new original shows.
Programmes
| Program Name | Description | Key Hosts | Airing Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| News Bulletins & Reports | Daily news coverage on national and international events. | — | Ongoing |
| E Diell | Weekly show with entertainment, interviews, and music. | Adi Krasta, Alban Dudushi, Xhemi Shehu, Edi Manushi | 2008–present |
| Fiks Fare | Satirical show exposing corruption and social issues. | Julian Deda | |
| Xhemi Shehu | Daily | ||
| Shqip | Political talk show with live interviews and analysis. | Rudina Xhunga | 2002–2015 |
| Ftesë në 5 | Afternoon talk show with guests from various fields. | Bieta Sulo | Since 2018 |
| Portokalli | Comedy show with sketches, satire, and live acts. | Salsano Rapi | |
| Kiara Tito | |||
| Nevina Shtylla | Since 2003 | ||
| Top Story | Political debate and investigative interviews. | Sokol Balla | |
| Grida Duma | 2006–2017, 2022–present | ||
| Top Show | Talk show covering culture, politics, and society. | Alban Dudushi | 2003–2020 |
| Top Fest | Music competition for Albanian-speaking artists. | — | 2004–2015 |
| Big Brother Albania | Reality show with contestants living in isolation. | Arbana Osmani, Ledion Liço | 2008–present |
| StarTop | Business reality show with startup pitches. | Eno Popi | 2022–2023 |
Main article: List of programs broadcast by Top Channel
References
References
- "Change Log - KingOfSat".
- "About Top Channel".
- "Top Channel - LyngSat".
- "Lori Hoxha feston sot ditëlindjen, sa vjeç bën CEO e Top Medias".
- "Top Channel TV's statement on terrorist attack with an employee killed at its main headquarters".
This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.
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