RTSH (broadcaster)

Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH)

Type	Public broadcasting
Country	Albania
Availability	National
Slogan	Së bashku Together
Headquarters	Rruga Ismail Qemali 11, Tirana, Albania
Key people	Thoma Gëllçi (General director)
Launch date	28 November 1938;81 years ago (1938-11-28)(radio) 29 April 1960;60 years ago (1960-04-29)(television)
Former names	Radiodifuzioni Shqiptar
Official website	www.rtsh.al

Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) (English: Albanian Radio and Television) is a Albanian public-service radio and television broadcasting company. Founded in 1938, it operates several radio and television channels, over a domestic transmitter network as well as satellite. The international television service via satellite RTSH Sat (former TVSH Sat) was launched in 1993 and is aimed at Albanian-speaking communities in Kosovo, Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro, and northern Greece, plus the Albanian diaspora in the rest of Europe. RTSH is funded by a combination of commercial advertising, an annual licence fee of US$12.00 ^[1] and grant-in-aid from the Albanian government.

There are 12 TV channels in the first multiplexer and 5 radio channels. RTSH also runs a Satellite Multiplexer with 7 channels. RTSH 1 is the flagship generalist channel. RTSH 2 is dedicated niche communities, including cultural and ethnic minorities, broadcasting news editions in Greek, Montenegrin and Aromanian. RTSH 3 is dedicated to Albanians living abroad. RTSH also has dedicated channels, for news (RTSH-24), sports, music, children, etc. In addition, four regional radio and TV stations serve local areas in Gjirokastër, Korçë and Kukës.

The international radio service broadcasts radio programmes in Albanian and seven other languages via Internet Radio, Radio on the Satellite and on OTT with an App for both iOS and Android. Medium wave (AM) and short wave broadcasts were switched off in 2017. (SW). ^[2]

The broadcaster is an active member of the European Broadcasting Union. ^[3] It organises the music competition Festivali i Këngës, which has been broadcast every year since its inauguration in 1962. Ever since 2003, it simultaneously determines the country's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest.

History

Early development

King Zog and Queen Geraldine Apponyi launched Radio Tirana in 1938.

The beginnings of RTSH date to the creation of Radio Tirana on 28 November 1938. The first Albanian radio station was launched by King Zog I and Queen Geraldine Apponyi in a ceremony at the former building of the Municipality of Tirana. A year earlier, a shortwave transmitter with a power of 3 kW at 40 meters was put in operation in Laprake (Tirana) and intended mainly for communication, but was also used to broadcast 3 hours of programmes per day. The first broadcast consisted of choral singing, where Jorgji Truja and Marije Kraja sang an introductory piece, followed by the unique timbre of Kaliopi Nushi's voice who pronounced the following phrase: "Mirëdita, kjo është Radio Tirana" (English: Good day, this is Radio Tirana). This officially marked the first broadcast of Radio Tirana. In 1987, 66 hours of programmes were broadcast in 20 foreign languages every day. ^[4]

Headquarters in Tirana.

In 1959, Radio Tirana's director by that time, Petro Kita, founded the first Experimental Television Centre to provide the basis for the latter Albanian television, TVSH. The first test programme was held on 29 April 1960, at 6:00 pm and was introduced by the journalist Stoli Beli. The official launch was set for 1 May 1960. Children movies and then adults’ programmes were broadcast, three times a week for about one hour. ^[5] Television programs were regularly launched by 1971. ^[6] Color broadcasts started in 1981, and became regular by 1982. In 2002 TVSH ranked second with an audience share of 17.1%. The second channel, TVSH 2, began experimental broadcasts in 2003. In 2012, several digital only channels were launched under the RTSH logo.

Communist period

Despite the country's tiny size and isolationist policies, Radio Tirana was a fairly major international broadcaster during the Cold War. Its programmes had a reputation for being little more than dull propaganda.

During Albania's alliance with China in the 1960s and 1970s, Radio Tirana had to walk a fine line between being anti-West whilst also being anti-Soviet. As such, Radio Tirana kept close to the official policy of the People's Republic of China, which was also both anti-West and anti-Soviet whilst still being socialist in tone. Following the break with China, programming still remained Marxist-Leninist in nature.

Polish Communist Kazimierz Mijal broadcast his radical opinions in Polish 1966–1978.

Pin badge, late 1980s

During the 1970s, the station broadcast to Europe on 1214 kHz, causing interference problems for the British BBC Radio One on the same frequency. During the 1980s and early 1990s the international service was broadcast on 1395 kHz (along with various short wave frequencies) and was received throughout Europe during the evening and through the night. Radio Tirana also upset many amateur radio operators in Europe by operating transmitters in the 7 MHz (40 metre) amateur band.

In 1985, it broadcast only 2.5 hours per day. It opened at 20:00 and closed at 22:30. Later, in 1986, it broadcast each day for 4 hours, from 17:00 to 18:30 and 20:00 to 22:30. Most of the programming during the communist era consisted of propaganda and news programs.

Political programming predominated during this period. Features included Marxism-Leninism – an Ever-Young and Scientific Doctrine and Socialism and the Youth. The feature Leafing Through the Marxist-Leninist Press reviewed the journals of foreign communist parties allied to the Albanian Party of Labour. Other programs included Introducing You To Albania, Leafing Through Our Listeners' Letters, Culture and Art in Socialist Albania and The Song of Our Life. Radio Tirana also presented irregular programs of revolutionary music from around the world, while the programme What We Saw in Socialist Albania offered interviews with foreign visitors to Albania.

The interval signal of Radio Tirana during this period was the first few bars of the Albanian revolutionary song With a Pickaxe in One Hand and a Rifle in the Other (Albanian : Në njërën dorë kazmën në tjetrën pushkën). This song also served as the signature tune of Radio Tirana's foreign language broadcasts. The pickaxe and rifle were part of the logo of Albanian Radio-Television during this period, and can be seen in the above photograph.

During the last months of the socialist era, overtly political programming was drastically scaled down, and the long-established practice of playing "The Internationale" at the end of each broadcast was abandoned.

A similar ideological battle took place on the television spectrum. The neighbouring TV signals of Italian RAI and Yugoslav RTV Titograd were particularly affected. During the 1960s, RAI was received in Tirana in decent quality. As time passed, the signal was strengthened by RTSH at Mount Dajti transmitter site only to broadcast the day's main news bulletin (TG1), films, and children's programmes. It is observed that in the news program, reports containing music concerts and papal activities, or even regular commercial spots were jammed. A similar phenomenon occurred with RTV Titograd's frequencies.

After the fall of the communist system, Albania's TV frequencies started to be filled by a variety of Western broadcasters: from RAI to CNN International. In 2002, the practice was partially discontinued as Parliament passed a law outlining protective measures for the Albanian broadcasting industry.

The former grounds of the headquarters of Radio Tirana.

Radio Tirana is widely seen as a symbol representing Albanian culture in the world. Through its educational, cultural, and informative programs broadcast nationally and internationally, Radio Tirana has played a major role in the transmission of Albanian people's cultural values. The station served as the first academy of Albanian literal language as in its archive can be found interesting historical artefacts such as a speech made by Fan Stilian Noli or the voice of Albanian arts' ambassador, Alexander Moissi. Furthermore, it served as a venue on which emerging Albanian artists first showcased their talents later becoming icons. The voices of Tefta Tashko-Koço, Marije Kraja, Kristaq Koço, Viktori Xhaçka and many others were first heard in the station's studios. In addition, Albanian personalities such as renowned actor Reshat Arbana, singer Vaçe Zela and Dr. Sulçebeg hosted the most popular programs.

Contemporary

RTSH has dominated the Albanian broadcasting field up to the middle of 1990s, a period when privately owned radio and television stations started to occupy the vast empty Albanian frequencies resulting in a gradual brain-drain. Lured by higher wages and not only, numerous experienced journalists and employees left the broadcaster for the new media outlets. For instance, Albania's current popular political talk shows such as Opinion by Blendi Fevziu, formerly E Diela Debat, or Fokus by Robert Papa, can track their beginnings at RTSH. Despite the brain-drain, the institution has held a leader's position in the production of programs pertaining to civics, education and science.

Classic Logo of Albanian State Television (TVSH) since the 1990s replaced by RTSH 1 HD in February 2017

One of the post-communist programs leaving a lasting impression was that of talented show-man Adi Krasta, entitled Rreth Fatit për 12-Javë. The show was embedded in a national lottery, something unseen before in Albania and ran on primetime state television for about five hours non-stop in addition to offering tunes of famous American song ballads such as I've Had The Time Of My Life by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes, and hit song Auberge by Chris Rea. In addition, American actor of Albanian descent James Belushi offered his salutations to the Albanian people from the United States in the program through an exclusive interview. Other impressive programs included 12 vallzime pa nje te shtune, Miss Albania, and musical productions from Leonard Bombaj.

The broadcsater is known for producing high quality documentaries on Albanian national heritage topics such as important personalities, surveys of Albanian historic regions and geographic landscapes. The theatre on the screen segment features theatre performances of past years both in the drama and comedy genres. Another well-known production is the Hapesire e Blerte, an agricultural show, a long lasting programme entirely dedicated to the Albanian agricultural scene and countryside. An end-year festive concert, a yearly television program styled as a celebration of the new year where a variety of humorous sketches are conducted by talented comedy troupes from across Albania.

Up to the early 2000s, the journalistic field was represented by experienced iconic personalities such as news anchors Tefta Radi, Roland Roshi, Arben Kamberi, Reiz Çiço, and Arben Mevlani. The broadcaster also covers daily and special proceedings of the Parliament of Albania. In 1997, in Albania, educational institutions were temporarily shut down due to the civil unrest. As a result, RTSH broadcast instructional programs for the barricaded youth, that made for a substitute to regular instruction. RTSH is known also for the vast number of shows for children and adolescents produced each year.

In 1998, journalists of RTV Pristina were obliged to flee Pristina as the situation in Kosovo was escalating. They took temporal refuge in RTSH by anchoring specific news bulletins on their region's situation.

RTSH owns and operates a vast number of transmitter sites throughout the country such as the Fushe Dajt and Dajt 1613m stations at Mount Dajt in the periphery of Tirana. As such, a number of Western radio and TV broadcasters lease the sites to broadcast their own feeds since the 1990s.

On May 6, 2016 RTSH appointed Thoma Gëllçi as Director General as the position had been vacant for years. ^[7]

Broadcasting outlets

Television

Logo	Channel	HD	Broadcast	Description
	RTSH 1		Digital terrestrial television	generalist
	RTSH 2		Digital terrestrial television	generalist primarily focused on minorities
	RTSH 3		Digital terrestrial television Satellite	generalist primarily focused on the diaspora
	RTSH Shkollë		Digital terrestrial television Satellite	Albanian and international kids and teen programming
	RTSH Film		Digital terrestrial television	International TV series, movies and shows
	RTSH Muzikë		Digital terrestrial television Satellite	Albanian and international music, culture, shows
	RTSH Shqip		Digital terrestrial television Satellite	Albanian movies, culture, and shows
	RTSH Fëmijë		Digital terrestrial television	Albanian and international kids programming
	RTSH Sport		Digital terrestrial television	sports
	RTSH Plus		Digital terrestrial television Satellite	Albanian culture, shows, music
	RTSH 24		Digital terrestrial television Satellite	news
	RTSH 1 SAT		Satellite	Replace RTSH 1 encrypted programming on satellite
	RTSH Kuvend		Digital terrestrial television	broadcast only live parliament
	RTSH Gjirokastra		Digital terrestrial television	local television covering the Gjirokastër area and its surroundings.
	RTSH Korça		Digital terrestrial television	local television covering the Korçë area and its surroundings.
	RTSH Kukësi		Digital terrestrial television	local television covering the Kukës area and its surroundings.

Radio

• Radio Tirana (also, Radio Tirana 1) is the name of Albania's first radio program, concentrating on news, talk, and features
• Radio Tirana 2 is the second radio program targeted at youth broadcasting mainly music
• Radio Tirana 3 is the third radio program dedicated to all genres of Albanian music
• Radio Tirana International is the name of the international service broadcasting in Albanian, English, French. Greek, German, Italian, Serbian, and Turkish
• Radio Tirana Klasik is a radio station broadcasting in Tirana at 101.2 MHz dedicated mainly to classical music.
• Radio Tirana Jazz is a radio station dedicated to jazz classics broadcasting only on digital and not on FM.
• Radio Korça in Korçë, Albania
• Radio Gjirokastra in Gjirokastër, Albania
• Radio Shkodra in Shkodër, Albania
• Radio Kukësi in Kukës, Albania

RTSH TANI

In 2017, RTSH launched "RTSH Tani" an app which enables users of Android and iOS to watch all the channels from the RTSH digital platform including the regional channels such as TV Korca. In addition, the app enables users to watch catch up TV content from the last 7 days for all 9 channels. ^[8]

Logo

The unveiling of the new logo of RTSH took place on the opening of the 56th edition of the Festivali i Kenges national music competition on 21 December 2017. The logo is made up of rectangular shapes representing the principal of rationality, and the focus of the camera lens. Meanwhile, 2 coloured rectangular shapes represent the red and black colours of the Albanian flag. Some critics have argued that the logo strongly resembles the Croatian public broadcaster HRT instead. In 2020, the logo was modified by bringing the two square shapes almost on top of each other, thus greatly distinguishing it from HRT.

Programs

National

Original name	Format	Origin
Revista televizive	Central News Bulletin	Albania
Hapësirë e Blertë	Agricultural affairs	Albania
Rubrika Sportive	Sport show	Albania
E Hëna Sportive	Sport show	Albania
Trupi dhe Shëndeti	Health show	Albania
Mirëmëngjes Shqipëri	Morning show	Albania
DITE TE MBARE	Morning show	Albania
Festivali i Këngës	Song contest	Albania
Java ne RTSH	Political talk show	Albania
Auditor Arsimi	Instruction talk show	Albania
Art and Art	Musical show	Albania
Biblioteke	Literature show	Albania
Autor	Documentary show	Albania
Ne tempull	Cultural show	Albania
Artes	Cultural talk show	Albania
Perballe	Political talk show	Albania
Dimnesioni 4	Instruction talk show	Albania

International

Title	Origin
Voice of America	United States
The Mentalist	United States
Millennium	Sweden
Person of Interest (TV series)	United States [9]
The Closer	United States [10]
Hallo Robbie!	Germany
SOKO Wismar	Germany
Eurovision Song Contest	Europe
Junior Eurovision Song Contest	Europe

Broadcasting improvements

Mount Dajt overlooking Tirana. TV and radio transmitters are mounted at Fushe Dajti plain and on the highest peak at the altitude of 1613 meters.

The broadcasting quality of Radio Tirana has gradually improved throughout the years. After the Second World War, noticeable improvements were observed in Albania's coverage with signal. Improvements were also noted in the external service, as the radio center of Shijak (Durrës) was opened in November 1961 equipped with 3 transmitters, 2 in shortwave intended for the external service.

In December 1965, a new building of Radio Tirana was inaugurated. During the upcoming years, a combined total of 18 medium and short wave transmitters were installed, part of which carried Radio Tirana's external service programmes for many years.

In 2003, an attractive TV news room studio was created, and the TV (TVSH) signal on VHF band in Tirana was strengthened. TVSH became available also on UHF and experimental broadcasts of the second TV channel TVSH 2 were initiated. Later, screen graphics experienced an extreme makeover. The FM channel in the capital at 99,5 MHz was put on Stereo, and the second radio program was expanded to 24 hours a day.

RTSH transmitters at 1613m altitude on Dajti Mt

In 2007, RTSH launched its official webpage with daily news briefs and a variety of information on its services. The online stream of Radio Tirana 3 was launched on 28 November 2008 by the German Radio 700 team while the Radio Tirana 1 stream was launched in January 2009.

In 2011, RTSH launched live streaming of the 50th edition of Festivali i Kenges, by possibly marking the first time that RTSH launched an online streaming video service in its history.

In 2012, RTSH started broadcasting in HD. In 2013, RTSH launched four specialty channels including: RTSH HD, RTSH Muzikë, RTSH Art, RTSH Sport. By far, RTSH holds a monopoly in rural areas where its signal dominates airwaves.

In 2017, RTSH launched three additional channels including: RTSH Fëmijë (featuring children's programming) and RTSH Kuvend, a channel dedicated to Kuvendi, the Albanian Parliament and RTSH 24.

In recent years, RTSH has upgraded TV studios and broadcasting equipment, launched a number of digital TV channels, added live online TV and radio streams, and has uploaded TV programs on YouTube.

Special productions

• RTSH is the producer of the annual national song competition, Festivali i Këngës . The winner of the competition goes on to represent Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest.
• RTSH has produced the most high-rated Albanian television series, Njerëz dhe Fate, Dhimbja e Dashurisë, and radio series Rruga me Pisha
• Miss Albania and Miss Europe were some of the fashion competitions organised by RTSH in the 1990s.

Controversies and criticisms

Allegations of bias in reporting have remained throughout the long history of RTSH. Critics and observers of the institution suggest that it leans towards the government's agenda and conclude that it unsuccessfully tries to reinvent itself as an independent public broadcaster.

Additionally, TVSH was observed simulcasting Fox News Channel at the night-time slot (approx. 0000CET-0700CET) during the 2003 military campaign on Iraq.

See also

• Television portal
• Radio portal

• Festivali i Këngës
• Television in Albania
• Radio in Albania

References

1. About RTSH - rtsh.sil.at Archived 2005-12-19 at the Wayback Machine
2. Radio Tirana's Broadcasting Schedule as of 2007 - RadioTirana.org Archived 2009-11-17 at the Wayback Machine
3. "EBUMembers". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
4. History of Radio Tirana's Transmitters – DX LISTENING DIGEST 6-150 October 8, 2006
5. "Faqe nga historia e Televizionit Shqiptar". Koha Jone . 2005-06-03. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
6. Wells, Alan (1996). World Broadcasting: a comparative view. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 107. ISBN   1-56750-245-8.
7. Union (EBU), European Broadcasting (2016-05-06). "Albania public service broadcaster Radio Televizioni Shqiptar elects new Director General". www.ebu.ch. Retrieved 2020-11-01.
8. ""RTSH Tani" në telefonat e zgjuar". RTSH-Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (in Albanian). 2018-01-02. Retrieved 2018-08-13.
9. http://www.imalbania.com/person-of-interest-dy-episode-premiere-kete-te-shtune-ne-rtsh/
10. http://www.imalbania.com/the-closer-seriali-me-i-ri-ne-rtsh/

External links

• Official website
• Secondary website (under development)