PORTOKALLI- PROGRAM PER TE QESHUR NE TOP-CHANNEL

Portokalli-Polici

    

  Top Channel TV is one of the largest TV stations in Albania. It is a privately owned business entity, part of Top Media Company, and covers most parts of Albania. Since September 2003, Top Channel has also been present on satellite broadcasting all over Europe through DigitAlb and North America through Home2US. As of January 2008, KKRT has authorized Top Channel to become the 4th television station with national frequency coverage in Albania.

Top Channel was established on 30 July 2001 in the International Center for Culture (Qendra Ndërkombëtare e Kulturës) in Tirana, and since then has seen a very fast growth and success and it has become preferable by a growing number of people. It is believed that Top Channel holds an average viewing percentage of 70% as of 2006, though these are based on approximate evaluations of various experts and not officially confirmed. Based on a survey in 2003, Top Channel was ranked as the most watched TV channel in Albania with 50 % of the national audience, thus leaving far behind the second watched TV which accounts for 17 % of the national audience. In an earlier survey (2002) it has been ranked in third place with 11.9% audience share, right behind the public broadcaster TVSH. Its success relates to its informational programs about the problems that Albanian society is facing, as well as to the comparatively high technology by which it operates. Also other media outlets making up Top Media include Top Albania Radio, the daily newspaper Shqip, and part of the pay TV platform DigitAlb.

In the past years it has also sought partnership with international development agencies such as UNDP, UNICEF, IOM, OSCE, USAID, Albanian and French Red Cross, and many others, and sustains partnership with international private companies such as Vodafone. In addition, Top Channel has seen growing partnership with international news agencies such as Reuters in exchanging news coverage.

Main article: Portokalli

Portokalli is a weekly night sketch comedy and variety show filmed in Tirana in front of a live audience. The format of the show includes stand-up comedy, sketch comedy, and live music making the show similar to the "NBC" show "Saturday Night Live". Portokalli is known to make fun of everyday problems through humor and satire. It also makes fun of political figures such as Sali Berisha, Edi Rama, Hashim Thaçi, Ramush Haradinaj and others. Portokalli reaches an audience of many ages through young and old.