A mixture of new programmes and old favourites will characterise NET TV’s new autumn schedule, which was recently launched at the Intercontinental Hotel in St Julian’s.
The autumn schedule also introduces a series of new presenters as well as the return to the station of other presenters.
J. Anvil, Carmen Mifsud, Frida Cauchi and Carlo Borg Bonaci have all joined the station’s ranks, while well-known presenters Gianni Zammit, Claudette Pace and Rennie Vella have returned to NET TV. Other innovations include the teaming-up of Roderick Agius with Antonella Vassallo on the discussion programme Arena and the return of the fun programme Zinners, after an absence.
Other programmes are back following positive viewership feedback in the past months, said NET TV head of programmes Frederick Zammit.
He added that NET also carried out a number of trial programmes, including one for Carlo Borg Bonaci’s new quiz, Kontra l-Hin, and the station was happy with the results. Moreover, a number of foreign programmes will also be included in the new schedule, details of which will follow shortly, he said. NET TV is working on obtaining the rights to Joey, a series which is a spin-off of Friends, broadcast in the previous schedules.
The new autumn schedule is the first by the new team composed of media manager Louiselle Vassallo and head of programmes Frederick Zammit.
The emphasis is on entertainment for the whole family, said Mr Zammit. “We will start the day with Claudette Pace on Sellili as a breakfast show. Teleshopping has been moved to the morning, allowing us to provide viewers with a continuity of programmes. Every day at noon we have a variety of programmes throughout the week including Sijju, Donne, which aims to attract women of all ages, House Magazine, a new programme of interest to all house lovers and Eat O’Clock, a cooking programme.”
Bonaci Media Entertainment also return with Kollox ma’ Kollox, the daily afternoon magazine programme which will be broadcast at 14.00, Nofs Siegha Kollox, which is a continuation of Kollox ma’ Kollox and is broadcast at 18.15, and Kollox Sibt which offers entertainment for all the family and is broadcast on Saturdays between 14.10 and 19.30.
At prime time it’s a new season of It-Tieg, which focuses on weddings, followed by Koppji Koppji, an entertaining programme with games between couples: engaged couples,
married couples, neighbours, work colleagues or simply friends. Koppji Koppji is presented by Rennie Vella and Frida Cauchi.
Following last year’s successful run, Teen Traffic, which is aimed at the younger generation, and is presented by Christabelle, is back on NET TV, this time twice a week, right after A70. On the three other days, Pauline Agius presents Teen Trouble, a new programme which aims to discuss teenagers’ favourite topics and their daily troubles. “This means that we have extended the teen programming by half-an-hour daily,” said Mr Zammit.
Carlo Borg Bonaci has also joined NET TV for a quiz programme called Kontra l-Hin. This daily quiz gives competitors the opportunity of winning prize money every day.
Monday nights on NET TV have traditionally been dedicated to drama projects such as F’Bahar Wiehed, It-Tfal Jigu bl-Vapuri and Ingropp-pi. “This year it’s Santa Monika, which is being produced by Image 2000 Ltd. With a cast of 150, Santa Monika will follow the intrigues of the inmates and wardens at the correctional facility of Santa Monika.”
Some favourites are also back. The reality TV show Net Stars now focuses on the players in the third division league. NET will also be presenting a new season of Nies Ta’ Veru, the health issues programme Klinika and Modern Lifestyles, which focuses on fashion.
The schedule also includes programmes with a more serious tone. Newsroom on Monday nights, is followed by the new documentary series entitled Storja ta’ Poplu, a series of documentaries covering the political history of the Maltese people since the foundation of political parties, around 125 years ago.
Louise Tedesco presents Direzzjoni Wahda on Tuesdays. This is a programme intended to show viewers how to make the best out of existing opportunities in the EU.
Wednesday’s prime time is dedicated to Mil-Lenti Tieghek. This is a new discussion programme which will go into what is on the nation’s agenda and how this is affecting the general public.
On Thursdays, Joe Grima will be back with a new season of the popular discussion programme Opinjonisti, while on Fridays, Roderick Agius joins Antonella Vassallo for the second edition of the discussion programme Arena, with each programme linked to the investigation of a real case that happened in Malta. This year Arena will be broadcast from 20.30.
NET News will continue to be broadcast at the usual times. The only change is the last news bulletin, which will now be aired at 23.30 rather than 23.00. “This will give us the opportunity of providing viewers with more programmes, up to 23.30,” said Mr Zammit.
The TV station also plans to repeat It-Tfal Jigu bil-Vapuri. “This drama was originally shown two years ago and was never repeated. We are currently planning to start filming the second season which will be aired early next year. Therefore it is appropriate that the series should be shown again,” said Mr Zammit.
Sunday is an important day in NET TV’s schedule, he said. A new season of the socio-religious programme Haddiehor will be broadcast at noon. At 14.00, Claire Agius Ordway hosts a new season of Chatroom, the youth discussion programme, with new young people who have been chosen through a number of auditions. At 16.20 Gianni joins NET for Virus... while at 17.00 Louise Tedesco and J Anvil present the dance competition Bailando. And the motoring programme Paqpaq is back on NET, with more exclusive footage. At 20.30 watch out for Zinners... you never know when they will turn up. Then it’s the sports programme Replay for another year of discussion and exclusive footage.
“Following the recent official launch of the new schedule, I am extremely happy with the positive feedback we received from our clients as well as prospective new clients,” said Mr Zammit. “The schedule is very busy, leading from one programme to another. We are also already working on other programmes starting next year. These include new episodes of One Star Hotel and It-Tfal Jigu bil-Vapuri and there are more programmes which will also be announced shortly.”
Virus
Virus is a contagious TV series which will hit NET TV on 9 October this season. Our unique and hilarious presenter Gianni will guide you through the hottest events this winter right across the Maltese islands. Along with chemically-treated graphics and content, Virus will provide viewers with the perfect dose of arts, drama, music, gaming, web content and much more.
Sunday at 16.20
Kontra L-Hin
Carlo Borg Bonaci presents this daily show which includes five separate games. Competitors collect “time” and jokers, which are then used to determine how much time they have for the Final Game.
The aim of each competitor is to answer all 20 questions in the Final Game, using jokers they have collected to correct mistakes. What can they win? Apart from a handsome prize at the end of the series, every day Lm100 can be won, which will increase by Lm100 daily until the competitor wins the jackpot or loses a game. This means that if competitors keep up their winning streak but do not answer all 20 questions and return 15 times, they stand a chance of winning Lm1,500 or even more if the winning streak lasts longer.
Monday to Friday at 18.45
Bailando
Popular singer J. Anvil is new to NET TV this October. Together with Louise Tedesco, and with production in the hands of Janice Darmanin, this new and vibrant programme will be aired every Sunday afternoon.
From the comfort of their living rooms, viewers will enjoy a number of performances by professional dancers, as well as the excitement of a dancing contest with participants performing various styles of dance – with the participation of Maltese personalities who will test their dancing abilities on the dance floor!
Sunday at 17.00
Santa Monika
Santa Monika is a correctional facility for female prisoners. Produced by Image 2000 Ltd. Scripted by Frederick Zammit and directed by Fabian Mizzi, this new series focuses on the lives of a group of female prisoners who have been sentenced to prison.
Connie, Jessie, Paula, Ruth, Lorna, Joyce and Roxanne are some of the women prisoners, while other characters include the wardens Joanne, Henry, Charles and Cynthia, and prison director George Said.
Week after week, as the story unfolds, we get to know them and
follow the various twists in their lives.
Monday at 20.30
Koppji Koppji
Koppji Koppji is an entertaining programme with games between engaged couples, married couples, neighbours, work colleagues, or simply friends. Horoscope compatibility, the ability to do unusual physical work, and fortune may play their part in gaining or losing points. A lot of prizes can be won. The show includes features about famous couples, humorous sketches by well-known actors and a candid camera. Koppji Koppji is produced by Hermann Bonaci Productions and is presented by Frida Cauchi and Rennie Vella.
Saturday at 21.35