Mr Bonnici Cachia said UTV will be aired on cable TV and will begin broadcasting on a test basis as from January. Normal broadcasts should start by end March or the beginning of April.

The station is wholly owned by Fr John Farrugia, founder of Fondazzjoni Nghinu lil Hutna fil-Bzonn, a charity organisation. Fr Farrugia, who used to present social solidarity programmes on local TV, will have two two-hour slots daily between Monday and Friday. The two slots, 2pm to 4pm and 10pm to midnight, will be dedicated to social problems.

Inspired by an article carried on The Malta Independent saying that 40,000 people have phoned Appogg on its helpline 179, Fr Farrugia said his programme will also feature a helpline and that calls will not be carried live. To this end, the foundation called for people who are ready to help out with the programme on a voluntary basis to attend a seminar it is organising at Suncrest Hotel, Qawra on 16 December between 9am and 4pm. Those who are interested should call on 21 22 09 36 or 79 20 84 56 by Friday 15 December. Fr Farrugia said UTV will give airtime to people who normally do not benefit from it.

Mr Bonnici Cachia said the station will be based in Luqa and has three studios, one 60 feet by 30 feet, another 30 feet by 30 feet, and a 30 feet by 18 feet studios equipped with state of the art equipment. He added the station owns an Outside Broadcasting Unit (OBU) also.

The director said UTV will not limit itself to socio-educational programmes but its spheres of interest will also include religion, drama, sports, culture, news, quizzes, current affairs, discussions, and family and children’s programmes. He said UTV does not have any political affiliation and confirmed that it will not air political adverts.