U Communications Ltd yesterday announced that it would be launching a socio-religious television station. UTV will be the first commercial TV station to transmit live Maltese programmes dealing with religious and social topics such as prayer, helpline and transmitting a live daily Mass subject with the Archdiocese of Malta’s permission, consultant Anthony Bonello said.

U Communications Ltd reached agreement with Maltacom and is to start testing its transmission from 1 July between noon and midnight on the Multiplus digital platform.

Some of the programmes will be person-oriented and of material assistance to viewers. Through a prominent role that will be given to phone-ins, the programmes will give an opportunity to viewers who will be encouraged to participate by expressing their feelings, asking questions and sharing their experiences.

The TV station will be mainly run by volunteers, especially University Communications students, who will be given an unprecedented opportunity to produce and direct television programmes. The company will also employ some full-time staff while professional and experienced journalists and producers are already training the volunteers.

UTV will be run on Christian values. The main aim of the station is to help those in need in Malta. Only news of natural interest will be broadcast, partisan politics will be given only minimal importance.

The UTV studios in Luqa are the largest ever built in Malta with the possibility of transmitting on various channels at once. An outside broadcasting unit is also going to be used for the coming summer programmes schedule for live coverage of popular village feasts and a daily Mass and rosary recital from various locations and churches.

Edgar Bonnici Cachia, director of U Communications Ltd and Fr John Farrugia from Nghinu lil Hutna foundation were present at a news conference which announced the new station.