Public Broadcasting Services Limited (PBS; ) is the public broadcaster of Malta. PBS is funded by government grants and the sale of commercial airtime. Its TVM channel is Malta's most watched television channel, and its radio station Magic Malta enjoys huge popularity among local and foreign listeners.
Each year on 13 December, PBS hosts an open day, where the public takes a visit in the building and have a look at the sets of the channels and radios.
History
PBS was founded on 11 November 1975 as Xandir Malta and became joint member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) together with the Maltese Broadcasting Authority (MBA). The latter was previously admitted as a full, active member, as Malta Television Service Ltd already has been, in 1970. Since 2003, PBS is the sole Maltese member of EBU.
Prior to Xandir Malta, Rediffusion broadcast television programmes in Malta under the name The Malta Television Service Ltd. The service was run by Rediffusion, a London-based independent broadcaster.[1] Transmissions in Malta started from Hamrun on 11 November 1935 under the name of "Broadcast Relay Service Malta Ltd." Charles Whotcroft and George Powler were the first manager and chief engineer respectively.[2]