TVM+

TVM+ is a Maltese terrestrial television channel operated by Public Broadcasting Services (PBS), Malta's national public broadcaster. The service is the present form of a channel whose origins lie in Education 22, commonly known as E22, an educational television initiative established by Malta's Ministry of Education, Employment and the Family. Its first broadcasts began on 18 October 1996 following an initiative by Charles Xuereb, with a live transmission from the National Library in Valletta. The channel's institutional responsibility changed in March 2012, when it was transferred from the Ministry of Education to PBS. It subsequently began broadcasting as TVM2 on 8 March 2012. This transition placed the service within the national broadcaster's operating structure and gave it a clearer relationship with the wider TVM television portfolio. While the main TVM service offers a broader mix of programming, TVM2 was positioned around educational material, news, and coverage of public affairs. Following a restructuring of PBS operations, the channel adopted the name TVMNews+ from October 2021. The rebranding emphasized its news-oriented role, although the service continued to carry educational and cultural material. The new name attracted criticism, and in September 2024 the channel adopted the shorter name TVM+. The change restored a closer naming relationship with TVM while retaining the channel's distinct role within the broadcaster's portfolio. TVM+ primarily presents news and educational programming. Its educational output includes direct-learning programmes dealing with Maltese history and culture, while its news and current-affairs coverage addresses events of public interest. The channel also broadcasts a nightly news bulletin in Maltese Sign Language for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers, supporting the public-service accessibility function of the station. News content may also be provided in English. On occasion, TVM+ carries special annual programming, including coverage associated with football and festivals. The channel's principal identity is therefore that of a public-service complementary network rather than a general entertainment outlet. Its programming combines information, learning, cultural coverage, accessibility services, and selected event broadcasts. As an active PBS service, TVM+ forms part of Malta's domestic television infrastructure and serves a primarily Maltese audience.

TVM+ traces its history to Education 22, usually abbreviated as E22, an educational television service operated by Malta's Ministry of Education, Employment and the Family. The service was initiated by Charles Xuereb and began broadcasting on 18 October 1996. Its opening transmission was broadcast live from the National Library in Valletta, establishing a channel whose principal purpose was educational rather than general entertainment. The channel remained associated with the education authorities until March 2012, when responsibility was transferred to Public Broadcasting Services, Malta's national broadcaster. The transfer integrated the service into PBS's broadcasting operations and was followed by a relaunch under the name TVM2 on 8 March 2012. The TVM2 identity distinguished the channel from the main TVM network while placing both services within the same public-broadcasting family. TVM2 developed a programming profile focused primarily on news and education. Its output included programmes intended for direct learning and material about Maltese history and culture. It also carried current-events coverage and other public-interest broadcasts. In addition, the channel provided a nightly news bulletin in Maltese Sign Language for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers. English-language news content was also part of its output. Certain special broadcasts, including football and festival coverage, could appear on the channel on an annual or occasional basis. A restructuring of PBS operations led to another identity change in October 2021, when the service began broadcasting as TVMNews+. The new name highlighted the channel's news function, but the service continued its broader combination of news, educational, cultural, and accessibility programming. The renaming was criticized, and in September 2024 the channel adopted the name TVM+. This latest identity linked it more directly to TVM while retaining its role as a distinct complementary channel. Today, TVM+ is an active Maltese terrestrial television service. Its history reflects a progression from a government educational initiative to a PBS-operated public-service channel with a mixed information and learning mandate. Rather than competing primarily as a commercial entertainment network, it functions as a specialist component of Malta's national broadcasting system, providing news, educational content, cultural material, accessible information services, and selected special-event coverage.

• 2024

  Renaming as TVM+

  [1]TVM+en.wikipedia.org

  The channel adopts the TVM+ name in September after criticism of the TVMNews+ branding.

• 2021

  Renaming as TVMNews+

  [1]TVM+en.wikipedia.org

  The service adopts the TVMNews+ identity following a restructuring of PBS operations.

• 2012

  Transfer to Public Broadcasting Services

  [1]TVM+en.wikipedia.org

  Responsibility for the service moves from the Ministry of Education to Malta's national broadcaster, Public Broadcasting Services.

• 2012

  Launch as TVM2

  [1]TVM+en.wikipedia.org

  The channel begins broadcasting under the TVM2 name on 8 March.

• 1996

  Education 22 begins broadcasting

  [1]TVM+en.wikipedia.org

  The channel's predecessor, Education 22 or E22, begins broadcasts on 18 October with a live transmission from the National Library in Valletta.

A Maltese public-service television channel centered on news, education, culture, and accessible information programming.

• Broadcast programming

  News programming

  TVM+ provides news and current-affairs coverage as a central part of its public-service role. The channel also carries an English version of news programming and a nightly bulletin in Maltese Sign Language intended for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers.

• Educational television · 1996

  Educational programming

  Educational output is a defining part of the channel's heritage, extending back to its origins as Education 22. Programmes include direct-learning material and content focused on Maltese history and culture.

• Event television

  Special-event broadcasts

  In addition to its regular news and educational schedule, TVM+ sometimes broadcasts special programming connected with football and festivals, generally on an annual or occasional basis.

• 2024

  Adopt the TVM+ identityStrategy

  Background

  The TVMNews+ name attracted criticism after its introduction.

  Action taken

  The channel began using the shorter TVM+ name in September 2024.

  Aftermath

  The service returned to a closer naming relationship with TVM while continuing as a distinct news-and-education channel.

  Source

• 2021

  Rebrand as TVMNews+Strategy

  Background

  PBS restructured its operations and revised the identity of the channel previously known as TVM2.

  Action taken

  The service began broadcasting under the TVMNews+ name from October 2021.

  Aftermath

  The identity placed greater emphasis on the channel's news role, although educational and cultural programming continued.

  Source

• 2012

  Move the channel into the PBS portfolioStrategy

  Background

  The service had operated as an educational television initiative under Malta's Ministry of Education.

  Action taken

  Responsibility was transferred to Public Broadcasting Services in March 2012, followed by a relaunch as TVM2 on 8 March.

  Aftermath

  The channel became part of the national broadcaster's television operations while retaining a focus on education, news, and public-interest programming.

  Source

1. 1TVM+en.wikipedia.org
2. 2TVM television service pagetvm.com.mt