A new commercial television station planning to air socio-religious programmes will start test transmissions on July 1 and regular broadcasts in October.

UTV (You TV) will be transmitted digitally via Multiplus, a Maltacom subsidiary.

The station is owned by Fr Gwann Farrugia, who is quite well-known to viewers as he has been buying airtime on various stations to present programmes of a socio-religious nature.

Fr Farrugia set up a foundation offering assistance to people in need. The foundation will also produce its own programmes for the station.

Edgar Bonnici Cachia, director of U Communications Ltd, told a press conference yesterday the station's content will be mainly religious but will also include programmes of general interest.

The station will steer clear of partisan politics and will only air items of a political nature if they appeal to the national interest, he added. No political discussions will be screened.

A quick tour of the new station situated on the outskirts of Luqa revealed modern studios and related facilities, which Mr Bonnici Cachia said made UTV the largest television station in Malta. UTV is equipped with a 60ftx60ft studio and a smaller 30ftx30ft one.

It will be employing a small nucleus of full-time workers, as well as undergraduates. Over 40 people are already involved in work for UTV under professional coaches working in the media, he said.

The management has applied to the Curia to transmit Mass daily on the new station which is also equipped with an outside broadcasting unit. Initially the station will be on air from noon to midnight.

Mr Bonnici Cachia invited Church, religious organisations and cultural associations to make use of the channel.

Anthony Bonello, a consultant for the station, said UTV's news service will be provided through an agreement with di-ve.com.

The station's policy was based on three concepts: To give a voice to people in need; to strengthen Christian values and to provide fresh opportunities to individuals who wish to work in the media.