Albanian Media in America
Albanian-language media in America is older than Albania’s own independence. From the 1909 founding of Dielli to today’s community television, radio, magazines, and podcasts, it has kept Albanian Americans informed and connected. The Census Bureau counts 228,504 people of Albanian ancestry in the United States (ACS 5-year estimates, 2020 to 2024).
Notable Albanian-American Publications
These outlets have chronicled Albanian-American life for generations. We are glad to point our readers to the community’s other publications, past and present.
First published in Boston on 15 February 1909 by the Besa-Besë society, with Fan S. Noli directing the first issues and Faik Konica as editor from October 1909. It became Vatra’s newspaper when the federation formed in 1912 and still publishes online. Dielli describes itself as the oldest newspaper of the Albanian world still published in America.
The Pan-Albanian Federation of America, formed in 1912 when Albanian societies in the United States federated; Dielli’s masthead notes its recognition by Massachusetts on 13 June 1912. Vatra has published Dielli ever since.
A bilingual Albanian-American newspaper founded by Harry Bajraktari; the paper states it was established in New York in June 1991. It publishes daily news in Albanian and English at illyria.com.
A new Albanian-American magazine founded by Enri Lala and Valton Vuciterna, covering history, culture, language, and the arts. It launched its first print issue in May 2026 in the Bronx.
An Albanian-American magazine covering community life, culture, and diaspora affairs.
Albanian Television in America
Community stations and streaming services bringing Albanian programming to the diaspora.
Albanian community television for metro Detroit. Its website was not reachable when we checked in September 2026.
Albanian-language television based in Troy, Michigan. Its website lists a nightly 8 to 10 PM block on Comcast channel 90 in Michigan and 24 hour carriage on streaming platforms.
A US and Canada-licensed streaming service carrying more than 250 Albanian channels from Albania and Kosovo, watchable on Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, and mobile with no dish required.
The Voice of America’s Albanian-language service. Its website was still online when we checked on 21 September 2026, but the newest front page stories were dated 15 March 2025.
Albanian Radio in America
Local hours and internet stations keeping music, talk, and community news on the air.
Described as one of the country’s longest-running Albanian radio programs, airing weekly with local community news and news from Albania.
An online Albanian music station for the diaspora. Its TuneIn page showed the station as no longer available when we checked in September 2026.
A Chicago-based Albanian community radio program featuring interviews and community content, active largely through its social channels.
Podcasts & Digital Creators
A new generation reaching Albanian-Americans where they already are.
Hosted by Albanian-American attorney Elizabeth Vulaj, with in-depth interviews about the careers and journeys of Albanian professionals, aimed at young diaspora talent.
Hosted by Lorena Culaj, spotlighting Albanians and Albanian-Americans doing interesting work, with a fun fact of Albanian history in every episode.
An Albanian-American stand-up comedian whose short clips on Albanian culture and traditions have found a wide following online.
A comedic podcast by Bronx-raised Albanian-American comedian Leonarda Jonie, with personal stories and topical commentary.
How to Watch Albanian TV in the USA
There are three legal ways to watch Albanian TV in the United States: the free live streams and apps that broadcasters in Albania and Kosovo run themselves, a licensed subscription service that bundles many Albanian channels for North America, and, in Michigan, local Albanian programming on cable. We checked each option on the provider’s own website on 13 October 2026. Prices, channel lists and availability change, so confirm the details on the provider’s site before you pay.
1. Free streams from the broadcasters
Several national broadcasters put their channels online at no charge. These are the official routes we found:
- RTSH, Albania’s public broadcaster: its own platform, RTSH Tani, is an app for phones, tablets, smart TVs and set top boxes. According to RTSH’s terms of use, it carries RTSH’s live TV and radio channels to devices worldwide, keeps up to 7 days of catch up, and requires you to register an account.
- RTK, Radio Television of Kosovo: the RTK website has live stream pages for RTK1, RTK2, RTK3 and RTK4 and for Radio Kosova, starting from the RTK1 live page.
- Top Channel: the channel’s website has a Top News LIVE page.
- Klan Kosova: the Kosovo channel’s website has a “Shiko Live” (Watch Live) link to its live TV page.
- TV Klan (Albania): we could not load tvklan.al when we checked, so we cannot describe its current live options.
Vizion Plus, ABC News Albania and Euronews Albania also run live pages; see the table further down this page. A live page does not guarantee that every program will play in the US. RTSH’s terms, for example, say it may add or remove channels depending on broadcasting rights.
2. Subscription services for North America
TVALB is the subscription service most often searched for by Albanian households in the US. On its website it describes itself as a licensed Albanian TV service for the United States and Canada with more than 250 channels, and it names DigitAlb, Tring, ArtMotion and Kujtesa among its channel sources. When we checked, it listed three monthly plans: Premium 3-in-1 with 250 channels at $18.33, Basic 3-in-1 with 150 channels at $11.66, and a Phone Package at $7.66. The 3-in-1 plans include video on demand and 7 days of catch up and work on up to three devices in the same family.
The site lists apps for Apple TV, Android TV, Samsung and LG smart TVs, Amazon and Roku devices, and Android and iOS phones, plus its own TVALB 4K Box, which it says comes free with 6 or 12 month plans. It offers a three day free trial. You subscribe on the website by choosing a plan and paying by card, after which login details arrive by email; the site also accepts orders by phone or in person at its store in the Bronx. See the TVALB listing in our directory.
The licensing statement is the company’s own. We did not find a partner list on the DigitAlb or Tring websites that would let us confirm it independently.
DigitAlb and Tring, the two Albanian pay TV platforms, also sell internet (OTT) packages directly. DigitAlb’s website says its app works “nga kudo që ti ndodhesh” (wherever you are) and offers a 5 day free trial after registration. Tring’s website offers an OTT package with a 7 day free trial and apps for iOS, Android and some smart TVs. Neither site says whether these packages can be bought or watched from the United States, so ask their customer service before you pay.
3. Albanian-American TV in Michigan
ALB TV USA, also called Albanian TV of America, is based in Troy, Michigan. Its website lists a prime time block from 8 to 10 PM every day on Comcast channel 90 across Michigan, and round the clock channels on the Shqip TV (channel 15), Tibo (channel 265) and TVALB (channel 35) platforms. See the ALB TV USA listing in our directory. For the community it serves, see our guide to Albanians in Michigan.
| Option | What you get | Cost, as listed when checked | Devices | How to sign up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broadcaster streams (RTSH Tani, RTK, Top Channel, Klan Kosova) | That broadcaster’s own channels | Free; RTSH Tani needs an account | Web browser; RTSH Tani also on phones, smart TVs and set top boxes | Open the live page, or register in the RTSH Tani app |
| TVALB | 150 to 250+ channels from Albania and Kosovo, video on demand, 7 day catch up | $7.66 to $18.33 a month | Roku, Amazon, Apple TV, Android TV, Samsung and LG TVs, phones, TVALB box | Website, phone or Bronx store; 3 day free trial |
| DigitAlb or Tring OTT | The platform’s own packages | See provider | Apps and smart TVs | Online registration; 5 day (DigitAlb) and 7 day (Tring) free trials; US availability not stated |
| ALB TV USA | Albanian-American programming from Michigan | Comcast cable in Michigan; streaming platforms vary | Cable box; partner platforms | Through Comcast, or the partner platforms named on its site |
Is Albanian IPTV legal?
It depends on who holds the rights. A service is legal when the broadcasters or their distributors have licensed it to carry their channels in your country. Many cheap IPTV apps and boxes sold online carry Albanian channels without that permission. In the United States, running such a service for profit is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. 2319C, added by the Protecting Lawful Streaming Act of 2020; the law is aimed at operators rather than viewers. Before you subscribe, check that the service names a company and an address, and that the channels it advertises match what the broadcaster or platform says about its own distribution. In Albania, the Audiovisual Media Authority (AMA) publishes registers of authorized OTT and IPTV providers.
Albanian-Language News and TV You Can Watch in the US
If you are looking for Albanian news from the United States, you have two kinds of sources: diaspora outlets that report on Albanian-American life, and the national broadcasters of Albania and Kosovo, several of which stream on their own websites. The table lists only official channels, checked on each outlet’s own site on 21 September 2026. We describe what each site offers and nothing more; availability can change, and some programs may be limited by broadcast rights outside Albania.
| Outlet | Type | Based in | How to access, per its own site | Official link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dielli (The Sun) | Albanian-American newspaper, Albanian and English | United States (published by Vatra) | News website; newest articles were dated September 2026 when checked | gazetadielli.com |
| Illyria | Albanian-American newspaper, Albanian and English | New York, NY | News website; front page stories were dated 21 September 2026 when checked | illyria.com |
| Albanian TV of America | Community television | Troy, MI | Site lists a nightly block on Comcast channel 90 in Michigan and 24 hour carriage on streaming platforms | albtvusa.com |
| RTSH (Radio Televizioni Shqiptar) | Public broadcaster of Albania | Tirana, Albania | RTSH Tani, its own app for phones, tablets, smart TVs and set top boxes, with live TV and radio channels and catch up of up to 7 days; you register an account in the app | rtsh.al |
| Top Channel | National private TV | Albania | “Top News LIVE” page on its website | top-channel.tv |
| Vizion Plus | National private TV | Albania | “Live TV” page with the day’s schedule; the site describes its content as live and on demand, 24 hours | vizionplus.tv |
| ABC News Albania | News channel | Albania | “ABC LIVE” page, plus iPhone and Android apps linked from the site | abcnews.al |
| Euronews Albania | News channel | Albania | “Live” page on its website | euronews.al |
| RTK (Radio Television of Kosovo) | Public broadcaster of Kosovo | Kosovo | See the broadcaster’s website for its current live options | rtklive.com |
| TV Klan | National private TV | Albania | See the broadcaster’s website for its current live options | tvklan.al |
A practical rule for Albanian TV channels in the USA: start from the broadcaster’s own website or its own app, or from a service that the broadcaster itself names as a partner. RTSH’s terms for RTSH Tani, for example, say the platform carries the public broadcaster’s television and radio channels to devices worldwide and that RTSH may add or remove channels depending on broadcasting rights. If a stream has no visible link to the broadcaster, treat it with caution.
One change to know about: the website of VOA Albanian (Zëri i Amerikës) was still online when we checked, but the newest stories on its front page were dated 15 March 2025. Until the service posts new reporting, do not rely on it for current news.
Albanian Newspapers in America: Dielli and Illyria Today
The two best known Albanian newspapers in the US both publish online, and both had fresh stories on the day we checked. Dielli’s own history says the paper first appeared in Boston on 15 February 1909 as the newspaper of the Besa-Besë society. Fan S. Noli directed the first 29 issues, and Faik Konica took over as editor on 22 October 1909. When the Albanian societies in America federated as Vatra in 1912, Dielli became the federation’s paper, which it remains; its masthead reads “Since 1909” and describes it as an Albanian American newspaper devoted to the intellectual and cultural advancement of Albanians in America. Dielli describes itself as the oldest newspaper of the Albanian world still published in America. So the paper is three years older than Vatra, not founded by it.
Illyria states on its website that it was established in June 1991 as “the Albanian-American newspaper” and gives a Manhattan address on 8th Avenue. It publishes in Albanian and English, and on the day we checked its front page mixed news from Kosovo with diaspora stories such as the first Albanian festival on Staten Island. For more on the communities these papers cover, see our guides to Albanians in New York, Albanians in Boston and the history of Albanians in New York. Community groups are listed in our guide to Albanian organizations.
How to Tell a Reliable Albanian News Source
Albanian-language media is crowded, and stories travel fast on social media. A few checks help, whatever language you read in:
- Who publishes it? A reliable outlet names its publisher, editor and a contact address. Dielli names Vatra; Illyria gives its New York office; RTSH publishes its legal address and tax number in its terms of use.
- Is it licensed where it broadcasts? Albania’s Audiovisual Media Authority (AMA) publishes registers of licensed and authorized television, radio, cable, satellite and internet (OTT and IPTV) providers, and runs a Complaints Council for viewers.
- Is the story dated and sourced? Look for a date, a named author or agency, and a link or reference to the original document, court ruling or statement.
- Does a second outlet confirm it? For major stories from Albania or Kosovo, compare a public broadcaster with a private one before you share.
- News or opinion? Diaspora papers carry a lot of commentary. Opinion pieces are valuable, but they are not reporting.
- Is it current? Check the date of the newest post. A site can stay online long after it stops publishing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Albanian Media in America
How far back does Albanian-American media go?
Albanian-language media in America predates Albania’s own independence. The newspaper Dielli was launched in Boston in 1909, and the Pan-Albanian Federation Vatra grew up around it in 1912. For a century, print papers like Dielli and later Illyria held a scattered community together; today the landscape spans community and streaming television, radio, magazines, podcasts, and social media.
What is the oldest Albanian-American newspaper?
Dielli (The Sun), first published in Boston on 15 February 1909, is the oldest. Fan S. Noli directed its first issues and Faik Konica became editor in October 1909. Dielli describes itself as the oldest newspaper of the Albanian world still published in America. It has been the newspaper of Vatra, the Pan-Albanian Federation of America, since 1912 and publishes online today.
What Albanian TV channels can I watch in the United States?
Several national broadcasters stream on their own sites or apps, including RTSH (RTSH Tani), RTK, Top Channel, Klan Kosova, Vizion Plus, ABC News Albania and Euronews Albania. TVALB, a subscription service, lists 150 to 250+ Albanian channels for the US and Canada. In Michigan, Albanian TV of America (ALB TV USA) airs nightly on Comcast channel 90. See How to Watch Albanian TV in the USA above.
Is there Albanian radio in the United States?
Yes, mostly as weekly community programs and social media broadcasts rather than full time stations. RTSH also carries its radio channels in its RTSH Tani app. Check that a program is still on air before tuning in, because several older internet stations have gone quiet.
What do Albanian-American media outlets cover?
They cover what matters to the diaspora: news from Albania, Kosovo, and the wider Albanian world; immigration, politics, and policy; business and professional profiles; sports, music, and culture; religious and community events; and community milestones from weddings to obituaries. Most publish in Albanian, with a growing share in English to reach second- and third-generation readers.
How can businesses reach Albanian-American audiences through media?
Community media offers trusted, targeted access to an engaged audience. Advertising in established outlets like Dielli or Illyria, appearing on community television and radio, partnering with Albanian podcasters and social creators, and listing in a community directory such as the ALB Connection business directory are all effective ways to reach the community year-round.
Where can I read Albanian news in English?
Dielli and Illyria both publish in Albanian and English on their websites, and both carried new stories when we checked in September 2026. Dielli is the newspaper of Vatra, the Pan-Albanian Federation of America, and Illyria describes itself as the Albanian-American newspaper, established in New York in June 1991. For news from Albania itself, the national broadcasters mostly publish in Albanian.
What are the main Albanian newspapers in the United States?
The two long running titles are Dielli, first published in Boston on 15 February 1909 and owned by Vatra since the federation formed in 1912, and Illyria, which states it was established in June 1991 in New York. Both now publish mainly online. Newer magazines and community television and radio programs add local coverage in Michigan, New York and other states.
Can I watch RTSH in the USA?
RTSH, Albania’s public broadcaster, runs its own platform called RTSH Tani. Its terms of use describe an app for phones, tablets, smart TVs and set top boxes that carries RTSH’s live television and radio channels to devices worldwide, with catch up for up to 7 days. You register an account in the app, and RTSH says channels can change with broadcasting rights.
What is TV ALB?
TVALB is a subscription streaming service aimed at Albanian households in the United States and Canada. On its website the company describes itself as a licensed platform that carries DigitAlb and other Albanian media providers, with apps for smart TVs, streaming boxes and phones. That is the company’s own description; check its site for the current channel list and terms before you subscribe.
Is VOA Albanian still broadcasting?
When we checked on 21 September 2026, the VOA Albanian website (Zëri i Amerikës) was online, but the newest stories on its front page were dated 15 March 2025. We found no newer reporting on the site. Readers who followed its Ditari program should look to other Albanian-language outlets for current news until the service publishes again.
How can I watch Albanian TV in the USA?
Use one of three legal routes: the free live pages and apps of the broadcasters themselves (RTSH Tani, RTK, Top Channel, Klan Kosova and others), a subscription service licensed for North America such as TVALB, or, in Michigan, ALB TV USA on Comcast channel 90. Check each provider’s own site for current prices and channels.
Can I watch RTK live from America?
RTK’s website has live stream pages for RTK1, RTK2, RTK3, RTK4 and Radio Kosova. Some programs may not play outside Kosovo because of broadcast rights, so test the stream before relying on it for a particular match or show.
Is TVALB on Roku?
Yes. TVALB’s website lists apps for Roku, Amazon devices, Apple TV, Android TV, Samsung and LG smart TVs and Android and iOS phones, plus its own TVALB 4K Box. When we checked in October 2026 it offered a three day free trial and plans from $7.66 to $18.33 a month.
What is ALB TV USA?
ALB TV USA, also called Albanian TV of America, is an Albanian-language broadcaster in Troy, Michigan. Its website lists a nightly 8 to 10 PM block on Comcast channel 90 across Michigan and round the clock channels on the Shqip TV, Tibo and TVALB platforms.
Is Albanian IPTV legal in the US?
Only when the service is licensed to carry the channels it shows. Running an unlicensed streaming service for profit is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. 2319C, which targets operators rather than viewers. A free broadcaster stream or a service that names its licensing and its company details is the safer choice.
Does ALB Connection follow editorial standards?
Yes. ALB Connection verifies facts against primary sources, cites where its figures come from, corrects errors promptly, and keeps news separate from advertising.
Sources
- Dielli | The Sun: Home page and masthead
- Dielli | The Sun: Sot ditëlindja, “Dielli” u bë 112 vjeç
- Illyria: Home page
- Albanian TV of America: Home page
- RTSH: Kushtet e përdorimit “RTSH Tani”
- Top Channel: Top News LIVE
- Vizion Plus: Live TV
- ABC News Albania: Home page
- Euronews Albania: Live
- Zëri i Amerikës (VOA Albanian): Home page
- TVALB: Home page
- Autoriteti i Mediave Audiovizive (AMA): Registers of licensed providers and Complaints Council
- RTK: RTK1 Live
- Klan Kosova: Live TV
- TV Klan: Home page
- DigitAlb: Home page (OTT and app)
- Tring: Home page (OTT package)
- Legal Information Institute: 18 U.S. Code 2319C, Illicit digital transmission services
Explore more: our guide to the Albanian population in the United States, the Albanian & Kosovo Consulate Guide, and the Albanian business directory.
