MG Alba and the BBC have announced the name and launch date for the Gaelic digital TV service. The new service, BBC Alba, will launch on 19 September 2008 at 9pm. MG Alba is the operating name of Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig (Gaelic Media Service). The name stands for Meadhanan Gàidhlig Alba, or Gaelic Media Scotland. The service will broadcast under a BBC licence.
BBC Alba will be available on satellite and cable throughout the United Kingdom, with content also available online. It will also be available on Freeview, in Scotland only, after digital switchover, subject to review by the BBC Trust.
To find out more about how the partnership works visit bbc.co.uk/alba.
(Source: BBC Press Office)
on Aug 13th, 2008 at 11:00
Trade test transmissions began yesterday at 11:00 UTC, indeed as I type this they’re running Gaelic kids programming.
on Aug 23rd, 2008 at 13:00
Excellent news. But may I make a plea for those outside Scotland that continued broadcasting after digital switchover is retained on Freeview throughout the UK and not just in Scotland. Many of us are interested not just in the beautiful music and culture, but also the language itself and the sounds as well which can best be be complemented by the pictures provided by TV channel. Surely peakers of the ‘Gaidhlig’ - do not wish to be regarded as such a special interest group that these programmes are reserved for them alone?
A similar policy of restricting broadcasting by RTE of their Gaeilige TV channel has not really served the task of protecting their language, whereas the benefits of the freely available and well distributed programmes of S4C has clearly been of great benefit to all in Wales, not just those advocating Welsh language.
on Aug 25th, 2008 at 03:07
i suppose if two old men and a dog have nothing better to do it will double the ratings, waste of taxpayers money.
on Aug 25th, 2008 at 08:26
I think you will find that the BBC is funded through a TV licence fee, not through taxation
on Oct 2nd, 2008 at 17:14
Please may I add my support to the comments by Tim Mervyn. I have been attending short courses at Sabhal Mor Ostaig for a number of years and access to BBC Alba would be a real boost for me.
As for the comments by northernoik, well his nickname says it all, doesn’t it?