Mather hopes to see BBC Alba on Freeview

The BBC Trust is currently reviewing the performance and transmission arrangements of Scotland’s Gaelic television service, BBC Alba.

Form the start of the service there has been resentment that its forced exclusion from transmission on Freeview has prevented it from building its audience.

As a minority language it will never have a majority audience but its programming has been inventive, surprising and attractive. It has been free from many of the cliches its critics had predicted and it has shown an interest in the experimental. It is far from teuchtervision.

The proposal is now at last to switch BBC Alba from its present satellite providers to Freeview. This is what the BBC Trust is considering.

This development is welcomed by Argyll’s MSP Jim Mather, saying: ‘Since its launch BBC Alba has built up an impressive reputation for the production of high quality programmes.

‘However, the station is currently only available on Sky, on Freesat and, for those who with the technology, on BBC iPlayer either live or for seven days after the initial broadcast.

‘The proposal to make this unique facility, the first multi-genre channel to come entirely from Scotland, available to a much wider audience by switching it to Freeview is presently under review by the BBC Trust.

‘The move has generated a great deal of interest and enthusiasm  in the Highlands and beyond and Highland Council has already indicated its support for such a move. There is a quid pro quo in that switching this channel to Freeview, in Scotland only,  would mean that BBC radio programmes would eventually drop from Freeview between the transmission times of 1700 and 2300 to provide the necessary channel space.

‘BBC Alba is jointly funded by MG Alba and the BBC. While the partnership runs this channel, Gaelic programming will continue on BBC2, at least until the digital switchover takes place in 2010.

‘Those interested in indicating support for this action may care to contact the Chairman of the BBC Trust, Mr Michael Lyons, by letter, text or e-mail. Contact details are currently being advertised on BBC TV channels’.

Those wishing to be part of the consultation process should use the following links:

• Gaelic language
• English language