News > 2009

14 September 2009

BBC ALBA UNVEILS A PREMIER PACKAGE OF NEW PROGRAMMES AT AUTUMN LAUNCH

BBC ALBA’s autumn programme launch was celebrated today (Monday) at BBC Scotland, Pacific Quay, Glasgow, with an exciting schedule of new programmes being unveiled.

A host of television stars joined leading figures from BBC ALBA including, popular Gaelic broadcaster Cathy MacDonald and Tony Kearney, producer and actor best known for his role as Scott Wallace in River City.

Also in attendance was the youngest addition to the channel this year, 21-year-old Derek MacIntosh from North Uist, who will be presenting the award winning children’s programme Dè a-nis?


Autumn Launch
Derek MacIntosh, Cathy MacDonald and Tony Kearney celebrate the launch of BBC ALBA’s autumn programme launch.

The premier package of new programmes provides a range of high quality, distinctive, Scottish programming covering the full spectrum of genres, including daily news, documentaries and drama, factual series covering current affairs and religion, entertainment and lifestyle, music, children and youth programming as well as sports coverage.

Alan Esslemont, Head of Content for BBC ALBA, said: “We have had a good start to the channel since it was launched last year and are extremely excited about the quality and diversity of new programmes and documentaries coming up over the new season. BBC ALBA serves Scottish broadcasting well with high quality home produced programming providing a premier package which is attractive to both the Gaelic and Scotland-wide audiences.”

Margaret Mary Murray, Head of Service for BBC ALBA, said: “The channel plays a key role in promoting the Gaelic language, making it accessible to a national audience and giving it a main stream context. We are delighted to be launching the new autumn season of programmes which is extremely appealing, ranging from the light-hearted entertainment and lifestyle strands to some challenging and emotional documentaries.”

Alasdair Morrison, Chairman of MG ALBA said: “We have been encouraged by the viewers’ appetite across Scotland for home-produced programmes available on BBC ALBA. One of our key priorities is to make the channel available on Freeview in order to make the channel available to all households in Scotland.

“As an organisation we are fully committed to the development of Gaelic and encouraging a new generation of Gaelic speakers, and providing channel access for all is an imperative step towards this development.”

Donalda MacKinnon, Head of Programmes and Services, BBC Scotland, said: "We are delighted to be celebrating the channel's first birthday and the success that it has proven to be for audiences in Scotland. This is in no small part down to the creative talent in Scotland and their hard working commitment to serving audiences by making the very best content, some of which has been highlighted today. The leadership under the current partnership arrangement involving BBC Scotland and MG ALBA is also to be congratulated on the success to date."

BBC ALBA is a partnership service between MG ALBA, the Gaelic Media Service and the BBC. The channel broadcasts up to seven hours of programmes a day and is available on Sky channel 168 and Freesat channel 110. BBC ALBA content is also available on iplayer.