Newsletter January 2011

A chàirdean,

Happy New Year! We hope you enjoyed the festive programmes on BBC ALBA and that you’ll be watching with us in 2011.

Before Christmas we heard that the BBC Trust had granted permission for BBC ALBA to be shown on Freeview. This is excellent news, because it means that more people will now have the opportunity to see BBC ALBA. We are indebted to the people who have supported us throughout the campaign for Freeview, who wrote to the BBC Trust and who took part in the public consultation in 2009-10 – politicians from all parties, public bodies, sporting organisations, production companies and individual viewers. Our thanks to all of you.

We hope that BBC ALBA will also become available on cable this year, and we’ll be letting you know about the start dates for both cable and Freeview soon.

In this newsletter there’s information about the Celtic Media Festival and about the FilmG competition and how you can vote for your favourite films, and our “behind the camera” interview is with Donnie Morrison, our management accountant. And there’s also information about new programmes and live sports coverage in the coming weeks. Keep watching BBC ALBA. It’s going to be a great year.

Le gach dùrachd,

Donald Campbell
Chief Executive

 

New Programmes on BBC ALBA

Fuil nan Innseanach, Thar an Aiseig, Cridhe Victoria & Cìobairean na Mara

The Soillse and Trusadh documentary series continue in 2011, with programmes such as 'Cridhe Victoria' / Victoria’s Heart (the story of nine year old Victoria who awaits a new heart) and also 'Cìobairean na Mara'/ Sea Shepherds (Shepherds and the uninhabited islands off the West Coast of Scotland).

Other programs to look out for in the coming weeks on BBC ALBA include:

  • Fuil nan Innseanach - Iain ‘A’ Bhilachan’ Morrison travels from Lewis to Orkney and Canada in search of his roots. Friday 21 January @ 21.00.
  • Thar an Aiseig - Series following the people that use and run Scotland’s ferries. Starts Tuesday 25 January @ 20.30.
  • Cuirm @ Celtic 2011 - Music from Celtic Connections 2011. Starts Saturday 29 January @ 21.00.

On the 5th February 2011 look out for Whisky Galore @ 22.00 and Am Politician @ 23.20. A film and documentory commemorating the 70th anniversary of the grounding of the SS Politician.

Celtic Media Festival

The shortlist for the Celtic Media Festival 2011 has been announced and MG ALBA are pleased that there are seven BBC ALBA programs shortlisted. These are:

ARTS - Aonghas Pàdraig Caimbeul - Meas air Chrannaibh
CURRENT AFFAIRS - Eòrpa: Èigneachadh ann an Bosnia
FACTUAL ENTERTAINMENT -Na h-Òganaich
FACTUAL SINGLE -Bothan air a’ Phrèiridh and Trump: An Tilleadh
SPORT - Turas a' Bhradain - 'Na Hearadh'
YOUNG PEOPLE - Breab

From BBC Radio nan Gàidheal:
RADIO: DOCUMENTARY - Seirbheis Chuimhneachaidh Hiort
RADIO: PRESENTER / PERSONALITY - Cathy MacDonald
RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR - BBC Radio nan Gàidheal
KIERAN HEGARTY AWARD FOR INTERACTIVITY - Bliadhna nan Òran

MG ALBA congratulates all those involved in making these programmes, and we’re looking forward to the Festival in Stornoway from 13 to 15 April this year.

Follow this link to the Celtic Media Festival where you will find the 2011 shortlist in full.

Sport

There will be plenty of sport on BBC ALBA in 2011, with live SPL football and rugby, including the next phase of Magners League matches.

Live Rugby
The next phase of Magners League matches will take place between January and March 2011 and BBC ALBA will provide live coverage of six matches throughout this period. The next two matches are:

Munster v Edinburgh - Saturday 18 February at 19.45
Glasgow v Dragons - Saturday 25 February at 19.45

SPL
Here are some of the upcoming SPL fixtures on BBC ALBA:

Football pitch with Gaelic spl fixtures


FilmG

FilmG banner image

FilmG 3 attracted 71 films in total (34 films in the Adult competition and 37 films in the 12-17 competition) and the shortlists have now been compiled. Visit the FilmG website to see the full Adult and 12-17 shortlists.

It’s wonderful that so many people have made films this year. FilmG’s goal is to find and nurture new talent, and this year’s competitors are the people who will be creating BBC ALBA programmes in future.

You can vote for the People’s Choice Award up until Monday 31 January 2011. This year's Awards Ceremony will take place on the 18 February 2011 at the Old Fruitmarket, Candleriggs, Glasgow.

Getting to know... Donnie Morrison

Donnie Morrison joined MG ALBA over two years ago as a Management Accountant. He lives in the village of Barvas on the West side of Lewis with his wife Coleen and their three children.

Tell us about yourself and your job at MG ALBA

I was an Accountant with Mann Judd Gordon CA (R Cunningham CA) for 27 years before joining MG ALBA. As Management Accountant my duties include daily monitoring of financial systems, preparing monthly management accounts including cashflows and budget report updates, together with quarterly VAT returns. I also assist in auditing of external programme production companies which are funded by MG ALBA.

What’s your favourite BBC ALBA programme?

My favourite programmes are An La and Air an Rathad. I particularly like Air an Rathad as I am a motoring enthusiast and like to keep my eye out for new car models.

 Donnie Morrison