Gaelic broadcasting
Gaelic Television and broadcasting
Broadcasting, especially television, plays an important role in supporting the Gaelic language. Scotland is enriched by the existence of Gaelic and the Scottish Government was committed to creating a sustainable future for the language.
The Scottish Government is proud to support MG ALBA, one of the partners in the new Gaelic digital channel BBC ALBA. BBC ALBA launched on 19 September and is currently available on subscription and free satellite services. It will also be available on cable and some content is available on the BBC iPlayer. The Scottish Government is committed to supporting MG ALBA in securing Freeview carriage for BBC ALBA.
Gaelic radio services are available on BBC Radio nan Gaidheal and some commercial and community radio services. and stv, stv north and on Freeview channel TeleG. Gaelic television programmes will continue to be broadcast on BBC2 in Scotland
MG Alba
MG Alba formerly the Gaelic Media Service (GMS) was set up by the Communication Act 2003 amendment to the Broadcasting Act 1990, when it replaced the Gaelic Broadcasting Committee. GMS has powers to fund programme production and development, training, audience research and related activities, and is the organisation charged with establishing the new digital Gaelic television channel. Scrutiny and monitoring of MG Alba is the responsibility of Ofcom, the communications regulator, as set out in the Communications Act 2003.
The Scottish Government provides MG Alba with £12.4 million a year to support the new Gaelic channel and to ensure that good quality Gaelic programmes are available on television and radio in Scotland.
More information is available on the MG ALBA and BBC ALBA websites.