MG ALBA has published its 2024/25 Annual Report, marking a transformative year for Gaelic broadcasting with record digital viewing figures, a landmark drama series, and a renewed call for fair and sustainable funding.
The annual report celebrates An t-Eilean — a gripping crime thriller filmed on location in Harris — as the most successful Gaelic TV programme ever made. In the 2024/25 year alone, it drew 1.6 million BBC iPlayer views, accounting for 20% of the record-breaking 8.1 million total views for Gaelic content. This standout performance highlights the impact of high-quality Gaelic drama and its growing appeal, with An t-Eilean also attracting international attention from outlets such as The Hollywood Reporter.
In a major international milestone, MG ALBA is also celebrating An t-Eilean’s recent triumph at the Prix CIRCOM 2025 awards, where it took home the coveted Grand Prix – the highest honour in the prestigious European television awards.
“This was a year of creative ambition and digital transformation,” said MG ALBA Chair John Morrison. “With every £1 invested, we attracted £3 more in funding. But to maintain this momentum and reach younger, digital-first Gaelic speakers, we urgently need a longer-term, realistic budget.”
Key highlights:
- £1.8m funding uplift from Scottish Government – but only for one year
- SpeakGaelic exceeded 10 million content views
- FilmG had 100+ youth entries for the second year running
- An t-Eilean, Clò Beag Chirsty Bella and Mathan Leis an Ainm Wojtek earned international recognition
- 340+ jobs supported, over half in the Highlands and Islands
Despite these achievements, the report warns that MG ALBA’s core budget is still £10 million behind where it would be if it had kept up with inflation — putting future content creation and digital innovation at serious risk. Continued investment is essential to ensure Gaelic media can thrive in an increasingly competitive and digital-first landscape — and a dedicated Gaelic Growth Deal is now vital to secure the sector’s future.
