CHARTER REFERENCE TO GAELIC BROADCASTING WELCOMED BUT MORE BBC ALBA INVESTMENT STILL NEEDED
MG ALBA today welcomes the express reference to Gaelic broadcasting set out in the new draft BBC Royal Charter while urging the BBC to build on the success of BBC ALBA with increased investment in the channel.
MG ALBA has urged the BBC to make a formal commitment to increasing the amount of original programming made for BBC ALBA from 4.5 hours per week to 10 hours – to achieve parity with the Welsh TV channel, S4C. At present MG ALBA commissions work from over 20 independent production companies based in Scotland.
The need for a stronger BBC commitment to Gaelic broadcasting has achieved widespread political and industry support, with motions in both the Westminster and Scottish Parliaments, questions of ministers, Select Committee endorsement , an online video campaign led by the author Peter May, an online petition and many, many letters to the BBC in support of MG ALBA’s request , including from Scotland’s Deputy First Minster.
BBC ALBA, which is operated by a partnership between the BBC and MG ALBA, the Gaelic Media Service, has attracted audiences of around 700,000 and enjoys widespread support. The performance of the channel exceeded all expectations of the BBC Trust which set the remit for the channel.
MG ALBA wants to reduce significantly the number of repeats on BBC ALBA.
Donald Campbell, MG ALBA Chief Executive said: ”This Charter and Framework Agreement set out an explicit commitment to Gaelic broadcasting and say the BBC should continue to support the provision of output in Gaelic in Scotland, and should provide a television service through its partnership with MG ALBA. We welcome this reference to Gaelic broadcasting and the Secretary of State’s statement that the UK Government wishes to ensure that BBC ALBA has the resources it needs.
“The next step for us is to secure increased BBC investment. We are clear that the BBC needs to significantly increase its commitment to the channel for BBC ALBA to thrive and strengthen its offering of original and creative programming to its audiences. We look forward to working with the BBC to achieve that and believe added investment will benefit the creative industries in Scotland as well as serving the needs of our audience.”
BBC ALBA HEAD OF CONTENT SET FOR NEW ROLE AT TG4
MG ALBA today paid tribute to Alan Esslemont, BBC ALBA’s head of content, who has been appointed Director-General of TG4, the Irish language TV channel.
Donald Campbell, chief executive of MG ALBA, said: “Alan has made an outstanding contribution to MG ALBA and BBC ALBA over the last eight years and we wish him well as he takes on an exciting new challenge with TG4.
“From BBC ALBA’s first night on air, Alan and his team have implemented a strategy that has been carefully devised in order that our channel would appeal to our core audience of Gaelic speakers and also attract a wider audience that would experience and enjoy the language and Gaelic culture.
“We are delighted that such a strategy has made BBC ALBA the success it is today and we thank Alan who played an important part in making it happen.
“We look forward to building on that strong foundation, and ensuring that with our partner the BBC, the channel continues to go from strength to strength.”
Ken MacQuarrie, the BBC’s Director, Scotland said: “Alan was central to the launch and subsequent successful development of BBC ALBA and he has been a passionate supporter of Gaelic broadcasting. His drive and enthusiasm have brought BBC ALBA viewers a wide variety of high quality programmes across Factual, Music, Drama and Sport over the past eight years. He’s been instrumental in forging an excellent working relationship between BBC Scotland and MG ALBA and we’ll miss him as he heads off to lead the Irish language broadcaster TG4. We wish him well for the future.”
BBC ALBA PRESENTS RICH AUTUMN SCHEDULE OF PROGRAMMES
BBC ALBA has unveiled its new schedule of programmes for Autumn 2016, featuring entertainment, factual and current affairs programmes plus music, children’s shows, sport, live events and new drama from Bannan.
Agnes Johnstone, wife of Scotland and Celtic legend Jimmy Johnstone, and much-loved Gaelic broadcaster, Cathy MacDonald, were among the attendees at the launch event held today (Wednesday 7 September) at BBC Pacific Quay, Glasgow, which was hosted by popular BBC ALBA presenter Fiona MacKenzie.
A wide range of exciting new commissions will be brought to the screen complementing the channel’s popular factual documentary series Trusadh, hard hitting current affairs series, Eòrpa, music series Seirm and kids’ favourite, Dè a-nis?.
Some of the new programmes featuring in the autumn line-up include:
Home from Home, a poignant documentary following some of the children and families who attend Scotland’s two children’s hospices, Rachel and Robin Houses. One of their visitors is five-year-old Eilidh from Alloa, who has a life-shortening illness – Chronic Intestinal Pseudo Obstruction with intestinal failure. Eilidh was referred to the children’s hospice Robin House in Balloch when she was only two years old. Eilidh and her whole family love it at Robin House and all go there around four times a year for respite care.
Hamish, a compelling and heartfelt tribute to the leading poet, intellectual and songwriter Hamish Henderson which has been co-funded by Creative Scotland. Scottish filmmaker, Robbie Fraser, directed the film which provides an insight into Henderson’s journey from orphan to cultural hero – as well as being cited as the catalyst for the folk revival in Scotland.
Folk-singer, musician and writer, Steve Byrne, who has been published in two volumes of the life and work of Hamish Henderson, was in attendance to perform one of Henderson’s best known songs ‘Freedom Come all Ye’.
For sporting viewers, Jimmy ‘Jinky’ Johnstone, a feature length personal profile of the legendary Scotland and Celtic football player which includes tributes from his wife, children, friends and fellow team mates.
Sàr-sgeoil / Outlander explores the locations across Scotland which are the backdrop for the Outlander novels and the popular TV drama. Cathy MacDonald meets Diana Gabaldon, the multi-million-selling author of the Outlander novels, to understand how Scottish history provided the inspiration for the chronicles and travels to some of the locations that are attracting Outlander fans from across the globe.
Musician Dougie MacLean was also present to highlight BBC ALBA’s music offerings including the return of the popular Perthshire Amber series. Dougie MacLean developed the Perthshire Amber Festival as a way to share his inspiring music as well as to celebrate the history and culture of his Perthshire home, and BBC ALBA will be bringing viewers highlights from the festival.
BBC ALBA’s original Gaelic drama Bannan will return in the autumn with its third series and filming in Skye for the fourth series already underway.
The channel also welcomes two new presenters, Kim Carnie (age 22 from Oban) and Mark Smith (age 19 from Shawbost, Lewis) who will be making their debut when they join the team on the ever-popular children’s programme Dè a-nis?, now in its 24th series.
Margaret Mary Murray, Head of Service for BBC ALBA, said: “We hope our new schedule will surprise and delight viewers of all ages across Scotland with the range and quality of new programmes from drama to factual documentary, sport, music and children’s delivered by some of the best programme producers and finest independent companies in Scotland.”
Among the highlights for this season are:
Factual
Music
Sport
Drama
Children’s
BBC ALBA is delivered through the partnership set up between the BBC and MG ALBA, the Gaelic Media Service, a unique broadcasting partnership providing a successful public service.
WIDE-RANGING POLITICAL SUPPORT FOR GAELIC BROADCASTING WELCOMED BY MG ALBA
MG ALBA, the Gaelic media service, said today that political support for Gaelic broadcasting remains wide-ranging and strong and is vital during the BBC Charter Review process.
Parliamentary motions paying tribute to the success of Gaelic broadcasting are being submitted in the House of Commons and in the Scottish Parliament this week and include support for efforts to secure a commitment to increasing the amount of original programming made for BBC ALBA.
Donald Campbell, chief executive of MG ALBA, said: “It is clear that our request for increased BBC investment in BBC ALBA as part of the new BBC Royal Charter is gaining support from across the political spectrum and it is greatly appreciated and welcome.
“Gaelic and Gaelic broadcasting has a history of enjoying cross-party support and it is gratifying to see that support remain so strong at a crucially important time.”
MG ALBA has urged the BBC to make a commitment to increasing the amount of original programming made for BBC ALBA from 4.5 hours per week to 10 hours – to achieve parity with the Welsh TV channel, S4C. At present MG ALBA commissions work from 20 independent production companies based in Scotland.
Donald Campbell added: “Put simply, we need the additional programming for BBC ALBA to thrive and progress. It is our belief that the BBC are listening – we hope that the parliamentary support being demonstrated through the Early Day Motion at Westminster, and the Motion at Holyrood, will help the BBC further understand the case for increased BBC investment in Gaelic broadcasting, as part of a consistent, considered approach to the UK’s minority languages.”
GROWING DEMAND FOR STRENGTHENED BBC ALBA CAN REAP AUDIENCE AND ECONOMIC DIVIDENDS
Meeting the growing demand for increased resources for BBC ALBA can deliver for both audiences and the Scottish creative economy, MPs were told today.
MG ALBA – which operates the BBC ALBA in partnership with the BBC – said the opportunity to achieve parity for the Gaelic language channel with Welsh counterpart S4C had the potential to unlock substantial benefits for independent production sector as well as secure the future success of the channel amongst its core audience.
At a parliamentary event held at Westminster today (Monday 18 July), MPs were told about the desire from Gaelic audiences for the new Royal Charter to enshrine a commitment from the BBC to commit to 10 hours of new programming for BBC ALBA per week – up from the current level of 4.2 hours.
This commitment would bring BBC ALBA into line with S4C, which has enjoyed 10 hours of new programming per week from the BBC for the last 30 years.
It would also have a positive knock-on impact for the creative sector, which continues to benefit heavily from BBC ALBA. During 2015-16, BBC ALBA commissioned 454 hours of content from 26 different production companies.
MG ALBA chairperson, Maggie Cunningham, said: “Since the publication of the White Paper on Charter Renewal, we have seen growing momentum gathering behind a fairer deal for BBC ALBA.
“I’m pleased and grateful that MPs from across the political spectrum attended today to hear the compelling reasons why that deal is needed: to serve our audience properly and to boost the production sector in Scotland.
“BBC ALBA is currently allocated 3p of the £12.13 monthly licence fee. By comparison, the BBC spends more than 10 times that on S4C. However, we are not simply asking for more money. Existing BBC resources could and should be used more effectively to deliver for Gaelic audiences.”
Ms Cunningham highlighted last week’s publication of the Scotland Annual Review 2015-16 by the BBC Trust as evidence for the growing demand for improved BBC ALBA content.
Maggie Cunningham continued: “BBC ALBA has been an outstanding success since it launched in 2008 but it is clear that the channel has now reached a juncture where it needs more resources to continue its development. We have a repeat rate of 74% and it needs to be tackled.
“The recent BBC Trust Annual Review report acknowledged that whilst the channel is continuing to outperform viewership targets, it suffers from under-funding which may not be sustainable in the longer term.
“It is our firm belief that one mechanism to address this issue is by increased sharing of content from other BBC departments. We have seen excellent examples such as the Hebrides series that was successful across both BBC ALBA and BBC Scotland.
“This is not to say that BBC ALBA simply requires more content handed down from the main channels – a more responsive system of programme-making within the BBC may allow us to collaborate far easier across a range of genres including children’s programming, music and documentaries. Increasing original content to 10 hours per week does not have to mean a hugely increased pot of cash.”
The success of BBC ALBA’s Gaelic drama Bannan is one of a number of productions to provide a boost to the Highland & Islands creative economy and Ms Cunningham added its success could be built upon if BBC ALBA was strengthened with more original programming.
Ms Cunningham added: “The channel has had a very positive impact on the independent production sector: around half of all independent production commissions in Scotland are made by BBC ALBA and a recent economic impact report confirmed that almost 300 jobs result from MG ALBA’s activities, 40% of which are based in the Highlands and Islands. This includes BBC ALBA drama Bannan which has undertaken the majority of its production on the Isle of Skye.
“We are determined to improve even further on that and we are determined to ensure the next generation of creative talent has a platform to flourish. With a better base of original programming from the BBC for the channel – some of which may be conceived in cooperation with independent producers – there is more scope for enhancing Scotland’s creative sector and the economic benefits that brings.”
BBC ALBA BUILDS ON SUCCESS WITH NEW DRAMA EPISODES
Filming of Bannan a major boost for independent TV production sector
A new series of episodes of the popular BBC ALBA drama Bannan has been commissioned, it was announced today.
The filming of a further five episodes of the programme will give a significant boost to the creative industries in Scotland.
Funded by MG ALBA – the Gaelic Media Service – Bannan is filmed on the Isle of Skye and is produced by The Inbetweeners’ Chris Young and directed by Tony Kearney.
To date, 18 episodes have been filmed and the drama has proved to be one of the most watched programmes on BBC ALBA.
Announcing the new episodes at a preview screening at the Edinburgh Film Festival today (Sunday), Chris Young said: “As we host the premiere of the latest series of Bannan at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, there is no better way to celebrate the show’s continuing success than with this tremendous news. With these new episodes Bannan will be heading in an exciting new direction. Shooting starts in August so watch this space.”
As well as the new Bannan episodes, MG ALBA said today its vision remains to ‘build on the success of the channel’.
Launching its annual report in Edinburgh, chairperson Maggie Cunningham, said: “We’re delighted the channel enjoys very high levels of awareness in Scotland, offering both Gaelic speakers and non-Gaelic speakers unique programmes of interest and value.
“We continue to work on increasing our already significant impact on the independent production sector in Scotland, as we increase our expenditure on the sector and help create a culture of ambition and aspiration in our creative community and nowhere is this most evident than in our commitment to Bannan.”
However, Ms Cunningham said the channel needs further investment to develop.
She said: “Our audience is over-reliant on repeat material and this is the most serious deficit in our service on BBC ALBA. In our discussions with the UK Government and with the BBC, we have made clear that an increased level of content is essential in service development and it is vital that elements of our content are a “must watch” for the younger Gaelic demographic. We need a greater number of original programmes and a wider variety of content.
“This is an ideal time to invest in BBC ALBA, with the renewal of the BBC’s Charter at the end of this year. We have made strong representation to both the BBC and the UK Government over the past year. We believe that the BBC must make the same core commitment to BBC ALBA as it has done to S4C in Wales for the past 30 years, that is, a minimum of 10 hours per week of original BBC programming. For BBC ALBA, that means a commitment of an additional five hours per week.”
Donald Campbell, chief executive of MG ALBA, said: “In 2015-16 we made a significant investment in high quality new or original Gaelic production, with a spend of £9.9m generating 454 hours from 26 different production companies. Of that, £8.6m was spent with the independent production sector. An economic impact report confirmed that almost 300 jobs result from MG ALBA’s activities, 40% of which are based in the Highlands and Islands.
“Over the last year the channel has maintained a very strong performance. It is continually evident that the greatest demand is for new or original programmes. With only 13.3 hours of first-run programmes on average each week – a repeat ratio of 74% – it was significant that the core audience increased their average weekly viewing time from 4.4 to 4.8 hours and the national audience from 1.7 to 1.8 weekly hours.
“BBC ALBA was not exempt from the wider trends affecting linear television viewership, with average weekly reach in Scotland falling slightly to 15%, still well ahead of the benchmark expectation of 10%. Online viewing of our Gaelic media content continued to face the double challenge of discoverability on a densely populated iPlayer and poor broadband provision in many areas of core viewership. Many Gaelic-speaking communities still do not enjoy the necessary bandwidth or reliability required for the streaming of audio-visual content on the iPlayer.”
Read the annual report here
COVETED MG ALBA TV WRITING SCHOLARSHIP UP FOR GRABS
Talented Gaelic writers are being given the opportunity to apply for a coveted MG ALBA scholarship to study television fiction writing at Glasgow Caledonian University.
The MA Television Fiction Writing course is the only dedicated one year postgraduate programme of its type in the UK, providing aspiring screenwriters with the tools to embark upon or strengthen their career in television fiction writing, and MG ALBA are supporting a placement on the course for one Gaelic speaker.
Taught by a combination of leading TV scriptwriters and academic staff including course lecturer Professor Ann Marie Di Mambro whose credits include EastEnders, Casualty and River City, students on the course will work intensively on at least two drama series currently transmitting on British television, learning how to story conference, storyline, write scripts and edit these dramas.
Seumas MacMillan was the MG ALBA scholar in 2014 and is now one of the writers on BBC ALBA’s Gaelic drama Bannan.
Reflecting on the course, Seumas said: “The MA in TV Fiction Writing is unique in that tutors are TV writers themselves and their guidance and support allows students to develop the craft skills necessary to pursue a screenwriting career.
“The course provided me with not only the skillset but the mindset to take my profession forward and I have been fortunate to work on BBC ALBA’s first drama series Bannan which has been a huge development in my career and I would encourage all talented Gaelic writers to apply.”
The MG ALBA scholarship will be awarded to one person, fluent in Gaelic, who will join the programme in September 2016. Applications need to be submitted before Thursday 26th May.
For more information on the MA TV Fiction Writing programme and how to apply for an MG ALBA scholarship visit: www.tvfictionwriting.com or follow @MATVGlasgow on Twitter.
NEW BOARD MEMBERS NAMED FOR MG ALBA
MG ALBA (The Gaelic Media Service) has welcomed the news that Ofcom has today (Friday 6 May) appointed two new Board members with Mairi Kidd and Calum Ferguson taking up their respective roles with effect from 1/5/16 for a period of 4 years.
Maggie Cunningham (Chairman), David Brew, Jo MacDonald and Dugald MacAulay have also been reappointed with terms running for four years. MG ALBA also bid farewell to Alasdair MacCaluim whose term on the board has come to an end after eight years.
Follow this link for more information on the new members.
FRESH DESIGN AND HOME FOR GAELIC LEARNERS’ SITE, ‘LITTLE BY LITTLE’
The BBC ALBA Gaelic learners’ website, Little by Little, has been redesigned as new on LearnGaelic.Scot with an attractive new interface with more information.
The website aims to give learners an opportunity to learn basic Gaelic, little by little. Amongst other things, people will get the chance to listen to Gaelic words, phrases, proverbs and songs.
The website was first published in 2001 became one of the most-loved websites for learners on the BBC Gaelic website.
The learning content for Little by Little was written by Roddy MacLean who is well-known through the radio series Litir do Luchd-ionnsachaidh (Letter to Gaelic Learners) and An Litir Bheag (The Little Letter) programmes for learners that are broadcast on BBC Radio nan Gaidheal.
This all gives the learners an opportunity to learn the Gaelic sounds, learn about grammar and gain an understanding of how the sounds are created. You can also learn five Gaelic songs with Sineag MacIntyre.
To view the new site here
MG ALBA SUPPORTS GAELIC MEDIA APPRENTICESHIP WITH BBC AND GLASGOW KELVIN COLLEGE
MG ALBA, the Gaelic media service, is to participate for the first time in an innovative apprenticeship scheme designed to nurture the next generation of broadcast media talent.
The partnership, run by Glasgow Kelvin College and BBC Scotland, is about to enter its sixth programme, with 11 students participating in the 2016/17 course.
For the first time, one student – with the support of MG ALBA – will have the opportunity to work across Gaelic platforms such as BBC ALBA and BBC Radio nan Gàidheal.
In doing so, the candidate will have the chance to gain experience in many of the departments providing content to the channel, including children’s, news-gathering, factual and sport.
With BBC ALBA also accounting for around 50% of the total programme making output from Scotland’s independent production sector, there will also be the opportunity for the apprentice to spend time working with a number of the channel’s independent programme suppliers.
The busy schedule will also see apprentices spending two days per month at Glasgow Kelvin College learning many of the technical and vocational skills they might require in the broadcast media industry, as well as personal development and core skills.
There will also be the opportunity for the apprentice to spend time on placement at the Creative Industries Media Centre in Stornoway – home of MG ALBA and BBC Radio nan Gàidheal.
By September this year, 50 young people will have already completed this exciting apprenticeship programme over the previous five programmes. The apprenticeship programme has provided a springboard to careers in TV production and journalism, with some of the former young students going onto degrees in higher education and others moving onto further work at the BBC or other media production organisations.
Iseabail Mactaggart, Director of Development and Partnership at MG ALBA, said: “The BBC Apprenticeship programme has been proven to be an excellent route for young people to enter the broadcasting sector so we are pleased that MG ALBA is supporting the partnership this year and offering one of the apprentices the chance to learn their trade within Gaelic media.
“The apprenticeship is a good fit for MG ALBA, with our partners at BBC Scotland and Glasgow Kelvin College – which is the only further education institution to deliver full-time Gaelic classes on the Scottish mainland – both experienced in training high-quality graduates from the scheme.
“We have been committed to offering opportunities for the next generation of talent to flourish through initiatives such as FilmG, placements we sponsor with companies within the creative sector and through awards such as the Celtic Media Festival bursaries we announced recently.
“MG ALBA was recognised in 2015 as an Investor in Young People and we are committed to building upon this and providing more and more routes for training and development in the years ahead.”
