On the day the Scottish national squad prepare for the critical Albania game in their Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign, BBC ALBA today announces a set of new deals that will see the channel become the home of Scottish women’s football.
This move signals a huge boost to the profile of the sport in Scotland. The deals include the live broadcast of any Scotland squad World Cup games in 2019.
The three-year deal with the Scottish Football Association will see all of the national squad’s home competitive games shown live on BBC ALBA, and available on the BBC iPlayer. In an innovative addition, the Scottish FA and the channel will share unprecedented levels of content across social media to ensure the profile of the game is raised, driving growth in spectators, participation and viewers.
This news comes as the channel also announces a significant expansion of its coverage of the women’s domestic league in Scotland, with coverage of at least six games, including the SSE Scottish Women’s Cup Final and the SWPL Cup Final. Glasgow City FC’s 2018 UEFA Women’s Champions League campaign will also be covered.
Chris Rawlings, Scottish FA Commercial Director said: “This is a partnership we are extremely excited about as the women’s and girls’ game in Scotland continues to develop.
“Having a guaranteed broadcast partner allows us to show all the women’s national team home matches which have proven to be an exciting entity.
“The record crowd of 4,098 at The Simple Digital Arena in Paisley proves the appetite is there to watch the women’s national team and this deal enables the nation to watch our games, when they can’t make it along to the stadium.
“We will work closely with BBC ALBA to ensure the partnership continues to grow year on year and continues to deliver a high quality broadcast of the matches.”
Iseabail Mactaggart, MG ALBA Director of Strategy and Partnership said: “This is an exciting moment for the channel. In the 10 years of BBC ALBA we have demonstrated in other sports how a national free-to-air platform can showcase a growing sport, and at the same time introduce audiences – sometimes for the first time – to Gaelic.
“Scottish women’s football is at an extraordinarily exciting junction, and we are delighted to be working with the Scottish FA and SWF to create transformative partnerships which will be good for BBC ALBA’s audiences, but also fantastic for Scottish women’s football at domestic league and national level.
“We are also very pleased that with the BBC we will be able to broadcast live all of the Scottish national team’s Women’s World Cup games, should they qualify.”
Vivienne MacLaren, Chair of Scottish Women’s Football said: “This agreement is a huge sign of progress within Scottish women’s football. Making the game more visible is of vital importance to us as an organisation and this deal is another positive step forward. Having worked with BBC ALBA previously, we know the passion they have for our game and we’re delighted to be part of this agreement.
“It’s such an exciting time for the domestic game. To have matches being broadcast on a national platform is a testament to all those involved in the game, past and present, and secures a bright future for the next generation of girls’ and women’s footballers.”
BBC ALBA today (6 September) unveiled its programme slate for the 2018 Autumn season including an eyebrow-raising satirical sketch show, marking a bold start to the channel’s second decade.
FUNC is created by comedy genius Michael Hines, best known for ratings-busting Scottish comedy Still Game. A bubbling brew of razor-sharp satire, surreal silliness and more than a few spoonfuls of sauce, the fast-paced show features a whirlwind of new acting and writing talent – many of whom were mentored through a partnership with BBC Writer’s Room Scotland.
Producer Michael Hines said, “I’m absolutely delighted to have this opportunity to create a brand new sketch show for BBC ALBA. There aren’t many channels that would show so much trust in programme-makers – and so much commitment to up-and-coming talent. We have a wonderful young cast and some brilliant writing, and I’m extremely proud of all the hard work everyone has put in across the four episodes.
“There has been a terrific creative collaboration between BBC ALBA, the Woven Thread and the BBC Writer’s Room to find fresh and exciting new Gaelic writers, and I know – finger’s crossed – that everyone will find it as funny as we have.”
BBC ALBA’s 2018 Autumn schedule also marks the start of a seven-day news service, bringing An Là to weekends for the first time. The boost to the news service has created six new jobs in the Inverness area.
This week, BBC ALBA also announced partnerships with the Scottish FA and SWF on Scottish Women’s Football. This includes a new three-year deal securing coverage of the national squad’s competitive home games along with a significant expansion in TV coverage of domestic league games.
Shelley Kerr, head coach of the Women’s National Team said “This new partnership is fantastic for the Scottish women’s game and another step in the right direction as it continues to go from strength to strength.
“BBC ALBA have been incredibly loyal supporters of the national team as well as the club game and we are all delighted to continue this partnership for the next three years.
“Having matches shown on television and online through BBC ALBA increases exposure of the national team and with attendances on the up, I’m sure the TV audiences will also continue to increase as well.”
Iseabail Mactaggart, MG ALBA Director of Strategy and Partnership said: “As BBC ALBA enters its second decade, we are excited to be strengthening partnerships with the SFA and SWF, creating great content for BBC ALBA audiences, attracting new audiences and creating an amazing showcase for Scottish women’s football.”
Also announced today is a quadrupling of original children’s content on BBC ALBA. Further details of the extensive changes and another exciting partnership will be announced at a separate event next Thursday.
Margaret Mary Murray, Head of Gaelic Services at the BBC says, “We are delighted to be marking BBC ALBA’s 10th birthday with a fabulously rich package of programmes and digital content. Autumn 2018 will bring with it some fantastic television: laugh-out-loud comedy, a new-look children’s zone, moving and inspiring documentaries, and the latest dramatic twists and turns in Bannan. In addition to the jeopardy of the football leagues with our extensive coverage of women’s and men’s football, music continues to be at the heart of our schedule and new international co-productions such as Iùl a’ Chiùil join acclaimed series including Port. All in all BBC ALBA will be the place to be this Autumn as we bring the best television to audiences in Scotland and beyond.”
Amongst the highlights for the autumn season are:
FACTUAL
Sgoil Lionacleit to NY (MacTV): In May 2017 Eilidh MacLeod from Barra became one of 22 victims of the Manchester Arena bombing. This April, Eilidh’s fellow musicians in the Sgoil Lionacleit Pipe Band embarked on a journey to New York to pay their own very personal tribute to their friend.
Trusadh: The Pakistan Islanders (MacTV): This documentary tells the remarkable story of a small Muslim community coming together to establish the Western Isles’ first mosque.
Tommy Burns (purpleTV): Ten years on from his untimely death from cancer, Tommy Burns’ daughters and sons look back on the life and career of their beloved father, the legendary player and manager of both Celtic and Kilmarnock.
MUSIC
Port (Bees Nees Media) Acclaimed musicians Julie Fowlis and Muireann NicAmhlaoibh head to Brittany to discover more about traditional music in the islands.
Doolin Festival (Bees Nees Media) A flavour of the Doolin Folk Festival in Ireland, an event famous for presenting powerful music in an intimate setting.
The Musical Path (MacTV): A major new series charting the shifting sands between tradition and innovation in Irish and Scottish music over the past half century.
DRAMA
Bannan (Young Films) Camus is still reeling from the shock of seeing two of its own taken away in handcuffs, under suspicion of murder. But how do the community react when only one returns?
Trapped (RKV Studios): Continuing its season of world drama, BBC ALBA travels to Iceland as a remote town is rocked by a gruesome crime.
CHILDREN
Gudrun (MaraKids): Explore the wild with Gudrun the Viking Princess, an innovative format for young children combining live-action drama and the best of wildlife filmmaking.
My Life as a Courgette (Solus): After losing his mother, a young boy is sent to a foster home with other orphans his age where he begins to learn the meaning of true love in this multi-award-winning animated feature.
A host of broadcasters from the Celtic regions have joined forces to set up an exciting new media production fund to develop new drama, animation and factual programmes in the Celtic languages.
The ‘Celtic International Fund’ will run an annual joint-commissioning round between the indigenous Celtic language television broadcasters and funders of Scotland, Wales, Ireland and Northern Ireland.
It has been set up by BBC ALBA (with funding from MG ALBA), S4C, TG4 and Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund (ILBF).
The aim of the Celtic International Fund is to promote co-development and then co-production through Scottish Gaelic, Welsh and Irish, and to encourage a broader European and worldwide internationalisation of productions which are originally conceived in those Celtic languages.
The Celtic International Fund will provide film-makers with an opportunity to co-develop and co-produce distinctive, ambitious works to enrich primetime programme schedules, to have a national impact with audiences in the territories of Scotland, Wales, Ireland and Northern Ireland and seek to reach audiences worldwide.
The initial call-out encompasses three genres – Factual, Drama and Animation. All successful projects will undergo a development phase where funding will be provided to both develop ideas and the co-production framework, which must have a production element in Scotland, Wales and either Ireland, or Northern Ireland.
The Celtic International Fund will be administered by a joint commissioning team drawn from the Celtic language broadcasters and funders who are partners in the scheme.
Iseabail Mactaggart, MG ALBA Director of Strategy and Development said “This is an important move which will strengthen the strategic approach to co-production for BBC ALBA – an area in which MG ALBA initiatives have already created substantial gains for BBC ALBA audiences and increased opportunities for our suppliers. By partnering with other Celtic broadcasters, we will also be able to take advantage of further European and worldwide opportunities. We expect this initiative to enable us to deliver higher quality programming by pooling resources on development and production. The prospect of doing that in areas such as Factual, Drama and Animation is hugely exciting. BBC ALBA operates in an increasingly competitive world. Working together with Celtic broadcasters and developing new production models will create more opportunities for rich, distinctive programming and will further increase the economic benefits from investment in Gaelic broadcasting.”
Matt Baker and Alex Jones last night hailed an amazing team effort after The One Show was broadcast live from the Isle of Harris.
This was the first of two programmes, with a focus on Gaelic culture and life in the Outer Hebrides.
The programme’s first live outside transmission from the Western Isles followed a unique partnership between Scotland’s Gaelic Media Service (Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig), MG ALBA & the BBC.
MG ALBA provided over half of the 50+ crew, as well as some of its world class sound, camera, lighting, editing and outside broadcast facilities.
Amongst the features, Ben Fogle returned to Taransay to reminisce about his time on reality TV show Castaway and Marty Jopson recreated an ambitious experiment from the 1930s to deliver mail between the islands.
Photographer and former punk rocker John Maher also appeared on the show alongside Iain MacLeod, one of his photo subjects.
Matt Baker, who bought a new Harris Tweed cap to wear on the programme, said:
“We received a fantastic welcome, and the stunning location made it extra special. The crew, including dozens of staff from MG ALBA, put in a herculean Hebridean effort to be able to make the show really special, so a big thank you to them.”
Co-presenter Alex Jones added:
“We still have a fair bit of work to do on our Gaelic – albeit Matt and I have been trying – but the reception that we have received has been absolutely brilliant!”
Tonight’s (Friday) programme comes live from the Heb Celt Festive in Stornoway. The programme will feature the face of BBC ALBA, Fiona McKenzie who will present a feature on a decade of Scotland’s Gaelic channel.
A BBC ALBA documentary has been shortlisted for one of the world’s most prestigious awards, it was revealed today (26 June 2018).
Sùlaisgeir: An t-Sealg (The Hunt) – which accompanied a group of men who participate in an annual tradition of the “guga hunt” – has been put forward in the Natural History category of The Grierson Awards. It is the first time that a Gaelic-language programme has been shortlisted.
The programme documented the controversial practice which takes place every year, when a group of men from Ness on the Isle of Lewis travel 40km north to the tiny island of Sùlaisgeir, and harvest 2,000 young gannets, known as the guga.
The story followed Dods MacFarlane on his last guga hunt, after 40 years keeping up the practice which was handed down to him by his father.
The film was made at a time of change for the guga hunt. With the older generations retiring, and the increased resistance from those out-with the tightknit community of Ness, these are changing times for the guga hunt.
Independent production company MacTV, based in Stornoway, produced Sùlaisgeir.
The documentary was also commended at the Chicago International TV festival, receiving a Certificate of Merit.
MacTV Producer, Màiri Smith, said: “We are delighted to see Sùlaisgeir: The Hunt sharing a platform with programmes as well known as Blue Planet. MacTV were privileged to have the opportunity to tell the story of the Ness Guga Hunters from the inside, and share it with the wider world.”
BBC ALBA’s Head of Service Margaret-Mary Murray comments: “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for one of the world’s most respected documentary awards highlighting the creative excellence of our producers and the bonds of trust which underpinned this film. Sùlaisgeir: The Hunt deals with a controversial subject with candour and honesty documenting an age old process and its attendant traditions with creative beauty and bravery.”
The British Documentary Awards, more commonly known as The Griersons were established in 1972 to commemorate the pioneering Scottish documentary maker John Grierson (1898-1972).
The BBC’s flagship programme, The One Show, is coming to the Hebrides next week as part of a unique partnership with Scotland’s Gaelic Media Service (Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig), MG ALBA.
The weeknight magazine programme will broadcast LIVE from the Isle of Harris and the Isle of Lewis as part of a two-night special.
Presenters Alex Jones and Matt Baker will be based at West Harris Trust’s Talla na Mara on Thursday (19 July, 7pm, BBC ONE). This new community centre was officially opened last year by Ben Fogle and boasts stunning views of Nisabost beach across to the Isle of Taransay, appropriately where Castaway was filmed.
On Friday (20 July, 7pm, BBC ONE) Alex and Matt will be in Stornoway live from the annual Heb Celt Festival.
Both programmes will focus on life in the Hebrides, with a range of features each night.
The face of BBC ALBA Fiona Mackenzie will present one of these, while the programme will celebrate ten years of BBC ALBA.
Putting together a project of this scale has been significant. MG ALBA are providing half of the 50+ crew that are involved in the outside broadcast.
MG ALBA’s world class facilities in Stornoway will act as a key hub, providing sound, camera, lighting, editing, and outside broadcast (OB) facilities.
The One Show presenter Alex Jones comments:
“Matt and I are really looking forward to our first visit to Lewis & Harris.
“From everything we have seen it is a stunning part of the world. With a fantastic mix of features and guests we are sure our viewers are going to love these very special programmes from the Hebrides.”
Donald Campbell, chief executive of MG ALBA comments:
“We are delighted to welcome The One Show to Lewis and Harris. MG ALBA is very proud that we have been able to build this partnership with our BBC network colleagues.
“We are delighted that MG ALBA’s people and facilities are able to accommodate one of the highest profile BBC brands in the UK and that UK audiences will have a wonderful opportunity to share the magic that makes our Gaelic-speaking part of the world so special, especially as we celebrate the vibrancy of BBC ALBA as the channel reaches its tenth anniversary.
Claire Megahey, Senior Producer at The One Show adds:
“We are very excited about our first ever The One Show on Lewis & Harris. It has been fantastic working with the MG ALBA team over the last few months to plan this unique project.
“The MG ALBA team have made us feel so welcome on our planning visits, while their broadcast expertise has been critical in our ability to bring one of the country’s most loved TV programmes to this far flung part of the UK.”
Maggie Cunningham to step down as MG ALBA chair
MG ALBA’s chair Maggie Cunningham has announced her resignation, effective 30 September 2018.
Ms Cunningham who has served as chairperson for the last 6 years, will be taking up a role as member for Scotland on Ofcom’s Content Board.
Maggie Cunningham said:
“Since my appointment in 2012 it has been a privilege and a pleasure to serve as chair of MG ALBA and I pay tribute to the hard work of my fellow board members and staff during that time.
“This is a very interesting time for all media and as the prospective Ofcom Content Board member for Scotland I will look forward very much to seeing BBC ALBA continue to progress and develop in the coming years”.
The new chair of MG ALBA will be appointed by Ofcom following a recruitment process. The appointment is subject to approval by Scottish Ministers.
Chief executive Donald Campbell added:
“I would like to thank Maggie for her support and leadership as MG ALBA’s chair over her term with us. She has provided wise counsel in leading MG ALBA during a period of significant change.
“The evolving nature of the media industry means that change will continue to be a constant, and we look forward to the next phase of our journey with a confidence based in no short measure on foundations put in place during Maggie’s tenure.”
Click here to read more about Maggie Cunningham’s appointment to Ofcom’s Content Board.
MG ALBA LAUNCHES ITS COVETED CELTIC MEDIA FESTIVAL BURSARY SCHEME
Current and aspiring Gaelic media industry professionals are being offered the chance to apply for MG ALBA’s coveted bursary scheme, as it launches its Celtic Media Festival scholarship for 2018.
A total of three places at this year Celtic Media Festival are up for grabs for candidates demonstrating a keen interest in pursuing a career in Gaelic media, or for individuals who are at the beginning of their career either as a freelancer or with an independent production company producing Gaelic programmes for BBC ALBA.
This year, the Celtic Media Festival is taking place in Llanelli, Wales from 2nd – 4th May. It is an annual three-day celebration acknowledging excellence in broadcasting and film talent throughout the Celtic countries of Scotland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Wales, Cornwall and Brittany.
Iseabail Mactaggart, Director of Strategy and Partnerships at MG ALBA, said: “The Celtic Media Festival is a key event, both for networking and for understanding the trends that affect how viewers are watching and using media content. Our bursary scheme has been extremely popular and is testament to the level of enthusiasm from young talented individuals seeking a career in Gaelic media to grasp every opportunity available.
“Our aim is to support and encourage the next generation of Gaelic media professionals, and the opportunity for participants to learn from events such as this one will give industry insight and offer an understanding of the importance of an international outlook for indigenous productions and channel content.”
Among the successful applicants last year was presenter Calum Maclean. Reflecting on his attendance at the Celtic Media Festival last year, Calum said that “the scheme was a great opportunity to meet people working in the industry, to share ideas and open up new opportunities.”
MG ALBA is requesting a video in Gaelic, up to four minutes long to accompany all online applications, providing the opportunity for each applicant to showcase their skills, talent and creativity as well as outlining their desire to attend the festival.
MG ALBA are offering a full support package covering the entry fee, travel and accommodation. For more information and to apply, follow this link or contact sandra.corbett@mgalba.com. Deadline for applications is 10pm on Monday 16th April 2018. More information on the festival is available at www.celticmediafestival.co.uk
BBC ALBA secures £5m of ground-breaking new content through international co-productions
• More original content for channel secured through international co-productions
• Additional content valued at £5m
• Deals predicted to deliver additional high-quality programming otherwise not possible
• BBC ALBA suppliers playing key role in creating international content partnerships
MG ALBA today (26 April 2018) reveals it is successfully securing additional content for BBC ALBA through innovative international deals led by its suppliers.
A series of agreements are creating £5.2m worth of high-quality programmes for Scotland’s Gaelic-language television channel.
The injection of new content is the result of several years’ focused effort by MG ALBA and its supplier companies in developing global partnerships based on long-term deals with the broadcaster. The deals see the channel’s suppliers teaming up with production companies in Germany, Denmark, Iceland, France, Norway and Canada, as well as Ireland and Wales and, for the first time, the possibility of a Chinese partnership in 2019.
For BBC ALBA viewers, the deals mean new content that otherwise would have been unaffordable. For BBC ALBA’s innovative producers, it means growing international networks and the possibilities of further business in these territories, as well as their own domestic market.
Iseabail Mactaggart, MG ALBA’s Director of Strategy and Partnership, said:
“This is a significant announcement. For our audiences it marks a very substantial investment in BBC ALBA programming, which is great news. It demonstrates that not only can funding in Gaelic broadcasting leverage growth in the volume of content for the channel but can also be used to drive the growth of our suppliers, including through international partnerships. We are proud to work closely with our suppliers in this innovative approach to ensuring new content for BBC ALBA, and proud that Gaelic broadcasting is leading the way in creating these powerful global partnerships.”
Some of the programmes due for broadcast in 2018/19 include The Far Traveller, an hour-long documentary charting the story of a remarkable and pioneering female Viking explorer from 1000AD, produced by Icelandic filmmakers ProFilm and MacTV in partnership with RUV, Icelandic Film fund, Profilm and Pegasus.
Bridge over the Atlantic is a Canadian Scottish co-production featuring musicians from both sides of the Atlantic exploring their common musical heritage. It is produced by MacTV and Skye Larke Productions in partnership with CBC Atlantic, BBC Scotland and support from the Nova Scotia Dept of Communities, Culture & Heritage, the Government of Nova Scotia and the Canadian Federation of Musicians.
The deals also include a further series of Port – the channel’s hugely successful and eclectic music programme, which will take the brand on the road in Europe showcasing collaboration with artists in Brittany, Asturias and Galicia. Port is produced by Bees Nees Media in partnership with TG4.
Tide is an ambitious series depicting the stories and science behind that most mysterious of power sources on earth – the tide – and looks at the subject from a global and national perspective. Produced by Cwmni Da and MacTV, the series is supported by S4C, BBC NI, TG4 with investment from LIC and Sky Vision.
Another dimension of the international approach is participation in multi-European partner deals such as Kids of Courage, a second series of children’s drama-documentaries from Germany-based LOOKS Film & TV, based on diaries and letters from WW2. Building on the first series, Small Hands in a Big War, series two will offer an insight into children’s lives across Europe as they try to survive the calamitous fallout of the conflict. The UK story in the series is Calum’s Story, featuring a Gaelic-speaking teenager coming of age in Scotland’s war-torn Clydebank.
MG ALBA Channel Editor, Margaret Cameron, adds:
“These deals allow us to offer the BBC ALBA audience additional high-end content that would have been outwith our capacity if operating alone. They are delivering a rich range of programming across musical, factual and drama genres which will really add value and sparkle to the BBC ALBA schedule while offering our artists and producers opportunities to tell their stories on an international stage.”
BBC ALBA programme honoured at Chicago TV Festival
BBC ALBA documentary, Sùlaisgeir: An t-Sealg (The Hunt), last night received a Certificate of Merit in the non-fiction programme category at the 54th Chicago International Television Festival.
The festival attracts entrants from across the world, with each category awarding a small number of prizes, and Sùlaisgeir, the first ever Gaelic language programme to be considered for this festival, was congratulated as “exceptional work”.
Sùlaisgeir: An t-Sealg was produced by MacTV and first broadcast on for BBC ALBA on New Year’s Day, 2018. The programme followed the Guga Hunt, where men from Ness in the Isle of Lewis travel 40 miles north to the rocky outcrop of Sùlaisgeir to bring home their quota of young gannets, a salty delicacy and traditional food source for the islanders. The focus of the programme was Dods MacFarlane, the expedition leader, who was taking part in his last ever trip before passing the torch onto the next generation.
MacTV Producer, Màiri Smith, said: “We are delighted to see Sùlaisgeir: An t-Sealg sharing a platform with some of the best international television from around the globe, and for it to pick up a certificate of merit at this prestigious festival is just fantastic.
“MacTV were privileged to have the opportunity to tell the story of the Ness Guga Hunters from the inside, and share it with the wider world. The chance to collaborate with local communities and document their stories is fundamental to what we do, and we’re delighted with the success for our hard working production team and of course Dods and the boys from Ness who shared their story with us so openly.”
BBC ALBA’s Head of Service, Margaret Mary Murray, said: “BBC ALBA’s Head of Service, Margaret Mary Murray, said: “We are delighted that Sùlaisgeir: An t-Sealg has been given this prestigious industry recognition and we hope that this will lead to further international development and collaboration opportunities for MacTV and other BBC ALBA producers.
“This programme took many years to come to fruition and it demonstrates the dedication, tenacity and creative energy it takes to deliver outstanding storytelling which is deeply rooted in our culture. We are proud of MacTV and the entire team behind Sùlaisgeir: An t-Sealg.”
The Chicago International Television Festival, an offshoot of the long-running Chicago Film Festival, is a three-day festival celebrating the art of television productions and commercials from all around the world. Featuring premiere screenings, panel discussions, and an awards-night ceremony, the Festival honours the creativity and craft of Television’s brightest minds.
For more information go to: www.chicagofilmfestival.com/television-festival/
