BBC ALBA LAUNCHES PREMIER PACKAGE OF NEW AUTUMN PROGRAMMES

BBC ALBA’s autumn programme launch was celebrated today (Thursday) at BBC Scotland, Pacific Quay, Glasgow, with an exciting schedule of new programmes being unveiled.

Two years on, the channel’s premier package of new programmes continues to provide a range of high quality, distinctive, Scottish programming covering the full spectrum of genres, including daily news, documentaries, factual series, current affairs and religion, entertainment and lifestyle, music, children and youth programming and sports coverage.

The channel has made a positive impact on broadcasting in Scotland since its launch, and this year’s Autumn schedule highlights its significant contribution to the independent production sector.

In 2009, BBC ALBA was proud to be the biggest commissioner of independent production hours in Scotland with over 260 hours of new programming being produced across all genres.

This year, the channel will broadcast 620 hours of new programmes with over 400 being supplied through MG ALBA funded commissions for BBC ALBA, of which over 70% are from independent production companies. Work has been commissioned from 20 such companies including Sorbier Productions, TernTV, Bees Nees, MacTV, mneTV, Pure Magic Films, Madmac Productions to name but a few, as well as series from both Scottish broadcasters STV and the BBC.

Some highlights from the BBC ALBA schedule over the new season include:

Dìleas/Working Dogs: a new series exploring the world of working dogs featuring dogs like Buddy, who with his handler goes in search of illegal drugs, as well as Mitch and Jay, Scotland's only ‘accelerant detector dogs’ working with Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service.

Partick/Partaig: Renowned over the years as being a focal point for Gaels in Glasgow, the Partick area of the city features in a new series and follows Gaels from all walks of life as they go about their daily routines exploring how much of the area’s rich Gaelic identity remains today.

Ruadh/Ginger Gene: Scotland, with 13%, has the highest concentration of redheads per head of population anywhere in the world. And almost half of Scots carry the ginger gene. As a proud redhead Catriona MacPhee finds out what lies behind the statistics. It’s a fascinating story about evolution, genetics, the complexity of prejudice, the roots of identity, and EVEN the threat of extinction. For Catriona it’s a story of family and ancestry. In Ginger Gene she tells her story, exploring her roots and discovering the importance of being red.

Thar an Aiseig/Ferry Tales: the new series Ferry Tales, filmed over 12 months, takes a colourful look at the challenges of running and relying upon the open waves and waterways of Scotland. We meet the crew and the passengers (not all human!), for whom ferries are a part of daily living. What happens when the engines fail and hundreds of passengers are marooned? Will an expectant mother have to wake the ferryman in the middle of the night in order to make the hospital on time? And will our only ferry-woman pass her exams and give her male crew members a run for their money?

Music: Music festivals and events recorded throughout Scotland are at the core of BBC ALBA’s music offering with traditional, celtic, country and the best of indie music all feature; programmes include Horo Gheallaidh and Tìr nan Òran/Heartland Song, celebrating the BBC’s Year of Gaelic Song.

Margaret Mary Murray, Head of Service for BBC ALBA, said: “BBC ALBA is a Gaelic language channel with unique programmes aimed at audiences in Scotland. It has been extremely successful since its inception and has been popular with both Gaelic and non-Gaelic audiences across the whole of Scotland and we look forward to bringing viewers some exciting new programmes produced by the superb creative talent that is so evident in Scotland.”

Alan Esslemont, Head of Content for BBC ALBA, said: “We are hugely excited about the suite of new programmes lined up for autumn and winter viewing. An array of factual programming will feature on BBC ALBA, including the new ‘Working Dogs’ series and an intriguing look at the ‘Ginger Gene’, as well as the award winning Eòrpa current affairs series, along with children’s favourites Peppa Pig and De a-nis?. Exclusive coverage of traditional music and cultural events from across the country will continue and sport remains a popular strand on the channel with the introduction of professional rugby this season being very well received by viewers.”

Alasdair Morrison, Chairman of MG ALBA said: “The channel has made great progress over its first two years offering a rich content of programming across all genres and appealing to the Scotland-wide audience. I am also very pleased at the channel’s contribution to the creative sector and helping boost the broadcasting industry in Scotland through commissions from independent producers.

“We are now at a crucial stage of the channel’s development awaiting the impending decision from the BBC Trust as to whether BBC ALBA will be made available on the Freeview platform which would allow us to achieve greater viewer access for all in Scotland.”

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.