MG Alba wants stronger BBC Alba in Royal Charter

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-34462625

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More original, high quality programming on Gaelic TV channel BBC Alba should form part of the BBC's next Royal Charter, MG Alba has said.

Launched in September 2008, the channel now reaches on average more than 700,000 viewers per week in Scotland.

But MG Alba, which operates in partnership with the BBC, said 73% of what was shown was repeats.

Chairwoman Maggie Cunningham said the channel was "unique in its achievements" but lacked resources.

MG Alba said that on current funding only 1.7 hours of original output, including news, was possible per day.

It said this figure was "significantly short" of an ambition of three hours per day.

The organisation has called for a "stronger BBC Alba" and for the BBC to produce 10 hours of original programming per week for the channel for the next 10 years of the charter, in comparison to the current 4.4 hours currently developed.

Ms Cunningham said: "BBC Alba has enjoyed considerable success since its launch seven years ago and as the first channel delivered under BBC licence through a partnership, it is unique in its achievements.

"The channel now reaches more than 700,000 viewers per week and has cemented its place in Scottish broadcasting, valued by both Gaelic and non-Gaelic speakers alike.

"However, the channel cannot stand still.

"The high viewership of BBC ALBA has been achieved despite the significant number of repeats on the channel and it is clear that we must make progress in order to serve our Gaelic audience in a more comprehensive manner. We cannot risk audience fatigue setting in."

She added: "A lack of resources means that there is no weekend news available in Gaelic and there is a significant lack of original programmes for children and young people.

"There are also major gaps in comedy, entertainment and programming for learners."

BBC Alba's output has included comedy Two Days in October and Bannan, which is filmed on Skye, and is the first Gaelic drama to be made since Machair in the 1990s.

Along with CBeebies, it also commissioned a television adaption of Mairi Hedderwick's Katie Morag books. The show was filmed on Lewis in the Western Isles.

The Royal Charter sets out the public purposes of the BBC, guarantees its independence and outlines the duties of the BBC Trust.

The current charter runs until 31 December 2016.