BBC ALBA fills the TV gap with tranche of matches

SCOTTISH broadcaster BBC ALBA played its part in launching the new Magners League season yesterday by revealing the first series of live matches it will screen this season.

With both STV and BBC Scotland failing to show interest in the Scottish professional team games, BBC ALBA stepped into the breach to add rugby to an already busy stable of Scottish sport. With Italian rugby also announcing a new deal struck with Dahlia TV, a subscription-based channel, it meant that the Magners League will have seven broadcasters covering the tournament in 2010-11.

Live action on BBC ALBA will start with Glasgow's opening match on Friday 3 September against Leinster at Firhill, whilst coverage of Edinburgh's campaign will begin when they host Munster on Friday 10 September, live from Murrayfield. The TV coverage will begin at 7pm with the games kicking off at 7.05pm with Hugh Dan McLennan, the famous shinty commentator, taking the microphone for the gaelic commentaries.

BBC ALBA has signed an exclusive deal to show live Magners League rugby in Scotland for the next four years and as well as screening at least eight live home matches, the channel has teamed up with Irish, Welsh and Italian broadcasters to also provide live coverage of selected away matches for both sides.

The SRU's Director of Communications, Dominic McKay, stated: "It is great to be here in Cardiff with our own broadcaster part of the launch and knowing that we will be able to see Glasgow and Edinburgh on television this season. It is a big step for pro rugby in Scotland as games both home and away will be available for supporters in Scotland."

Alan Esslemont, head of content for BBC ALBA, said: "I am delighted that BBC ALBA will be there to provide live coverage of Glasgow and Edinburgh matches in the campaign ahead. With home games in their traditional Friday night slot, and away feeds supplied from our counterparts throughout match weekends, we are sure that rugby fans across the country will be anticipating our coverage and tuning in to the matches that lie ahead.

"BBC ALBA's coverage will be extremely fruitful for all concerned - fans, viewers, Edinburgh and Glasgow, rugby in Scotland and also for the channel. Last season, our Scottish professional teams reached new levels of success in the Magners League and we look forward to supporting them as they embark on the new season ahead, through our exclusive live TV coverage."

BBC ALBA is available on digital satellite, on Sky 168, Freesat 110 and live on BBC iPlayer. Ten hours of content per week is also available to view on demand via the BBC PC iPlayer and the BBC iPlayer on cable.