Non-Gaelic viewers boost ratings for BBC Alba

Gaelic-language TV service BBC Alba has seen its audience soar by at least 100,000 since the channel was made available to viewers in Scotland on Freeview in June, it was claimed yesterday.

The estimated 40 per cent rise in viewing figures came as the Gaelic channel unveiled its schedule of new programmes for the autumn. They include a documentary series on the maternity unit at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness and a series on Highland veterinary surgeons working at the Blair Drummond safari park near Stirling and the Highland Wildlife Park.

Margaret Mary Murray, the head of service for BBC Alba, said official viewing figures on the switch to Freeview would not be made public for three months.

She said: “We are not going to publish our viewing figures until six months have passed. But I can say that we are very encouraged by both the feedback to the channel and also the numbers that we are seeing through our audience research. They reflect a substantial increase.”

“It is very, very encouraging that people find programmes on the channel that are of interest to them and which complement the other channels available in Scotland.”

She went on: “A significant number of viewers are non-Gaelic speakers and what we find is that Gaelic speakers and non-Gaelic speakers view the channel in different ways. Gaelic speakers tune in to BBC Alba primarily for news, current affairs, entertainment and drama when we are able to offer it. They use the channel like English speakers view BBC1 or ITV1. The three subjects that pull non-Gaelic speakers in are documentaries, music programmes and sport.”

Alasdair Morrison, chairman of MG Alba, the Gaelic Media Service, said: “We very much look forward to the new autumn season as the channel goes from strength to strength offering a premier package for our loyal viewers as well as those who have embraced the channel since its launch on Freeview.”