The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/web/20110526044519/http://www.bbc.co.uk:80/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-13479551

BBC Alba Freeview date unveiled

BBC Alba indent BBC Alba will launch on Freeview on 8 June

Related Stories

The date when Gaelic television service BBC Alba will start to broadcast on Freeview has been announced.

The Gaelic channel will be on Freeview Channel 8 from 8 June - the same day as the digital switchover begins at the Blackhill transmitter.

The channel, which has been on air for more than two years, was originally only available on satellite. However it became available on cable last week.

The move will impact on Freeview coverage of BBC radio channels.

Due to a lack of bandwidth, many of the corporation's radio stations will go off air when BBC Alba is broadcasting - but not 1 Extra, 5 Live and 6 Music.

A marketing campaign is being launched to highlight the increased availability of the channel, which is a joint venture between the BBC and the Gaelic media service MG Alba.

Alasdair Morrison, chairman of MG Alba, said: "Launching BBC Alba on both the Freeview and cable platforms is a true landmark for Gaelic broadcasting.

"We have been immensely proud of the channel's achievements to date, appealing to both Gaelic and non-Gaelic speakers, and the BBC Trust's decision to make it available on Freeview is a testament of its success.

"Being positioned so prominently on the Freeview listings reflects the channel's contribution and is now a one button step for viewers to enjoy our programming."

'Variety and quality'

Ken MacQuarrie, director BBC Scotland added: "We know that viewers who already tune into BBC Alba really appreciate the variety and quality of the programmes it offers.

"Making it available on Freeview and cable now means that audiences throughout the whole of Scotland will be able to enjoy these programmes in addition to those already watching on satellite."

First Minister Alex Salmond said increasing access to BBC Alba supported the Scottish government's ongoing work to build a sustainable future for Gaelic.

More on This Story

Related Stories

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites

BBC Highlands & Islands

Weather

Highland

Thursday day weather

Heavy Rain
  • Heavy Rain
  • Max: 11°C
  • Min: 6°C
  • Wind: N 7mph

Features & Analysis

Elsewhere on the BBC

  • Chiang Mai Women's Prison Spa,Bizarre spas

    The world's strangest places to de-stress - in a brewery, a prison, or even underwater

Programmes

  • Windows Phone 7 home screenClick Watch

    Microsoft unveils over 500 changes in a Windows 7 Mobile update, likely to be used in Nokia smartphones

bbc.co.uk navigation

BBC © 2011 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.