17/08/2007

The chances of there being a dedicated TV channel for Gaelic language programmes received a boost yesterday when broadcasting regulators, Ofcom, said it believed the channel - were it go ahead - would not raise any ‘significant issues’, as far as adversely affecting the media market.

The decision - not surprising, given how little Gaelic language media there is - coincided with the launch yesterday, in Glasgow, of a Public Value Test by the BBC Trust.

The test - which will involve two rounds of consultation, then a final conclusion near Christmas - is of a proposal to broadcast up to seven hours of Gaelic language programmes per day, seven days a week, and including 1.5 hours of original programming.

The proposal is from both the BBC and the Scottish Executive-funded Gaelic Media Service. The channel’s estimated £17.9 million annual running cost would be made up of £10.1 million from the Gaelic Media Service and £7.8 million from the BBC.

Rival broadcaster, SMG, is not part of the proposal, but is contributing £1.2 million over three years to GMS, plus programme archives, to allow it to reduce its obligations to broadcast Gaelic language programmes. Already, since last year, a requirement to transmit Gaelic programmes at peak time has been reduced.

Should the test be passed, the new channel would be expected to be up and running at the end of March.

But it is not a done deal. Besides having to pass a market impact assessment, by Ofcom, the proposal has to hurdle six parts to the PVT: Fit for purposes, quality and distinctiveness, impact, reach and cost and value for money.

Yesterday, Jeremy Peat, BBC National Trustee for Scotland emphasised the process will be rigorous.

He said: “The Trust is responsible for ensuring that licence fee payers receive value for money from distinctive and high quality BBC services. In considering the proposal for a new Gaelic digital service, the Trust will listen to a wide range of voices across our audiences, seeking to understand all opinions and expectations. The PVT will be based in Scotland and the views passed to us through the consultation periods will inform our judgement.”

The PVT replaces responsibilities previously held by the relevant Secretary of State. The BBC Trust replaced the BBC board of governors at the start of this year.

While any outcome is possible - with Peat refusing to pre-judge the process - it will not be a yes/no decision.

Donald Campbell, chief executive of the GMS, yesterday said he hoped the subjects featured on the channel would be of interest to Gaelic and non-Gaelic speakers alike. “After digital switchover, every channel is digital. [Programming] is a challenge every channel faces.” He said GMS was already looking at what it might be broadasting in three years’ time.

Should the channel be up and running, it won’t necessarily mean an end to Gaelic programming on BBC Two Scotland.

Yesterday, the PVT process began in earnest, with an afternoon meeting between the Trust and 30-40 Gaelic culture ‘stakeholders’.

Take part in the consultation process, here.

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