BBC ALBA to begin broadcasting on Virgin TV

THE Gaelic language TV channel, BBC ALBA, is to become available on Virgin TV, from tomorrow.

Until now, BBC ALBA – a collaboration between BBC Scotland and the Scottish Government-funded Gaelic language TV body, MG ALBA – has only been available to those viewers with access to Sky and Freesat, with selected programmes made available on the BBC iPlayer and the Virgin Media on-demand service.

But from tomorrow, it is to be available Virgin channel 188.

Says a statement issued on behalf of the channel: “BBC ALBA will also soon be made available on Freeview and full details will be announced shortly.”

The statement quotes Alasdair Morrison, chair of MG ALBA, saying: “BBC ALBA now available on cable via Virgin Media is another great development for the channel with cable offering a platform to reaching out to a new group of viewers in Scotland, many of whom have been unable to enjoy our high quality Scottish programming to date.”

Margaret Mary Murray, head of Service for BBC ALBA, is also quoted, saying: “Launching on the Virgin Media Cable network marks a significant milestone for BBC ALBA and with the channel’s imminent launch on Freeview, BBC ALBA programmes will soon be available to be enjoyed by audiences across Scotland and beyond.”