Hard on the heels of making its debut on Virgin TV, the Gaelic language TV channel, BBC ALBA, is to become available on Freeview, from early next month.
A June 8 date has been set for its appearance on Freeview. On Virgin, it's on channel 188.
In a statement issued by BBC ALBA – which is a collaboration between the BBC and the Scottish Government-funded Gaelic language TV body, MG ALBA – its chair, Alasdair Morrison, is quoted, as saying: “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 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.”
he stations being removed during BBC ALBA broadcast hours will still all be available on FM/AM and DAB radio frequencies where the overwhelming majority of people listen to radio. The radio stations are also available online and through Freesat and Sky TV and cable.
The hours of broadcast are: Weekdays – 17:00-00:00, Saturdays – 16:00-01:00 and Sundays – 16:00-00:00. It means some radio stations will not be available via Freeview: BBC Radio 1 / BBC Radio 2 / BBC Radio 3 / BBC Radio 4 / BBC Radio 4 Extra / BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra / BBC Asian Network / BBC World Service / BBC Radio Scotland / BBC Radio nan Gaidheal
But the following will remain available: BBC Radio 5 Live / BBC Radio 1 Xtra / BBC Radio 6 Music.
