19 September saw the launch of the eagerly awaited Gaelic language satellite TV channel. The launch was celebrated by pupils from the Glasgow Gaelic School, which has a school roll of more than 400 pupils, along with leading figures from BBC ALBA and the Scottish Government Minister for Culture, Linda Fabiani MSP.
The service will combine television, radio and on-line programmes and is anticipated to stimulate parents' interest in Gaelic medium education, appeal to and serve adult learners and strengthen Gaelic usage in new media as well as increase artistic and technical skills, extend economic opportunities.
It will be on-air for up to seven hours a day, and the service will broadcast a live news programme for 30 minutes every weekday and will show more Scottish sport than any other channel, with over 3 hours a week of football, rugby and shinty.
BBC ALBA is a partnership service between MG ALBA and BBC Scotland which will deliver high quality, distinctive home-produced programming to assist with the development of positive attitudes to the learning and speaking of Gaelic.