BBC Trust Consider Proposal For Gaelic Digital Service

The BBC Trust have met to consider the proposal for the new Gaelic Digital Service, which is to be established and run in partnership by Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig (Gaelic Media Service) and BBC Scotland.
The BBC Trust’s public value assessment and Ofcom’s market impact assessment will begin on 16 August 2007, and further information about the public consultation process will be made available at that time.
Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig and BBC Scotland have been working together to agree the terms on which they will collaborate. Much work remains to be done, but it is expected that the Gaelic Digital Service will be on air by March 2008.
Commissioning is already underway for the new service and Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig is seeking programme submissions from both new and established producers of Gaelic television programmes. With new programmes to be broadcast daily, the Gaelic Digital Service will provide opportunities for employment and skills development in the Gaelic production sector.
Donald Campbell, chief executive of Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig, welcomed the BBC Trust’s decision to proceed with the public value test.
“The BBC Trust has taken an important step and we look forward to the outcome of the process and to the launch of the channel. We will devote our efforts in the coming months to listening to the views of the audience and to setting in train all the work that needs to be done in establishing the channel.”
Visit the website for further information: www.gms.org.uk
(DS)