In what many in Scotland who support Gaelic TV broadcasting will see as a short-sighted move the new Gaelic TV service will not initially be available on digital Freeview.

Although the BBC Trust has approved the Gaelic Digital Service (GDS) to be launched in the summer. It will at first be available only on cable, satellite and broadband not on Freeview amid concern over its value for money.

The decision seems to be at odds with an earlier Ofcom (Office of Communications regulator) commitment see section 1:39:

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The Ofcom report seems to give a clear public service broadcasting commitment in relation to S4C, the Scottish GDS Serviceand TG4 in N. Ireland.

The trust do give a vague commitment to carry out 'a review' of the services before the switch-over to digital television in the main Gaelic-speaking regions of Scotland in 2010 and 2011.

However digital Freeview television is already available in large areas of Scotland (see map link below) and the inclusion of the new Gaelic TV service from launch date would have ensured the reach of the services with immediate effect.

An added disadvantage is that the Freeview service is (as the title) would suggest is relatively cost free whereas the other platforms for the initial launch (cable, satellite and broadband) all come at a cost.

In addition although the service will be available on Freesat, a new free high definition (HD) satellite TV service available this spring anyone wishing to use it will have to buy an HD digital box, satellite receiver and HD-ready television at considerable cost.

Supporters of Gaelic TV who believe the service will make a valuable contribution to the culture and economy of Scotland and help save the Gaelic language have vowed to press for the service to be available on Freeview.

GDS chief executive Donald Campbell said "As far as we are concerned it must be on Freeview. Freeview will be the principle means of access for future television programmes after switch-over."

Another important political supporter of the service, Western Isles MP Angus MacNeil, said he is confident the case will be made for the Gaelic service to be allocated space on Freeview, saying, "It seems peculiar to me to put it on the satellite but not on Freeview," he said.

It is to be hoped that Gaelic TV in Scotland can be swiftly awarded a slot on Freeview in line with prevous Ofcom assurances. Several of the major Celtic Languages already enjoy maximum broadcast penetration with Welsh channel S4C available on Freeview, satellite and analogue services.

Meanwhile, in Ireland Irish language channel TG4 has major audience penetration being carried on satellite services across the whole Ireland with analogue provision on both the 26 county and some parts of the 6 county terrestrial TV systems. In addition the Freeview service in the north is expected to carry the TG4 service whilst the separate Irish digital terrestrial system (DTT) serving the south is already testing the channel.

See link below for United Kingdom digital terrestrial television (DTT) coverage map 2004 at which time the number of homes in Scotland receiving the service was estimated at 57% (that number has since grown considerably). Analogue switch-off in Scotland is scheduled for 2011.

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See also related articles on Celtic News:

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J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

29/01/08

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