³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Alba – a new channel for Scotland
Introduction
³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Alba – the new Gaelic television channel – today unveiled the
premiere package that will celebrate the channel's launch on
Friday 19 September at 9.00pm.
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The channel will go live with a new version of the classic Runrig song Alba, specially re-recorded for the occasion by a host of
Gaelic stars, including Karen Matheson from Capercaillie, Tony
Kearney from River City and traditional singers Arthur Cormack and Cathy-Ann MacPhee.
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Children attending the Glasgow Gaelic
School will also feature in the video.
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The launch of the channel will be celebrated with a major outside
broadcast – a live music special from the Isle of Skye featuring
Mary Ann Kennedy, Julie Fowlis, Skippinish and others – and a
launch party in Edinburgh.
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This will be followed by an original drama, Eilbheas, set in Seventies
Lewis and starring Greg Hemphill as Elvis, and a gripping
drama/documentary, Peter Manuel – Deireadh an Uilc? (The End of
Evil?) starring Andrew Clark.
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³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Alba – a partnership service between MG ALBA and ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Scotland
– will deliver high quality, distinctive home-produced
programming.
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The channel will broadcast up to seven hours a day and
feature:
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Documentaries
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Sports coverage
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Music and entertainment programmes
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Daily news
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Long-standing Gaelic brands including ·¡Ã²°ù±è²¹, Dè a-nis?and the CBeebies Gaelic block will find a new home on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Alba
while continuing to be broadcast on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Two Scotland.
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Alan Esslemont, Head of Content for MG Alba, said today: "We are confident that viewers will find the package of
programmes attractive and the schedule will both match the
expectations of Gaels who have waited a very long time for this
milestone in broadcasting and appeal to a broad audience across
Scotland."
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Margaret Mary Murray, Head of Service for ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Alba, said: "The launch of ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Alba is a landmark for Gaelic broadcasting and
the Gaelic community and it is hoped that this new channel will
also be a valued addition to the Scottish audience."
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The regular faces of ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Alba will be Fiona Mackenzie, from
Lewis, who will be the daily continuity presenter, weather
forecaster Kirsteen MacDonald, from Inverness, and sports reporter
Evelyn Coull from Lewis.
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Some highlights from the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Alba schedule over the next few
weeks include:
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Cuide ri Cathy (MNE) – 21 x 30 minutes
A new series in which Cathy MacDonald spends a day in the life of
some of Scotland's leading public figures and top celebrities
including First Minister Alex Salmond, golfer Colin Montgomerie
and author Irvine Welsh.
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Turas Trump (Midas)
Who is the real Donald Trump and what is his Scottish connection?
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Zinedine Zidane (MacTV)
A unique documentary about the life of the French football
superstar and his final world cup match.
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Ola / Oil (³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Gaidhlig)
A look at Scotland's oilmen – onshore, offshore and farther
afield.
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Scottish and international documentaries will carry English
subtitles.
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Sports coverage will include SPL and live SFL football, live
Scottish rugby and shinty.
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Notes to Editors
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This Introduction page and the FAQ page are available in Gaelic as a PDF through the links on the right-hand side of this press pack.
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³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Scotland Press Office
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