BBC Audience Council Scotland Report

Priority 4

‘Ensure that, following the move to Pacific Quay, there is an increased programme of events and activities which connect with licence payers, in Glasgow and across Scotland.’

The Council noted that BBC Scotland delivered an imaginative and comprehensive programme of events and activities in connection with the new Pacific Quay building, and throughout Scotland.

The priority was met.

Priority 5

‘Work to ensure an appropriate level and quality of coverage of sport from the BBC for audiences in Scotland.’

The Council monitored audience logs, met with stakeholders and considered BBC Scotland research. The most prominent issue concerned coverage on terrestrial television of Scotland’s progress in the qualifying stages for Euro 2008, the most successful qualifying campaign the national team has had in recent years. For a range of reasons, in spite of the best efforts of the BBC, many of the key matches were not shown live on the BBC, or other free-to-air channels. Matches which were shown included some of the highest audiences of the year for BBC Scotland.

Positive progress has been made in coverage of sport on BBC Scotland with the launch of broadband coverage of the Scottish Premier League (SPL), live TV coverage of the Scottish Cup and some club matches, strong SPL coverage on BBC Radio Scotland, the return of SPL highlights to BBC Scotland television, the reintroduction of Gaelic commentary for international football, and imaginative coverage of a wide range of sports away from football, from shinty and curling to cricket.

Going forward

• The Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) lists certain sporting events which must be made available for free-to-air terrestrial broadcasters. They are defined as those “generally felt to have a special national resonance” and should “contain an element which serves to unite the nation”. The Council recommends that as part of an impending review, the DCMS add the qualifying stages of international football competitions to the list of events which must be made available to terrestrial broadcasters.

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