BBC Scotland Executive Report 2007/08

Much of the year was dominated with the planning required to deliver a multiplatform Gaelic Digital Service in conjunction with the Gaelic Media Service. After honing the initial proposition, at the request of the BBC Trust, approval was granted in January and the eagerly anticipated launch, on DSat, DCable and broadband, is scheduled for September 2008.

Programme highlights across 2007/08 include a second series of Rapal TV. Continuing its aim to showcase young musical talent from across Scotland, the programme was extended from 15 to 30 minutes, with the production team operating on a multi-media basis across both its television and radio versions. Gabh Gnothach, a first series commission for Spangle, funded by the Gaelic Media Service, targeted the younger audience as it explored what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur.

The popular Gaelic pre-school slot on BBC Two Scotland was also extended and is now on air, each weekday morning, for 50 weeks of the year. Working in association with the Gaelic Arts Project, BBC Alba filmed and streamed live from Stornoway the ambitious Hiort event, a Gaelic opera about St Kilda which was broadcast simultaneously in four other European countries.

The European current affairs series Eòrpa continued to go from strength to strength, finding favour with Gaelic and non-Gaelic speaking audiences. In its report on news and current affairs output in Scotland, published in May, the Scottish Broadcasting Commission noted that, at all of its public meetings, the programme had been commended for its 'ambitious explanatory journalism'.

Aimed at learners and native speakers of Gaelic, a new online Gaelic language news service was launched, its extended range covering Highland, Gaelic language and island stories and incorporating a Scotland-wide weather page.

BBC Radio nan Gàidheal's Derek Murray was voted the 2008 Celtic Media Festival's Radio Personality of the Year. In succeeding last year's winner, Mary Ann Kennedy, it is the fourth time a Radio nan Gàidheal presenter has scooped the prestigious award. On air, the Coinneach programme celebrated its 15th birthday; the weekly Spòrs na Seachdain continued to offer incisive reports and comment on a wide range of sports and the re-introduction of Gaelic football commentary during Scotland's Euro 2008 qualifying campaign proved popular with listeners. Marking the Highland Year of Culture, the Cuairtean website was launched in September, offering the audience virtual tours around areas of the Highlands and incorporating archive radio interviews, visuals and other related information. The website tied in with the transmission of radio and TV documentary series.

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