TBh - Gaelic Digital Service

[*Alasdair*]

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcastin ... rvice.html

Just cause they can't speak it...or the fact it won't make them £Millions.

Views and opinions?

[Gràisg]

'Christopher Woolard, the BBC Trust's head of finance, economics and strategy, said that on the current body of evidence provided by the BBC executive, "the potential public value would not be sufficient to justify the level of investment proposed".'

Well thank goodness there are people around who feel that minority languages have a value that can be measured in other ways than that of how Mr Christopher Woolard sees the world. Maybe the beeb will be a bit short if they have to payback some of the money from the phone-in fiascos.

The Gaelic channel? I don't know why they can't start today, surely there is enough material lying on the shelves to put out something 24/7, especially the like of the Speaking our Language videos? The old Can Seo must be in the vid vault somewhere, that was pretty good stuff in its day too.
It is high time that there was more on-line versions of programmes to be had too - gaelic learners are all over the world and it is inconvenient (even in Scotland) for a lot of people to watch telly between 1800 and 2000 on a Thursday.
I don't know who they are consulting but I think it is obvious that nobody can watch it until it is on and that demand only builds up once something starts, take the River City soap for example...

It's all time lost, more talk, talk, talk...

's e sin mo bheachdsa co-dhiù a chàirdean

[GunChleoc]

I would watch it if I had a method of receiving it... which I don't.

An online version sounds like a good idea, but as long as they're scared of making any investment at all, I don't see it.

It they make a big splash with it and deliver a good service, I don't see why people shouldn't be watching it.

[*Alasdair*]

The ironic thing is, they are moaning about it going to cost £18M but it will only cost £2.5M more than what they already spend on Gaelic stuff....

Another one of the arguments was that if they had to fire 1500+ people how can they afford to make a new channel - Emm, it's a different department people!

I have seen the proposed schedule and it looks really good - The bonus being ALL the programmes have subtitles! (So even the English speakers can watch it)

If it actually gets the go ahead (Which, tbh, i see as unlikely due to all the money grabbing bigots there are out there) it should be on air in March '08.

GunChloec - It will be FTA on Satellite

[GunChleoc]

Tha mi a' creidsinn gum biodh e math dhomh taigh agam fhèin a cheannachd. Mar sin b' urrainn dhomh sattelite dish a chur ann

[MartinMcNicol]

If a gaelic channel was started I am certain it would encourage more intrest and help to increase numbers learning the language. If you argue that the number of speakers is too small at the moment how do they propose to increase the number of speakers without the channel.

I believe public consulation is to take place before a final decision

(Sorry my gaelic is not good enough to say this)

[Tearlach61]

I was listening to an interview on this subject yesterday on RNG aithris na maidne. I am not sure who it was but it seemed he's involved in putting together the new digital channel. He seemed to think that the channel was going to happen anyway, that rather it was a question of whether or not the BBC would be involved. I'd have to listen to it again more carefully to give a better report on it.

Beyond that about all I can say is: save us from bean counters,

Chuck

[Coinneach Cìr]

You are correct a Mhàrtainn, there will be a public consultation on the BBC Trust provisional conclusions starting on November 21st. I'll be writing to them and encouraging my evening class students to do so too.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/hig ... 091026.stm
All in English because I'm really needing to go to bed and want to avoid any ambiguity on this topic.

[Níall Beag]

The problem with the argument that it disproportionately favours a minority is that anything else disproportionately disfavours that self-same minority and has for some time. Public service broadcasting was never intended to serve the majority in the same way as, for example, Sky One does. It is widely accepted that cultural items of minority interest need disproportionate public funding, hence why the Royal Opera is subsidised via the Arts Council while MTV has to raise their own cash, thankyouverymuch.

So what's the problem?
(Scratches head)

[GunChleoc]

Seo àiste eile, anns an Albannach: BBC sounds a warning note on funding of Gaelic digital broadcasting

THE future of a planned Gaelic digital broadcasting service was uncertain last night after the BBC warned it must do more to justify the millions of pounds of funding it will need.

A report from the BBC Trust Unit said the proposed service could deliver public value, but insisted increased investment could only be justified if the service could attract more viewers.

The new service, due to launch next March, has been proposed by the BBC in partnership with the publicly funded Gaelic Media Service (GMS).

It would include a dedicated TV channel in Gaelic, broadcasting for up to seven hours a day, Radio Nan Gaidheal and "significantly enhanced" BBC website Gaelic content.

The cost would be £17.9 million a year, of which £10.1 million would come from GMS and over £7.5 million from the BBC, including £5 million it already spends on Gaelic.

Uill, 's e mòran airgead a th' ann, ach cha bhi 2.5 millean not a bharrachd gach bliadhna cus, saoilidh mi.

GMS has previously stated it will launch the service by itself if need be.

Siuthad!

[Níall Beag]

When the consultation opens, I'll be making the following point:

As an teacher of English as a foreign language, one of the main problems I have is presenting students with material that appeals to their interests. Learner interest is vital to maintain motivation to study and progress in a language.

As a learner of Gaelic, BBC TV broadcasts were a vital part of my learning routine. However, the limited choice became frustrating and I stopped forcing myself to watch programs that were not personally relevant to me. I am certain that many others will have had the same experience as me, but many may not be aware of it and unlike myself will have drifted away from the language.

It is my opinion that the channel as proposed is an invaluable resource to learners in that it provides them with a choice of material and a choice of time to access them. I am optimistic that the service as proposed would be of real utility in encouraging and assisting learners to reach proficiency in the language.

While seeking to take an active part in teaching the language is a laudable goal, I fear it would be counter-productive to attempt this. Language must be learnt through active involvement, but watching television is a passive activity so cannot be considered as a core medium for language learning. I would suggest that any specific learner programming should be modelled on the excellent radio series Litir do Luchd-Ionnsachaidh.

An education remit could be delivered by providing supporting materials to assist Gaelic teachers in using programs in class -- I have seen Dolina NicLeòid use STV broadcasts to good effect with advanced classes at the Sabhal Mór Ostaig, for example.

[GunChleoc]

Abair deagh litir a sgrìobh thu

[*Alasdair*]

http://news.scotsman.com/gaelic.cfm?id=1819362007

"Minister backs Gaelic TV channel to boost language"

"Writing in Scotland on Sunday, he said that the channel was necessary to boost the language, which is being learnt by increasing numbers of children outside its traditional heartlands."

And from one of the commments:

"The Scottish Office did some market research and found 98% of those interviewed would view the channel.

They need to make the channel like TG4 in ireland. It is mostly all Gaelige, but they have American shows dubbed or with Gaelige subtitles, that way it will attract many more people.

Here is the document on the proposals for the channel including a mock schedule:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/assets/fi ... r_desc.pdf

[ruighean]

Seo a fhuair sinn nar n-inboxes an-diugh:-

A’ chàirdean

Mar a bhios fios agaibh, thathas an dùil gum bi Seirbheis Didseatach Ghàidhlig air an eadhar sa Mhàrt 2008, air a steidheachadh agus a stiùireadh le co-bhanntachd de Sheirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig agus BBC Alba.

Mar phàirt den obair a dh’ionnsaigh na seirbheis seo, tha Urras a BhBC air a bhith an sàs ann a’ measadh luach poblach na cùise, agus bi iad a foillseachadh na ciad co-dhùnaidhean aca air an 21mh den mhìos seo. As dèidh sin thèid co-luadar poblach air adhart. Ann an co-cheangal ris a cho-luadar sin tha coinneamh gu bhith ann an Sabhal Mòr Ostaig seachdain Diardaoin sa-tighinn, an 29th agus tha an cuireadh a leanas air tighinn bhon BhBC.

"Jeremy Peat, BBC Trustee for Scotland and members from the Audience
Council for Scotland would be delighted if you could join them for a
buffet lunch at 12.30pm on Thursday, 29 November 2007 in the Talla
Dhonaidh Caimbeul at Sabhal Mor Ostaig.

We would welcome the opportunity to hear your views on the Trust's
provisional conclusions on the proposed (BBC/Gaelic Media Service)
Gaelic Digital Service, which by that date will be open to public
consultation. Details will be available on the Trust's website at
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/consult/o ... index.html

There will be a short briefing on recent developments followed by
informal discussion and debate.

I would be grateful if you could inform Sarah Lathan on 0141 422 6076 or
at sarah.lathan@bbc.co.uk if you are able to attend."

Michelle

Michelle Dunlop
Accountability Manager
Tel.: 0141 422 6074
Email: michelle.dunlop@bbc.co.uk

[ruighean]

Chunnaic mi seo air làrach-lìn a' BhBC an-dràsta fhèin:-

The BBC Trust has withheld approval of plans for a new Gaelic Digital Service until more evidence of its wider appeal has been demonstrated.
The trust also said further evidence of educational benefits must be shown.

The service has been planned in partnership between BBC Scotland and the Gaelic Media Service (GMS).

Giving its provisional conclusions, the trust said the new channel could deliver public value but that more information was required.

The television, radio and online service would receive £18m in funding from the BBC and GMS and include 35 hours of Gaelic language programming.

The BBC's share of funding would include an additional £2m to that already provided for Gaelic content.

The trust, which monitors how the corporation spends the licence fee, said it believed the service could deliver substantial public value and that there was a great deal of support for the channel from the public.

Public consultation

However, National Trustee for Scotland, Jeremy Peat, said the proposal was lacking details.

The BBC and GMS partnership now has until the end of the year, when public consultation ends, to provide more evidence on the educational and wider audience benefits.

A final decision will be taken in January, although the government-funded GMS has already promised to press on with plans for the new channel with or without the BBC.

Earlier this month, a public value assessment concluded that the service must offer more to justify the level of spending needed.