BBC ALBA is a Gaelic language television channel currently available on satellite and via BBC iPlayer. It aims to serve Gaelic speakers, those learning the language, those that might wish to learn, and those interested in the language and culture. It aims to reflect and support Gaelic culture, identity and heritage.

At the BBC Trust it’s our responsibility to get the best out of the BBC for licence fee payers. One of the ways we do this is through the Public Value Test. We used this to approve the launch of BBC ALBA last year. One of the conditions we set was that after a year of operation we should examine how well the channel is performing.  We are now beginning this review.

The review is in two parts. Part 1 will look at two key areas: whether the channel is achieving wide appeal to viewers beyond existing Gaelic speakers and contributing to the broader educational strategy for the language.

Part 2 of the review will consider whether to make the channel available to more people by putting it on Freeview (it is currently only available via satellite and limited cable suppliers). There is only a limited amount of space on Freeview that the BBC can use. The BBC Executive has suggested a way it could find room for BBC ALBA. They would do this by removing of the BBC’s network radio stations, from Freeview in Scotland-only, when BBC ALBA is on air (usually between the hours of 17:00 and 23:30 each weekday and from 16:00 at weekends). This would allow BBC ALBA to be on air at this time instead.

The radio stations that would be affected are BBC Radios 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 live, 5 live Sports Extra, BBC 1Xtra, BBC Asian Network, BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio 7, BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio nan Gàidheal and BBC World Service. These stations would still be available as usual via a combination of FM/AM/LW, DAB and online. We will also decide whether the current Gaelic zones on BBC Two should remain in place.

We want to hear from you.  To give us your views click here.

The closing date is 18 January 2010.

If you would prefer to respond by email or post, please download our consultation document for individuals (below) and return it to us at the address below.

Organisations

Our online survey is designed for the general public. If you are an organisation, please download our consultation document for organisations (below) and return it to the address below.

BBC Trust (BBC ALBA review), 180 Great Portland Street, London W1W 5QZ or trust.consultations@bbc.co.uk