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BBC Alba is playing an important role in Scotland's broadcasting landscape and should be available on Freeview, according to the Minister for Gaelic.

Responding to the BBC Trust's consultation on its review of the Gaelic channel, Fiona Hyslop has sent a clear message of support for BBC Alba.

As the channel's principal funder, the Scottish Government's response says it is satisfied with the performance of the channel and is strongly in favour of it being made more widely available.

With BBC Alba currently only available via satellite services, Ms Hyslop wants urgent action to be taken to extend availability to both cable and Freeview. The BBC Trust's review will decide whether or not the channel should be made available on Freeview.

Ms Hyslop said:

"Gaelic is integral to Scotland's cultural heritage and to our current cultural life. We are taking action to ensure that continues to be the case and BBC Alba has a huge part to play.

"The channel is providing an excellent service and we want to see its reach extended as soon as possible by securing its presence on Freeview.

"We recognise the critical role that broadcasting plays in supporting Gaelic learning and in making the language more accessible. That is why we are absolutely clear that the channel should be made available to the widest possible audience as quickly as possible.

"BBC Alba contributes both directly and indirectly to Gaelic education initiatives and is supporting Gaelic learners at all levels. Crucially, the channel has extended its appeal beyond its core audience of Gaelic speakers and learners; this is key to increasing awareness and accessibility to Gaelic.

"Over recent years, we have seen at best a management of the decline in numbers of people speaking Gaelic in Scotland. This Government is committed to taking action to reverse that decline and to inspire and motivate a new generation of Gaelic speakers. Such an outcome will provide a strong foundation on which to build a secure and sustainable future for the language. Broadcasting - and BBC Alba in particular - has an important role to play in achieving that goal."

The BBC Trust's consultation on its review of BBC Alba ends today.

The Scottish Government provides £12.4 million per annum to MG Alba, the BBC's partner in delivering BBC Alba. MG Alba contributed £10 million to the running of channel annually.

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