BBC Alba to make Freeview debut tonight

Gaelic television channel BBC Alba will start broadcasting on Freeview for the first time tonight, but the move will result in the BBC's analogue radio stations going off air.

Last December, the BBC Trust approved the launch of BBC Alba on digital terrestrial television (DTT) in Scotland, after judging that the move would better serve Gaelic-speaking audiences and anyone wishing to learn the language.

BBC Alba, which airs Gaelic-language programming from the BBC, STV and independent production companies, will launch on Freeview channel 8 at 5pm this evening.

The service is already available in Scotland on Sky channel 168, Freesat channel 110, Virgin Media channel 188 and via live stream on BBC iPlayer.

Due to the lack of available bandwidth, carriage for BBC Alba will result in the BBC's main radio networks - Radio 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Live, Radio Scotland and World Service - not being available on Freeview between 5pm and 11pm every night.

Alasdair Morrison, the chairman of MG Alba, which operates BBC Alba with the BBC, said that those involved had "worked tirelessly" to bring the channel to Freeview.

"We have been grateful for the support from the BBC Trust as well as that received from politicians in Holyrood and Westminster," he said.

"We should be immensely proud of the creative talent that Scotland has to offer and are delighted that through BBC Alba we are able to nurture new talent and encourage a raft of innovative ideas for Gaelic production.

"We look forward to bringing both Gaelic and non-Gaelic viewers an exciting package of programming that we are greatly proud of and are delighted that it can now be enjoyed by everyone throughout Scotland."

BBC Alba's launch on Freeview comes as the channel announced plans to provide live coverage and highlights from the Rock Ness festival near Inverness.