Stornoway firm wins BBC ALBA contract

Seven production companies – including one in the Western Isles – have won contracts with the company which operates BBC ALBA.

MG Alba, which operates the Scottish Gaelic language BBC ALBA in partnership with the BBC, said the contracts would deliver a wide range of ‘high-impact programming’ for the channel over the next three years.

It said the contract announcement also represented a significant investment in Scotland’s creative industries and would provide a foundation for companies to grow.

The seven companies will provide content for BBC ALBA and its digital platforms including entertainment, music, children’s programmes and documentaries over three years.

The contracts have been awarded to companies located across Scotland, including Stornoway-based MacTV as well as Caledonia TV, Midas Media, Obh Productions and Solus Productions.

Margaret Cameron, commissioning editor and head of creative collaborations at MG Alba, said: ‘These new deals aim to ensure we can deliver on our ambition for high-impact content for BBC ALBA audiences in an environment that is increasingly competitive.

‘The last year has seen BBC ALBA suppliers responding with agility and creativity in incredibly challenging circumstances and our new agreements strengthen that capacity. The multi-year deals create stability and a basis for creative and commercial development.’

MacTV, the largest independent TV company in the Highlands and Islands, is owned by its 20-strong staff.

Seumas MacTaggart, head of production and development, said: ‘MacTV is looking forward to continuing our creative collaboration with MG ALBA with a wide range of high quality, multi-platform documentative content over the next three years. This contract with MG Alba is a great opportunity to instil even more confidence in the team, whilst aiming to deliver new, high-impact programmes for BBC ALBA’s audiences.’