Stimulating creativity and cultural excellence

Programmes for the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns found engaging approaches to the topic. There was high quality coverage of Scottish culture, although a way should be found to feature challenging material closer to the heart of the schedules. Â鶹Éç Scotland took creative risks with comedy from animation on television to topical sketches on Radio Scotland. We welcomed the return of drama to the Radio Scotland schedule.

The plan to make more network television in Scotland, initiated by the Trust, will bring economic benefits; but we believe its true value for audiences will lie in the development of indigenous talent. There is scope, too, for more Network Radio to be made in Scotland.

Representing the UK, its nations, regions and communities

The launch of Â鶹Éç Alba in September 2008 made a major contribution to delivery of this purpose. The channel, run in partnership with MG Alba, has transformed the broadcasting landscape in Scotland. It is clearly a highly valuable resource for the Gaelic community and for learners of the language. As a public service channel based in Scotland, with programmes commissioned and produced from a Scottish perspective, it plays a unique role in the Scottish broadcasting market.

Programmes rooted in Scottish experience drew a warm response from audiences. Examples included Scotland’s History, SOS – the History of the RNLI in Scotland, and coverage of the 60th anniversary of the NHS in Scotland. While network coverage of the latter did not do enough to reflect sub-UK dimensions, other network programmes such as Jimmy Doherty’s Farming Heroes and Britannia: The Great Elizabethan Journey set aspects of Scottish experience in a wider context and helped deliver this purpose. We believe that the Â鶹Éç should do more to reflect and celebrate Scottish life and culture in both network and Â鶹Éç Scotland programmes and content.

During the year we raised audience concerns about coverage of sport. We welcomed the return of Sportscene Highlights in a new form and at a better time, the innovative formats of Sport Monthly (Â鶹Éç Two Scotland) and Open All Mics (Radio Scotland), and improved television coverage of shinty in The MacAulay Cup.