Bringing the UK to the world and the world to the UK

Coverage of global news and issues remained strong, ranging from Oceans and coverage of the Beijing Olympics to The American Future – A History, which reviewed US history in the run-up to the 2008 Presidential election. Â鶹Éç Scotland featured Scottish sporting achievement around the globe from tennis to curling, and in The Man Who Cycled the World brought a Scottish perspective to the concerns of other societies in a way that appealed to audiences in Scotland and beyond. Eòrpa and other Â鶹Éç Alba documentaries continued to provide a distinctively Scottish slant on global affairs. We noted a scarcity of Scottish material from Â鶹Éç Worldwide. Scottish culture has a strong global profile, as evidenced by the interest in the Homecoming and in the Burns anniversary. We believe increased investment would bring returns, and raised the issue with the Chief Executive of Â鶹Éç Worldwide when he attended a Council meeting in January.

Emerging communications

Compelling content on Â鶹Éç Three and Four and the Â鶹Éç News Channel played a part in easing digital switchover in the Borders in autumn 2008. News content was developed for new platforms and devices. Â鶹Éç Alba programming was made available on the Â鶹Éç iPlayer, and a Gaelic language portal created for it.

We identified a number of technological challenges which emerged during the year.

The Â鶹Éç will need to acquire more spectrum, or utilise its existing allocation more effectively, if it is to expand the opt-out schedule to meet audience demands. For Â鶹Éç Alba, availability on cable and DTT will be essential if the full potential of the channel is to be realised. DAB coverage in Scotland remains problematic, and the full extent of the 'digital divide' in the West of Scotland became apparent. We believe these issues will need to be resolved to ensure full delivery of the Â鶹Éç’s public purposes.