The board of the BBC has launched a "Public Value Test" to find out what a digital Gaelic TV channel would be worth to viewers. Those with a particular interest (the supporters of Gaelic have been pressing for a dedicated Gaelic TV channel for many years) and the general public are being asked to submit their comments. The BBC has calculated that the digital Gaelic TV channel plus an enhanced Radio Nan Gaidheal service and more internet content on BBC Alba would cost £18 million a year. That equates to £209 for all 86,000 Gaelic speakers in Scotland (according to the 2001 census) - far more than the £135.50 annual licence fee paid by each household with a TV. The BBC caters for many minority interests, but admits that the value of such a Gaelic service would be "difficult to calculate". But with the Scottish Executive already committed to providing £11.9 million a year for Gaelic programming, the consultation exercise is probably academic and services are likely to start on a digital channel next year. Being a BBC service, there would be no commercial advertising on the channel.
