Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Annual Report 2014/15: Independence Referendum and Commonwealth Games help draw in record audiences

Date: 14.07.2015     Last updated: 14.07.2015 at 11.06

The Referendum on Independence and the Commonwealth Games saw the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ having its busiest year ever in Scotland, as highlighted in the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ’s Annual Report published today.

Record audiences watched the Games unfold on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ television with live coverage reaching 78% of the audience in Scotland – 3.6 million people. The opening ceremony alone attracted a maximum of 1.8m Scottish viewers, with 9.3 million tuning in across the UK.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ news in Scotland played a key role in keeping audiences well informed during the Independence Referendum on television, radio and online. The largest ever televised political debate in the UK, in front of 7,500 young voters was broadcast on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One from SSE Hydro in Glasgow on 11 September, and the Alex Salmond/Alastair Darling debate in August attracted a third of the TV audience in Scotland.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ ALBA featured innovative new programming such as the powerful vernacular drama Bannan, comedy in Torcuil’s Guide to being a Gael as well as Gaol@Gael and a music quiz Fonn Fonn Fonn.

In comedy, Mrs Brown’s Boys was also the UK’s most watched Christmas Day programme, with 9.7 million viewers (34%). Radio highlights included the eight-part History of Scottish Literature, more than 130 music sessions, plus six new comedy pilots commissioned and broadcast. Radio nan Gaidheal was recognised Station of the Year by the Celtic Media Awards 2015.

Audience Council Scotland which advises the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Trust, commended Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ coverage of the referendum debate. A range of views among licence payers, about how the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ covered this historic event were noted by the Council. Overall it said audiences would welcome more coverage about Scotland on network news. It was also felt that Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Scotland should have greater authority and resources to commission programmes specifically for Scottish audiences.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Trustee for Scotland Bill Matthews said:

"Last year the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ had its busiest year in Scotland with some truly memorable, high quality programmes. Events such as the Commonwealth Games and the Independence Referendum brought viewers from around the globe to Scotland, and the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ covered these events for UK and international audiences with great professionalism.

"Noting that Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Television reached a greater proportion of the audience in Scotland than it did across the UK as a whole, Audience Council Scotland still feels that more should be done in Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ output to reflect the unique cultural and political landscape of Scotland to audiences both in Scotland and across the UK."

Notes to editors:

  1. The Audience Council Scotland’s Annual Review for 2014/15.
  2. The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Annual Report and Accounts for 2014/15 .
  3. The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Northern Ireland Management Review of local programmes and services for 2014/15.