BBC ALBA To Further TV Coverage Of Rugby

BBC ALBA "will be covering more Scottish Rugby matches this season," according to the SCOTSMAN. BBC ALBA stepped in two years ago to "fill the void in coverage of Scottish professional rugby," and although the commentaries remain in Gaelic, much of the program is in English, including "half-time interviews and reports with players and backroom staff." On Sunday, the channel broadcasted Rangers' fixture with Brechin City "sparking fears that its focus might switch now to the Ibrox club." BBC ALBA Head of Content Allan Esslemont explained, "Rugby remains very important to us and we will be showing more games, albeit still within the limited budget that we have, this season." He added, "With the help of a coalition of broadcasters from Ireland, Wales and Italy we are able to provide coverage in Scotland and get reciprocal games from the other countries" (SCOTSMAN, 7/31).