THE BBC has been urged to more than double its contribution to Scotland’s Gaelic broadcaster as part of an overhaul of the corporation.

It is hoped the move will lead to a reduction in the number of repeated programmes on BBC Alba and spark a rise in indigenous productions.

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Producers at MG ALBA, which runs the station alongside the national broadcaster, have called for the BBC to create 10 hours of bespoke programming a week, doubling the current four-and-a-half-hour deal.

That new commitment would put BBC Alba on a par with BBC Wales, which is guaranteed 10 hours under the terms of the Royal Charter.

MG ALBA said the new deal to double BBC programming would “enable BBC ALBA to build on its success”.

The White Paper on the charter, due to be renewed by the end of the year, states that the BBC should maintain its commitment to Gaelic language broadcasting through its partnership with MG ALBA.

A BBC source said: “BBC Alba has been a tremendous success and has outperformed targets set by the BBC Trust – and does so on a shoestring budget.

“Complainants say there are too many repeats. The reason for that is the resources. It would be a boost to the creative industries and their contractors around Scotland.”

The changes in the White Paper will be reviewed by Ofcom, which is the first time in its 90-year history that the BBC will be regulated by an external organisation.

Maggie Cunningham, chair of MG ALBA, said: “The value of Gaelic language broadcasting has been rightly recognised, but if BBC ALBA, which is now firmly part of the Scottish broadcasting landscape, is to progress and prosper we need more original programming.

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“There is widespread recognition across the political spectrum that the creative industries in Scotland will get a significant shot in the arm from us producing more programmes.

“BBC ALBA has been an outstanding success, but audiences deserve a more complete service and that means fewer repeats and more original programming.

She added: “In the coming months and weeks we will continue to strive to build support for an unequivocal commitment to be made to a minimum number of hours of programming for BBC ALBA and we urge all interested parties to support this aspiration.

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“We remain grateful for the support we have received from the BBC, Scottish and UK Governments and want to take the success of BBC ALBA to the next level.”

The plans will also preserve the licence fee, allowing it to rise in line with inflation from its current £145.50 level over the next five years.

People watching programmes on iPlayer will also have to pay for the first time.

Under the plans Scotland will get a specific “Scottish member” on a newly-created BBC Board, which will replace the current BBC Trust.

The BBC will be given clear obligations designed to ensure it properly serves audiences north of the Border.