MG ALBA is the operating name of the Gaelic Media Service (Scottish Gaelic: Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig). The organisation's remit, under the Communications Act 2003, is to ensure that a wide and diverse range of high quality Gaelic programmes is made available to persons in Scotland. In addition to the former mandate to fund programme production and development, training, audience research and related activities, the new Service was given new powers to make, schedule and commission programmes and the authority to seek a broadcast licence. This gave MG ALBA the impetus to pursue its vision of managing a sustainable Scottish Gaelic media service that is vibrant, comprehensive, cost-effective, contemporary, and reflective of the finest quality of public service broadcasting.
The Communications Act specifies that "the functions of the Service shall be to secure that a wide and diverse range of high quality programmes in Gaelic are broadcast or otherwise transmitted so as to be available to persons in Scotland".
MG ALBA has offices in Stornoway and Glasgow.
MG ALBA has formed a partnership with the BBC to broadcast BBC Alba, Scotland's Gaelic TV channel, which was launched on 19 September 2008.
MG ALBA's remit also includes training and development for people working in Gaelic broadcasting. One of its talent development initiatives is Film G, a Gaelic short film competition whose winners are given opportunity to develop their programme ideas to broadcast standard.