STV to cut 60 jobs and axe north news programme

STV to cut 60 jobs and axe north news programme

As STV moves forward with cost-cutting measures, the broadcaster has announced plans to eliminate 60 jobs and discontinue its north of Scotland television news program. This decision comes in light of a £0.2m loss in the first six months of 2025, with STV seeking £2.5m in savings by the following year. As a result, the central belt and north of Scotland news will be merged into a single program originating from Glasgow, with dedicated sections for regional news.

In an effort to adapt to changing news consumption habits, STV’s chief executive, Rufus Radcliffe, emphasized the need to evolve their output as linear viewing declines and digital news consumption rises. Radcliffe stated that the shifts in news consumption have necessitated difficult decisions to safeguard STV’s news service for the future. The decision to scrap the north of Scotland news program will require approval from the regulator Ofcom and is expected to undergo a consultation process shortly.

Advertising revenue for STV plummeted to £45m from £50m in the same period last year, leading to a significant blow to the company’s financial standing. The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) condemned the planned cuts, deeming them “devastating.” Nick McGowan-Lowe, the NUJ Organiser for Scotland, expressed concern over the impact on the journalistic integrity of local and national news produced by STV News staff throughout Scotland

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More