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Ofcom, the UK’s television regulator, has given the green light to STV’s contentious proposal to reduce its news programming in the north of Scotland. This ruling comes after an extensive consultation period marked by significant resistance from the Scottish government, several prominent politicians, and the National Union of Journalists (NUJ). Despite the opposition, the regulator has confirmed that STV may proceed with plans that will alter how regional news is delivered across Scotland.
Under the approved scheme, STV will discontinue the completely independent news broadcast previously available to the northern Scottish audience—a service that traces its origins back to the former Grampian Television. Moving forward, all news broadcasts will be anchored from STV’s Glasgow headquarters, meaning that viewers in both northern and central Scotland will predominantly see the same news stories. However, STV has committed that at least a third of the main 6 pm programme will contain content customized to each region. The broadcaster also stated that it will maintain a physical reporter presence in Aberdeen, Dundee, and Inverness to preserve a “distinct regional character” and bolster its digital news offerings.
This restructuring will bring an end to the short segments during the 6 pm news that are dedicated exclusively to local issues from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Dundee. Ofcom has assured that it will closely supervise STV’s adherence to the updated licence conditions. Initially, it was anticipated that around 60 jobs could be cut as a result of the changes, but revised proposals have reportedly reduced the number of compulsory redundancies among staff. STV has pointed to a long-term decline in television viewership combined with shrinking advertising revenues as key factors necessitating the shift. The changes have sparked industrial action, with staff and unions staging strikes to contest the cuts.
Rufus Radcliffe, STV’s chief executive officer, defended the moves by citing a “significant shift” in audience behaviour. He stated, “As a commercial public service broadcaster, that receives no public funding, we are focused on the future and what we do best – trusted news and high-quality content that continues to resonate with audiences across all of Scotland.” Meanwhile, political parties across the spectrum—including the SNP, Scottish Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats, and Greens—had united in opposition by writing to Ofcom to denounce the plan. Nick McGowan-Lowe, the NUJ’s Scottish organiser, condemned the decision as “sadly predictable,” emphasizing that the proposal is “bad for viewers, bad for business and bad for local democracy – all of which rely on quality local journalism.” Questions were also raised about STV’s priority in investing in a radio station while implementing cuts to its core television news service.
Russell Borthwick, the chief executive of the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, described Ofcom’s endorsement of the changes as “deeply disappointing.” He lamented the loss of the dedicated northern news service and local presentation, which he noted has been a familiar and trusted element in viewers’ lives for generations. The controversy surrounding this decision highlights the profound challenges facing commercial TV in Scotland. Once a broadcaster that operated with a near-monopoly and considerable financial security, STV now navigates a landscape reshaped by evolving media consumption habits and economic pressures, with this ruling representing arguably the most significant alteration to commercial television in Scotland’s history
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