Ofcom has approved STV's plan to end the standalone north-of-Scotland news programme as the broadcaster looks to save £2.5m. Most bulletins will be produced from Glasgow, though at least one-third of the 18:00 programme will remain region-specific. STV will keep journalists in Aberdeen, Dundee and Inverness, while unions, politicians and local business leaders warn the decision risks weakening local journalism and democratic scrutiny.
Ofcom Approves STV Plan to End Separate North-of-Scotland News Service
STV plans to have all news programmes presented from its Glasgow HQ [Getty Images]
Ofcom has formally approved STV's controversial proposal to discontinue its standalone news programme for the north of Scotland as the commercial broadcaster seeks to save £2.5m by next year.
What Has Changed
Under the revised licence, the distinct, separate news service that grew out of the former Grampian Television will end. Most bulletins will be produced and presented from Glasgow, and viewers in central and northern Scotland will receive largely the same stories. STV has said at least one-third of the main 18:00 programme will remain region-specific, preserving some tailored coverage for each area.
Staffing, Jobs and Local Presence
STV says it will retain journalists based in Aberdeen, Dundee and Inverness and intends to expand its digital news offering. Initial proposals suggested up to 60 job losses, but revised plans mean only a small number of roles remain at risk of compulsory redundancy; many staff have been redeployed or accepted voluntary redundancy.
Reactions and Concerns
The decision followed a lengthy consultation and strong opposition from the Scottish government, MSPs across the main parties, the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) and local business leaders. Staff and unions staged strikes and at times disrupted election coverage to protest the changes.
'This decision is bad for viewers, bad for business and bad for local democracy,' said Nick McGowan-Lowe, NUJ organiser for Scotland.
Russell Borthwick, chief executive of the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, described the ruling as deeply disappointing and warned that the north will lose the dedicated local presentation viewers have relied on for generations.
Ofcom Oversight and Broader Context
Ofcom has said it will monitor STV's compliance with the revised licence conditions and hold the broadcaster to account. STV argues the changes are necessary because of a long-term fall in traditional TV viewing, shrinking advertising revenue and a significant shift in audience behaviour. The company also emphasises that, as a commercial public service broadcaster receiving no public funding, it must operate sustainably.
Opponents counter that local journalism and democratic scrutiny will suffer and criticised the company for investing in new ventures such as a radio project while reducing core TV news capacity. Industry observers note there is limited scope for regulators to force commercial broadcasters to act contrary to their commercial interests.
Overall, the move represents one of the most significant changes to commercial television provision in Scotland in recent years, marking the end of the long-standing separate service for the north of Scotland.
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