The media regulator Ofcom has approved STV's plans to amend its regional news licences, paving the way for a single edition of its flagship News At 6 programme to be broadcast from Glasgow, with dedicated regional segments.
Changes to news programming
In December, STV applied to Ofcom for permission to drop the regionalised versions of its evening news programme across its Central and North licensing areas. Under the approved plan, a single programme from Glasgow will be produced, featuring a shared section (70%) with contributions from across Scotland, alongside separate sections specific to each licence (30%).
Ofcom stated: “We are of the view that STV’s proposals to share more of its news programming across its two licence areas and remove the requirement to produce sub-regional opts will allow STV to continue to serve audiences with high-quality regional news.”
The regulator added: “It is crucial that people continue to be well served with quality regional news as their habits change. In a difficult and ever-changing environment, it must be made more sustainable so that it can be preserved.”
Regulatory conditions
Ofcom noted that unlike STV’s original request for all regional news to be shared at any time, the revised proposal permits no more than 70% of content (in peak) to be shared, ensuring a distinct regional character is retained. STV will maintain newsgathering resources in all its news bases, and it will be an enforceable licence condition that shared output is of particular interest to viewers in both areas.
“More broadly, STV is also rebalancing its news offering to increasingly reach audiences on digital platforms,” Ofcom said.
Industry and political reaction
STV’s chief executive Rufus Radcliffe welcomed the decision, saying: “We’re incredibly proud of STV News At 6, which remains Scotland’s most-watched news programme, but like all public service media companies, we must respond to the significant shift in audience behaviour.”
However, the move has been met with strong opposition from politicians and journalists. Russell Borthwick, chief executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: “Ofcom’s decision is deeply disappointing and flies in the face of overwhelming public opinion across northern Scotland. Our recent survey of more than 3,200 people found that 83% opposed these proposals, with fewer than one in 20 supporting them.”
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has campaigned against the changes. Nick McGowan-Lowe, NUJ Scotland’s national organiser, said: “Ofcom’s remit is to act in the interests of viewers, yet today it has rubber-stamped plans that were supported by only 4% of viewers in the north and north-east of Scotland.”
Conservative MSP Douglas Lumsden described the decision as “a disgraceful decision that will undoubtedly have devastating consequences for its Aberdeen newsroom.” SNP candidate Richard Thomson said: “This is a dark day for regional broadcasting in Scotland.”
