BBC Scotland has announced extensive cross-platform coverage for the 2026 Scottish Parliament Election, including a rolling programme on BBC One Scotland and BBC Radio Scotland on Friday 8 May. Results will be declared progressively during the day after the 7 May poll, with no overnight announcements.
Presented by Martin Geissler, Laura Miller, Gary Robertson and Rebecca Curran, the programme will air from 9.30 am on BBC One Scotland, featuring live declarations, interviews and reporting from every count location. Extended teatime and late editions of Reporting Scotland, presented by Laura Goodwin, will also be broadcast.
Campaign coverage includes a live leaders' debate on Sunday 12 April from Paisley Town Hall, hosted by Stephen Jardine. Leaders from the Scottish Conservatives, Scottish Greens, Scottish Labour, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Scottish National Party and Reform UK will participate. Three regular Debate Night editions are also planned, including one focused on younger voters.
Digital offerings include a daily live page from 7 April on BBC Scotland News online, with news, features and interviews. An interactive policy grid will summarise party positions on key issues. BBC Verify in Scotland will provide specialist analysis, and the BBC Your Voice project will amplify audience concerns.
Radio coverage includes leader interviews on Radio Scotland Breakfast and hustings events across the country. The Scotcast podcast continues its series of leader interviews, while The Sunday Show will be extended to an hour. Gaelic audiences will receive coverage on BBC Radio nan Gàidheal, BBC ALBA and online.
Howard Simpson, Head of News and Current Affairs at BBC Scotland, said: 'The range of programming and journalism we’re announcing today reflects our commitment to serving audiences across Scotland with trusted, high quality election coverage. Our principal aim is to be led by the issues that matter most to our audiences.'
