STV Plans Job Cuts, News Program Axe Spark Criticism
Scottish broadcaster STV is planning to cut approximately 60 jobs and eliminate a north of Scotland news program as part of a cost-saving initiative, prompting accusations of mismanagement and damage to local reporting.
The company aims to achieve £2.5 million in savings by next year following a £200,000 loss in the first half of 2025. Under the proposed changes, the Aberdeen-produced news program serving the north of Scotland will be replaced by a Glasgow-based show covering central and northern regions – a model already in place on weekends. Critics have highlighted that these plans were announced shortly after STV announced investments in its Aberdeen and Glasgow studios. The move comes amid a broader shift in news consumption, with fewer people watching traditional television broadcasts.
Union representatives have strongly condemned the proposals. Nick McGowan-Lowe, national organiser for Scotland at the National Union of Journalists, described the cut as an act of “cultural vandalism” and accused STV of making a “rushed through, panicked” decision. “This does not give the impression of a company who is thinking long term,” he stated to members of the Scottish Parliament’s culture committee. STV Chief Executive Rufus Radcliffe defended the plans, asserting that the company is prioritizing long-term sustainability and protecting regional journalism, despite acknowledging a 23% drop in viewership for its flagship STV News At 6 bulletin. You can find more information about the role of broadcast regulators at Ofcom’s website.
The broadcaster also faces scrutiny over a planned £500,000 investment in a new radio station launching next year, with some questioning the timing given the current financial pressures. Concerns were also raised regarding the manner of the announcement, with reports that senior staff participated in the video call from holiday locations. Radcliffe stated that no bonus payments will be made to senior staff this year and that launching the radio station is essential for business growth. STV is currently valued at just over £50 million on the stock market.
Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, is expected to launch a consultation in the coming weeks to review the proposed changes, though it lacks the authority to directly save jobs or mandate studio locations.
