The media regulator has approved STV’s plans to amend its regional news licences, which will see the creation of new versions of its News At 6 programme.
In December, the broadcaster applied for permission from Ofcom to drop regionalised versions of the flagship show across its Central and North licensing areas, and replace it with a single programme from Glasgow which will include sections devoted to regional news.
The programme will include a shared section broadcast by both licences (70%) featuring contributions from across Scotland, plus separate sections with content specific to each licence (30%).
Publishing its verdict, Ofcom said: “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 ST 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.
“Unlike STV’s original request for all regional news to be shared between the two regions at any time, its revised proposal would permit no more than 70% of content (in peak) to be shared. This will ensure that a distinct regional character will be retained in each area.
“Alongside this, STV will maintain newsgathering resources in all of its news bases and it will be an enforceable licence condition that its 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.”
STV’s chief executive Rufus Radcliffe said: “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.
“The changes Ofcom has approved to our licences will enable us to continue serving viewers with the high-quality, trusted national and regional news they expect from us.
“Crucially, this will be sustainable for our business and will be accessible on air and across all the digital platforms viewers now expect.
“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.”
Russell Borthwick, chief executive at 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. It is difficult to understand how such clear and emphatic opposition from the communities affected has ultimately been set aside.
“Local news matters. It plays a vital role in holding institutions to account, reflecting the experiences of communities and ensuring that the north of Scotland has a strong and distinct voice in the national conversation.
“While STV has made changes to its original proposals, the reality remains that the north of Scotland will lose its dedicated news service and the local presentation that has been a trusted part of viewers’ lives for generations.”
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.”
“This is the weakest of decisions in the face of the strongest of opposition from viewers, politicians and STV’s own journalists.”
Politicians representing the north-east of Scotland expressed their disappointment.
Conservative MSP Douglas Lumsden said: “This is a disgraceful decision that will undoubtedly have devastating consequences for its Aberdeen newsroom.
“The announcement marks a dark day for local journalism in Scotland and my thoughts go to STV’s excellent staff who have been treated deplorably throughout this process.”
Richard Thomson, who is the SNP’s candidate in the Aberdeen South by-election, said: “This is a dark day for regional broadcasting in Scotland.
“My thoughts are with the staff affected by these cuts and viewers across Aberdeen and the wider north east who have cherished the unique local news service for decades.”
