BBC Scotland TV channel to close in spring with job cuts

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 15:02 · Archive

The BBC is closing its dedicated Scotland TV channel in spring, eight years after its launch, with around 10 jobs at risk.

The BBC has announced the closure of its dedicated Scotland TV channel from spring, shifting it to an online-only service on BBC iPlayer. The decision is part of a £500m cost-cutting drive across the broadcaster. The channel, which launched in February 2019, reached just 12 per cent of Scotland's population in an average week, with weekly audiences declining from around 670,800 to 619,000 over 12 months.

Around 10 jobs are at risk from the closure, in addition to 60 redundancies announced earlier in the year. The flagship News at Seven programme will be discontinued. However, other programming including current affairs shows such as Scotcast and Debate Night, and entertainment programmes such as Scotland's Home of the Year, will continue on BBC One, BBC Two or online. Friday night SPFL Championship football will move to BBC Two in Scotland.

Hayley Valentine, director of BBC Scotland, said the broadcaster must 'focus our resources where they will have the greatest impact for audiences'. The Scottish Government's film and TV agency said it was 'deeply concerned' that the BBC had decided to close the channel 'without any public consultation'. Screen Scotland called on the BBC to ensure the majority of programming it counts as Scottish is made by 'producers, crew, and talent based in Scotland'.

BBC Scotland TV channel to close in spring with job cuts — Image: Glasgow Times

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How it is being reported

BBC Scotland channel to disappear from TV screens as broadcaster unveils major cutsBBC Scotland’s linear TV channel will move online-only on BBC iPlayer from spring, with News at Seven axed and around 10 jobs at risk amid £500m cuts.Glasgow Times · 20 Oct, 14:07
BBC Scotland TV channel to close within months as job cuts are revealedThe dedicated BBC Scotland TV channel is to be shut down in the spring - just eight years after its launch.The Herald · 20 Oct, 14:00

In this story: BBC · BBC Scotland · Screen Scotland · Scottish Government · Glasgow · Scotland

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