BBC Scotland TV channel to close by spring 2027

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 13:39 · Archive

BBC Scotland's TV channel will close by spring 2027, with programming moving to BBC One and iPlayer.

BBC Scotland's TV channel will close by spring 2027, with programming including the current Debate Night show moving to BBC One in Scotland and becoming available on iPlayer. The closure is part of planned cuts affecting BBC Three and Radio 4 Extra as well, aimed at saving more than £500m by 2028.

Stephen Jardine, who hosts Debate Night, said the Scottish TV channel had been a 'bold and ambitious attempt' to boost TV production, but that 'in this multi-channel age of streaming, broadcasting is changing at breakneck speed and with revenue tight, the BBC needs to adapt to keep up with that'. The closure will see at least 70 job losses: BBC Scotland announced 60 redundancies in August, with a further 10 expected from the channel closure.

Union leaders warned the cuts were 'in danger of causing irreparable damage to the BBC' and putting pressure on an 'already bruised workforce'. Bectu head Phillipa Childs said the 'continued drip feed' of planned cuts and job losses was damaging BBC staff morale.

How it is being reported

• Stephen Jardine breaks silence on BBC Scotland channel closureStephen Jardine has spoken out over the closure of the BBC Scotland TV channel, saying the broadcaster needs to adapt to changing viewing habits.Glasgow Times · 21 Oct, 15:00
• 'Broadcasting is changing at breakneck speed': BBC Scotland host defends channel axeDebate Night presenter Stephen Jardine has defended the closure of the BBC Scotland TV channel citing the 'breakneck speed' of changing viewing habits.The Herald · 21 Oct, 12:54

In this story: BBC Scotland · Stephen Jardine · BBC One · BBC Three · Radio 4 Extra · Glasgow · Bectu · Phillipa Childs

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