STV ends Aberdeen news as commercial pressures reshape regional media
STV's decision to centralise its northern Scotland news from Glasgow signals a broader retreat from regional broadcasting as commercial outlets struggle with declining advertising and viewing figures.
STV broadcast its final full news programme from its Aberdeen studio on Friday, ending a dedicated service for northern Scotland. From Monday, the 18:00 bulletin will be presented from Glasgow, merging the region's output with that of the Central Belt.
Under the new structure, just under a third of the programme will feature distinct content for each area, such as regional news, sport, and weather. One STV source said the unified broadcast will retain familiar faces like Andrea Brymer and continue covering major northern stories, though viewers will see fewer purely local reports.
The shift highlights the growing tension between public service obligations and commercial viability. Ofcom approved the merger despite fierce opposition from the Scottish government, cross-party politicians, and unions, recognising the difficulty of enforcing loss-making mandates on commercial channels facing falling ratings and advertising revenues.
STV chief executive Rufus Radcliffe framed the consolidation as a necessary step for sustainability. "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," he said.
The restructuring has resulted in 30 job losses and a one-day strike, though no compulsory redundancies were issued. It also marks the departure of long-serving presenter Norman MacLeod after almost 40 years. "I've had an incredible career at STV, working alongside some truly wonderful colleagues who have made it so special," he said.
The closure effectively extinguishes the final legacy of Grampian Television, the independent station bought by STV in 1997. Former Grampian journalist Ted Brocklebank attributed the decline to a regulatory shift. "I'm coming from a situation where the IBA (the regulator in the 70s and 80s) was very strong on regional broadcasting," he said.
First Minister John Swinney warned the changes "significantly weaken regional news provision in the north and north-east of Scotland and erode local representation." As audiences migrate online, the Aberdeen closure serves as a stark example of how regional media outlets are being forced to sacrifice local granularity for financial survival.
