Little information about STV cuts – but what are the options?

Just what are STV’s proposals for changes to its news service?

We know the broadcaster plans to stop producing a separate programme for the former Grampian area.

Instead a programme for both Central and Northern Scotland will be produced and presented from Glasgow.

But beyond that very little appears to have been said publicly.

It is reported that the company wants to cut 60 jobs including 30 in news.

Nothing appears to have been said publicly to clarify just what roles are facing the axe. Are all the job cuts in Aberdeen?

Nor has anything been said publicly to confirm what the new programme would look like.

STV has just spent good money revamping the look of its news service.

My guess is we might end up with the current Central Belt programme with some stories from the north of Scotland within the mix.

It will not feel obviously different to viewers in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The proposed changes have been widely condemned by politicians in the north of Scotland.

But will Ofcom – if it is so minded – save Grampian?

It is possible they will reject STV’s plan outright. Past experience though suggests this is unlikely. It would also be humiliating for STV management.

Realistically they’ll either say yes or broker some compromise. Perhaps pre-recorded localised bulletins at 1.55pm and 10.30pm plus a pre-recorded sub-opt within the 6pm programme. (At the weekend both regions get a joint bulletin from Glasgow.)

But I cannot see Ofcom insisting that any remaining programme for the north needs to be presented from Aberdeen.

They cannot be inconsistent with what licensees are or are not allowed to do. Think Border from Gateshead, Westcountry from Bristol, the East Midlands from Birmingham.

I don’t think, however, that a completely recorded programme would be right or practical.

STV North does show some Scottish national news, especially politics. A 5pm recording would mean a much poorer service.

But a 10-minute recorded section within the programme focused on regional news could work – even if it might be undesirable. Big stories or developing stories can go in the live part of the programme.

Ofcom’s consultation should reveal more details of the plan plus the possible timescale for a decision and, if agreed, changes.

The public needs to be fully involved in this consultation.

It needs information on STV’s financial and strategic rationale as well as details of what the new programme might be like.

Of course the changes are never going to be anything other than controversial. 

But full details are needed before someone can decide whether to accept them with a heavy heart or argue for other ways of saving money instead.

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