BBC Scotland TV channel axed as broadcaster seeks £500m savings

The BBC Scotland TV channel is set to close as the broadcaster seeks to make cuts to its services.

It will instead move to an online-only service via the BBC iPlayer from spring next year.

The SNP has urged bosses to rethink the decision, arguing it shows “disdain” for Scottish culture.

The decision will result in ten extra job losses on top of those already announced earlier this year, with the News at Seven programme to come to an end.

As well as the Scottish channel, the BBC intends to move BBC Three and Radio Four Extra online.

It has made the decision as it attempts to make £500m in savings by 2028, with between 1,800 and 2,000 posts to go across the UK.

The broadcaster says it is responding to financial challenges amid falling TV licence sales and reduced cash reserves.

Hayley Valentine, BBC Scotland Director, said: “Against the backdrop of significant financial challenges, we must focus our resources where they will have the greatest impact for audiences.  The way audiences watch television continues to change at pace and our data tells us that more people are choosing to watch BBC Scotland content on BBC iPlayer now. 

“By continuing the channel on BBC iPlayer, we can ensure Scottish content thrives in a digital environment, while BBC Two in Scotland, alongside BBC One Scotland, will maintain a strong and distinctive Scottish presence on linear television.”

On the wider programme of cuts, BBC Director-General Matt Brittin said: “We need to make every pound work harder for audiences as we respond to the immediate cost pressures and reinvent the BBC for a changing world. We all know that means tough choices.”

BBC Scotland launched in February 2019, broadcasting between 7pm and midnight.

The flagship news programme The Nine was launched at the same time, but the programme was scrapped two years ago and replaced by the News at Seven.

SNP MSP Alex Kerr said: “BBC chiefs in London must rethink this appalling decision which sums up the organisation’s disdain for Scottish broadcasting and our journalists. 

“Those same BBC overlords in Westminster see spend in Scotland far below what the licence fee raises here, they barely lifted a finger to cover the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and are considering wielding the axe on our cultural events too. 

“Scotland has so much to showcase: our world class arts and music, stars at the height of their sports, the most exciting football league in Europe – these things aren’t important to bosses in Westminster, but they matter to us.”