‘Wholly unacceptable’: Culture secretary urges Ofcom to review BBC Scotland closure plan

The Scottish Government has written to Ofcom to set out its opposition to the “wholly unacceptable” closure of the BBC Scotland TV channel.

Culture secretary Mairi McAllan warned the move would “send entirely the wrong signal about the BBC’s commitment to serving and representing audiences fairly”.

In a letter to Ofcom, she urged the regulator to review the decision – including its implications for the BBC operating license.

The move to axe the linear channel was announced last week as part of a wider programme of cuts by the broadcaster, which is seeking to save £500m.

BBC Scotland is set to become an online-only service and the dedicated Scottish current affairs programme the News at Seven will shut down entirely.

McAllan said the plan was “wholly unacceptable” and the government “oppose such a move in the strongest possible terms”.

She warned it would undermine efforts to create a “distinctive platform” for Scotland and argued it would disproportionately affect audiences who are less likely to access content online.

She continued: “The planned closure of the linear channel raises wider questions about how the BBC will continue to meet the needs and expectations of audiences in Scotland, and we would welcome the opportunity to engage constructively with Ofcom as it considers these issues.

“Given the scale and significance of this decision, we would welcome consideration of how Scottish audiences and stakeholders can be given a meaningful opportunity to make their views known as part of any relevant regulatory process.”

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

It is scheduled to close in spring next year.

Hayley Valentine, BBC Scotland Director, said the decision had been taken due to “significant financial challenges” facing the broadcaster and in the context of changing audience viewing behaviour.

She said: “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.”