Catch STV2’s slick news – while you can
YOU only get one chance to make a first impression and so the die is cast for STV2 and its flagship News Tonight.
It began on Monday with Halla Mohieddeen anchoring. There was the usual trendy faff of having her stand up and sit down, which proved only that she had not teamed her artfully slashed vermillion dress with running shoes.
Halla is no auto-cutie. She speaks French, German and Mandarin Chinese and has a solid broadcast background.
She slickly handed over to Gordon Chree in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.
Trouble was, Marine Le Pen’s far-Right had not pinched the keys to the Élysée Palace, only reached the final round of the presidential race. Emmanuel Macron is still odds-on to win on May 7.
Gordon gamely tried to make it all seem exciting but the truth was that views of the 7th Arrondissement at dusk were the best bit.
Later a picture emerged of Nicola Sturgeon congratulating Halla after the credits had rolled. The First Minister looked like the SNP Compliance Officer there to ensure the party line was toed.
After the ‘Happy Nat Year’ Hogmanay show featuring half of Clan Sturgeon and arch-Yesser Elaine C. Smith, STV needs to be both independent and seen to be so.
Woeful STV2 viewing figures underscore that the BBC was right to resist Nationalist demands for a ‘Scottish Six’ to present the world through a narrow Scottish prism.
Still, Gordon and the crew no doubt enjoyed Coquilles St-Jacques and a glug or two of good calvados.
Make the most of it. STV2 may not be long for the schedules.