STV boss quits as new channel proves turn-off
Shows get fewer than 100 viewers
THE chief executive of STV has stepped down a day after the company launched a new channel – which suffered rockbottom viewing figures.
STV2 launched on Monday, with only 7,500 people tuning in to watch the flagship ‘Scottish 7’ news show. Other shows attracted fewer than 100 viewers.
STV last night said it ‘did not recognise’ the viewing figures, but did not supply alternative numbers.
Yesterday, the day after the channel launched, Rob Woodward stepped down from his role as chief executive.
In a notification to the stock exchange, Mr Woodward, who previously served as commercial director at Channel 4, confirmed he will leave within a year.
He said: ‘We have made a positive start to 2017 including the launch of new channel, STV2, and further commissions secured for STV Productions. As I confirm my decision to pursue fresh challenges after leading the company for the past ten years, I am passionate about STV and its prospects to continue to deliver sustainable profitable growth for our shareholders.’
As well as soaps, dramas and chat shows, STV2 featured the long anticipated 7 o’ clock news, looking at events from around the world through a Scottish lens.
But the show only drew 7,500 viewers across the nation – only 0.5 per cent of the Scottish TV population. Other shows fared worse, with Live at Five gaining fewer than 100 viewers.
People did tune in to STV2 later in the day, with the late night offerings proving more popular.
Peter and Roughie’s Football show at 10.30pm had nearly 12,000 viewers, and the next showing of the football programme at 11pm attracted nearly 20,000.
But even these peak figures – collated by overnights.tv – were only around 2 per cent of the Scottish viewing population.
Leading the company since 2007, Mr Woodward is often attributed for turning the company around from its previously fragile state.
One STV insider said the news came as a shock to staff, adding: ‘He will be missed – a very decent, popular guy who always had time to listen to his staff. There’s not many bosses you can say that about.’