Here is the news... STV beats BBC for viewer figures
SCOTTISH TELEVISION news had more viewers last year than the BBC’s Reporting Scotland.
Latest figures show STV News at Six delivered an average audience of 390,000 in 2019, a 30 per cent share.
BBC Reporting Scotland had a 380,000 average audience – a 28 per cent share of total Scottish viewers.
The figures – the first time in five years that STV has outperformed the BBC – are a fresh blow for the corporation after a series of setbacks. Veteran Reporting Scotland presenter Jackie Bird left the show in April last year after three decades.
The BBC has also been criticised over low viewing figures for its £32million digital television channel.
Head of STV News Steven Ladurantaye said: ‘We take our public service broadcasting commitments very seriously, investing significantly in a high-quality, impartial news service that is trusted by viewers across the country.’ The Central Scotland edition of News at Six is presented by John MacKay, 53, in Glasgow and Kelly Ann Woodland, 38, in Edinburgh.
Scottish Tory culture spokesman Rachael Hamilton said: ‘It’s nothing short of remarkable, given the gulf in resources, that STV has overtaken the BBC.’
A BBC Scotland spokesman said: ‘We are pleased 80 per cent of adults consumed BBC News during any given week, a figure any news provider would be delighted with.’
‘Take our public service commitment seriously’