Baroness Ford, Chair of STV, must reconsider an invitation to appear before Holyrood’s Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee, says convener Joan McAlpine MSP. Continue reading Think again: STV chief urged to reconsider Holyrood invite
STV has announced a comprehensive new 3-year growth strategy aiming to establish the integrated producer-broadcaster as “Scotland’s home of news and entertainment”. The new strategy will bring changes to STV’s management, culture and organisation – including the closure of STV2 with the loss of 25 jobs. Continue reading STV for Everyone … but no room for STV2
Students have begun the first course at Scotland’s new film and television school as a result of Scottish Government funding. Continue reading Action! Scotland’s new film and television school opens it’s doors
Fascinating stories from Dundee, Oban, Clydebank, Aberdeen, Paisley and Glasgow feature in a new series of STV’sThe People’s History Show, which returns on Monday 16 April at 8pm. Continue reading STV explores Scotland’s past in new series of The People’s History Show
The Royal Television Society’s Scottish branch, RTS Scotland – part of Britain’s leading forum for television and related media – has announced the shortlist of nominations for its annual awards. Continue reading RTS Scotland awards nominees announced
STV has announced that new channel, STV2, will launch at 5pm on Monday 24 April to viewers across Scotland. STV2 will reflect what is happening across Scotland with a distinct and exciting schedule, featuring live events, news and new programming including soap, drama and movies. Continue reading New STV2 channel to launch on 24th April
Scotland’s new BBC TV channel is a welcome step in the right direction, but must be properly resourced, Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said yesterday. Continue reading Guarded welcome for BBC Scotland plans
Ads for alcohol and fatty foods should be adult viewing only
Alcohol and junk food advertising should be prohibited before the 9pm watershed in order to protect children, Public Health Minister Maureen Watt said yesterday.
Ms Watt has written to UK Government ministers arguing that the move would protect children from exposure to powerful marketing messages and branding. Control over broadcast advertising is currently reserved to Westminster.
Adverts for alcohol and high fat, salt and sugar foods are not permitted during children’s programming. But they are allowed during early evening shows that are watched by large numbers of young people.
Stronger restrictions are supported by the British Heart Foundation (BHF), the British Medical Association (BMA) and Alcohol Focus Scotland.
The latest piece of research commissioned by the British Heart Foundation shows that many parents believe that broadcast advertising for high fat, salt and sugar foods remains a significant barrier which makes it more difficult for their children to adopt a healthy diet. According to their research that figure is highest in Scotland at 43 per cent. Extra restrictions on advertising for these types of food are also supported by Which?.
Maureen Watt, Minister for Public Health, said: “In recent years the rate of obesity has been relatively stable, but still unaccepbtably high, and there have been some reductions in alcohol-related harm. But we still, in general, have diets that are far too high in fat, sugar and salt, and levels of alcohol-related harm which are significantly higher than they were just a few decades ago.
“If we are to tackle the significant public health problems we face, we need bold solutions. We need a culture change in the way we think about alcohol and food high in fat, salt and sugar. There is a wealth of research which shows that children seeing these adverts while they are watching their favourite family programmes respond positively towards them and they affect their behaviour. That’s something that needs to be addressed.”
Dr Peter Bennie, Chairman of the BMA Scotland, said: “The regulation of alcohol and junk food advertising in this country is far too weak, largely because these industries have been allowed to regulate themselves. Despite the serious health harms associated with excessive alcohol consumption and obesity in the UK, these industries use marketing to promote consumption of their products.
“The cost of alcohol to our society is significant and inevitably, the NHS picks up the pieces. Obesity rates too are worryingly high, driven by the promotion and availability of unhealthy foods. Obesity brings with it increased risk of a wide range of serious life threatening and chronic diseases. While doctors have a role to play in supporting overweight patients, there is a limit to what they can do.
“The UK Government could take decisive action to change the culture of excess that the junk food and alcohol industry promotes, and tougher regulation of advertising would be a positive first step.”
Barbara O’Donnell, Deputy Chief Executive at Alcohol Focus Scotland, said: “Existing advertising codes fail to prevent under 18s from being exposed to alcohol advertising. Although current rules prohibit alcohol advertising around children’s programmes, alcohol adverts are allowed during early evening family viewing when the largest number of children watch television. As a result, 10 to 15 year olds in the UK see more alcohol adverts on television, per hour of television watched, than adults. Indeed, a survey just published by Alcohol Focus Scotland found that 10 and 11 year olds were more familiar with alcohol brands than leading brands of biscuits, crisps and ice cream.
“The bottom line is that we are failing to protect children and young people from alcohol harm. More effective controls are urgently needed to ensure alcohol marketing messages only reach adult audiences.”
Simon Gillespie, Chief Executive at the BHF, said: “Regulations for TV and online advertising in the UK are too weak, allowing companies to exploit loopholes in the system at the expense of our children’s health. Every day millions of children are being bombarded with sophisticated marketing techniques encouraging unhealthy eating habits.
“Evidence shows that junk food adverts can influence children’s food preferences and consumption hampering parents’ efforts to get their children to eat healthily. In the UK over 30 per cent of children are overweight or obese and dietary surveys show that children are eating too much salt, sugar and saturated fat.
“The Government must act now to ban junk food marketing before the 9pm watershed to help give children a stronger chance of preventing future heart disease.”
STV’s city TV channels, STV Glasgow and STV Edinburgh, have enhanced their schedules for viewers in Scotland’s largest cities from today with extended hours and a range of exciting new original programmes.
The channels are now on air from 7am and will feature hourly week day news bulletins from midday. At 1800, 2000 and 2200, 30 minute news programmes will bring viewers across central Scotland all the latest updates.
The enhanced schedule will also include original, 30 minute Scottish programmes at 2030 each week day evening.
The schedule now includes:
The People’s History Show – Mondays 2030
Published authors and local historians, Dan Sweeney and Dan Gray take us on a journey through the streets of our modern Scottish cities into the past to reveal the real people’s history. This series takes viewers across the history of Scotland’s largest cities, including visits to Edinburgh’s St Bernard’s Football Club, the closes off the Royal Mile and Glasgow’s Merchant City in days gone by. The People’s History Show also takes a look at much loved familiar favourites such as The Sheep Heid Inn and Leith Theatre.
Jak and Eddie’s Scottish Kitchen – Tuesdays at 2030
Top chef Jak O’Donnell and master baker Eddie Boyle join forces to make delicious dishes from the very best of Scottish ingredients. Jak will be cooking culinary delights while Eddie bakes, both have a passion and talent for cooking and produce Scottish traditional favourites with a modern twist. This series is packed with delicious dishes, fabulous ingredients, helpful baking tips and inspired Scottish recipes that will be available on the STV website.
My Life in Ten Pictures – Wednesdays at 2030
Some of Scotland’s best known faces share their personal photo albums to give viewers an insight into their lives through ten carefully selected pictures. The series sees celebrated Scots pick ten pictures which sum up their life giving a fascinating insight into TV, politics, radio, music and comedy. Guests include TV presenter Carol Smillie, TV and radio presenter Ross King, and comedian Andy Cameron.
Grass Roots Music – Thursdays at 2030
This one of a kind show is at the forefront of the Scottish music scene giving brand new local bands and established Scottish artists a platform to share their talent. Scotland’s only weekly music TV show, Grass Roots Music will put local music first and host some of the biggest names in Scottish music, plus emerging new talent in Scotland. Presented by Paul Hughes, STV Glasgow and STV Edinburgh channel editor, the show offers an eclectic range of music from Scotland’s live scene, including interviews with Del Amitri front man and acclaimed solo artistJustin Currie, and singer-songwriter Donovan. Filming takes place in famous gig venues across central Scotland, such as Glasgow’s Nice N Sleazy’s and The Jazz Bar in Edinburgh.
Ch-Ewen the Fat – Fridays at 2030
Non-stop chatterbox Ewen Cameron hits the streets of Glasgow and Edinburgh to find out what real Scots think about his topic of the day. Ewen is a unique character who has a knack for bringing out the best in people and Ch-Ewen the Fat is a great opportunity for The Fountainbridge Show presenter to speak to people about topical issues events and ask the questions they may not want to answer. In the first few episodes, Ewen gets his groove on to see if he can get the Scottish public dancing in the streets with raves, tangos, and ultimately a mass Zorba the Greek style dance.
In the first month on air, STV Glasgow and STV Edinburgh reached a combined monthly audience of over one million viewers with an engaging mix of news, innovative formats and classic dramas from the STV archive.
Elizabeth Partyka, deputy director of channels at STV, said: “These exciting changes will serve to strengthen the range and distinctive offering of City TV and allow us to reach new audiences. The new STV Glasgow and STV Edinburgh schedules reinforce our commitment to delivering local programming for our consumers and we hope the 8.30pm slot will become appointment to view TV for viewers in Scotland’s largest cities.”
STV Glasgow broadcasts to a potential audience of two million viewers in the west of Scotland and STV Edinburgh has a potential reach of one million viewers in the east. The channels are delivered in partnership with Glasgow Caledonian University and Edinburgh Napier University, with over 100 students from the universities having gained experience so far through their involvement in broadcast operations of the channels.
STV Glasgow launched in June 2014 with STV Edinburgh following in January 2015. The channels broadcast on Freeview channel 23, Sky channel 117 and Virgin Media channel 159 within their transmission areas. STV, STV Glasgow and STV Edinburgh are available to watch live online with the STV Player.
STV’s city TV channels, STV Edinburgh and STV Glasgow, are to enhance their schedules with extended transmission hours, additional news bulletins and sport.
From Monday 2 March the channels will be on air from 7am and will feature hourly week day news bulletins from midday. At 6pm, 8pm and 10pm, thirty minute news programmes will bring viewers across central Scotland all the latest updates.
The enhanced schedule will also include The Peter and Roughie Saturday Show with pitch-side updates from SPFL matches across all four divisions from Peter Martin and Alan Rough each Saturday.
The Fountainbridge Show will continue to air week day evenings from 1900 to 2000 on STV Edinburgh, with The Riverside Show airing at the same time on STV Glasgow. At 8,30pm each week night original, locally produced content will be broadcast across both channels: The People’s History Show on Mondays; Jak & Eddie’s Scottish Kitchen on Tuesdays; My Life in 10 Pictures on Wednesdays; Grass Roots Music on Thursdays; and Ch-Ewen the Fat with The Fountainbridge Show co-host Ewen Cameron on Fridays.
From 07am each week day morning, and 9am at weekends, STV Glasgow and STV Edinburgh will air a range of popular kids’ programmes made by STV, including, Meeow, Butterfingers, Uncle Dad and Harry and the Wrinklies.
Weekends will feature Scottish Parliament This Week.
In the first month on air, STV Glasgow and STV Edinburgh have reached a combined monthly audience of over one million viewers with an engaging mix of news, innovative formats and classic dramas from the STV archive.
Bobby Hain, director of channels at STV, said: “City TV is a long term commitment for STV and the enhanced schedules that will be launched in early March support our strategy to deliver relevant content to consumers across Scotland. Both city TV channels have delivered in line with expectations since launch and the extended hours and enhanced news offering allows us to align the schedules on both channels so we offer the best possible service for our audiences.”
STV Glasgow broadcasts to a potential audience of two million viewers in the west of Scotland and STV Edinburgh has a potential reach of one million viewers in the east. The channels are delivered in partnership with Glasgow Caledonian University and Edinburgh Napier University, with over 100 students from the universities having gained experience so far through their involvement in broadcast operations of the channels.
STV Glasgow launched in June 2014 with STV Edinburgh following in January this year. The channels broadcast on Freeview channel 23, Sky channel 117 and Virgin Media channel 159 within their transmission areas. STV, STV Glasgow and STV Edinburgh are also available to watch live online with the STV Player.
In October last year STV also confirmed applications have been submitted to deliver local TV in Aberdeen, Ayr and Dundee and are awaiting a response from Ofcom.
Have you watched the new TV station? What do you think?
