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Yeah, but STV do produce content that is only expected to be shown on STV. Perhaps Jon doesn't know that.
But when they do produce content just for Scotland, people complain that they are missing a repeat of Paul O' Grady or something. Because of the way ITV is now run,, there are no times for regional opt out (apart from the news) so STV, like all other ITV regions, has very few opportunities for showing local programmes. I suspect that in the longer term, they will start to produce more local programmes which will just be available on the STV Player but at the moment, they are doing good business producing content for other broadcasters.
That's fine but what I find annoying - and pointless tbh - is people labelling STV produced output as cheap when it can only ever be cheap. As I said and you have also alluded to, the popularity of ITV programming prevents STV from overhauling the schedule and a 7.30pm slot is what they are basically stuck with when it comes to opt outs. This more or less rules out drama and ensures "cheap" documentaries.
Regarding viewers moaning about Paul O'Grady not being shown, I assume you to mean the most recent example? I would think that unless viewers were aware of it either via STV somehow foolishly trailing it (did they?) or by consulting the ITV schedule for that particular day, nobody really cared. Yes, most would have worked out that the High Road tribute wasn't being shown in England but they can't expect STV to make programmes for them and not have to opt out from the ITV schedule at some point.
Just to pick up a point here however, they opt out a show (fine), but why not air the opt after 11pm (ITV) and for it to be made available via their player? (its not rocket science), but whenever they start running shows (be it already started on ITV), they'll hop in for no reason and won't show previous episodes either (again why have a programme available for the area when you can't be that bothered to even go back?). In terms of programming even if we have to go back a few years ago - Tales From Northumberland went so far and wasn't completed, Barging around Britain was another but I guess viewers would be better with things like that watch ITV instead/elsewhere or on ITV3/4 at least.
STV in terms of programming they do themselves (opt outs) its pretty obvious as you only need to look at their own appeal show which every year looks like someone has been to a local Santas Grotto from a shopping centre. I said this before but I am surprised why STV don't attempt making dramas than reviving old ones - as this would be something that surely could be made for the UK/international markets (seems more like here that can't be bothered)
Also can we stop saying these "opt outs" are local.... how can STV programming be "local"? I stay in Dundee its not that local to me if its broadcasting from Glasgow is it? Maybe people should say regional instead than local opt outs? Under STV Grampian no longer exists for me and again I only get news and its mostly broadcasting from Glasgow these days.
Agree - don't know why they can't air the programmes they opt out of after 11pm especially when they could shift the schedule a bit and cut back on ITV Nightscreen. Regarding STV Player, there are probably contractual reasons why they can't have programmes they don't show on catch-up.
The main problem with STV's opt outs is that they aren't a like for like production-wise so STV have to "hop in". For example, STV will have a one-off 30 min episode but ITV have a six part series. If they want to avoid hopping in, STV need to find 5x30 to then catch up with ITV eventually. Again, a 7.30pm slot restricts what they can show. Ultimately, viewers would turn off with repeats of Sean's Scotland and advertising rates for that slot would be questioned so even if people do get annoyed with the constant hopping in, STV running with ITV is the most effective (but certainly not ideal) way of dealing with the situation. Unless STV remedy that by producing in greater numbers this is the reality for viewers.
I haven't seen the STV Appeal but the dodgy production values (I'm guessing it's studio-based?) is probably down to the fact that props etc are only going to be used once or twice so it doesn't justify shelling out on. Sad that this would put off viewers from donating as it's a genuine cause and not some chancer collecting in the street.
Drama to be shown on STV would have to be networked to be financially worthwhile for them to make. Somehow I don't think ITV would be interested in something with a primarily Scottish cast unless there was an angle to it, i.e. based on a true story. Anything major that has happened in Scotland has been pulled apart already in documentaries and there is not the same appetite up here to distort facts for the sake of drama.
I would imagine that it's more economically viable for STV Studios to produce a drama that can be shown UK wide like The Victim for BBC One than make a drama that only going to shown on STV.
Yeah, but STV do produce content that is only expected to be shown on STV. Perhaps Jon doesn't know that.
But when they do produce content just for Scotland, people complain that they are missing a repeat of Paul O' Grady or something. Because of the way ITV is now run,, there are no times for regional opt out (apart from the news) so STV, like all other ITV regions, has very few opportunities for showing local programmes. I suspect that in the longer term, they will start to produce more local programmes which will just be available on the STV Player but at the moment, they are doing good business producing content for other broadcasters.
That's fine but what I find annoying - and pointless tbh - is people labelling STV produced output as cheap when it can only ever be cheap. As I said and you have also alluded to, the popularity of ITV programming prevents STV from overhauling the schedule and a 7.30pm slot is what they are basically stuck with when it comes to opt outs. This more or less rules out drama and ensures "cheap" documentaries.
Regarding viewers moaning about Paul O'Grady not being shown, I assume you to mean the most recent example? I would think that unless viewers were aware of it either via STV somehow foolishly trailing it (did they?) or by consulting the ITV schedule for that particular day, nobody really cared. Yes, most would have worked out that the High Road tribute wasn't being shown in England but they can't expect STV to make programmes for them and not have to opt out from the ITV schedule at some point.
Just to pick up a point here however, they opt out a show (fine), but why not air the opt after 11pm (ITV) and for it to be made available via their player? (its not rocket science), but whenever they start running shows (be it already started on ITV), they'll hop in for no reason and won't show previous episodes either (again why have a programme available for the area when you can't be that bothered to even go back?). In terms of programming even if we have to go back a few years ago - Tales From Northumberland went so far and wasn't completed, Barging around Britain was another but I guess viewers would be better with things like that watch ITV instead/elsewhere or on ITV3/4 at least.
STV in terms of programming they do themselves (opt outs) its pretty obvious as you only need to look at their own appeal show which every year looks like someone has been to a local Santas Grotto from a shopping centre. I said this before but I am surprised why STV don't attempt making dramas than reviving old ones - as this would be something that surely could be made for the UK/international markets (seems more like here that can't be bothered)
Also can we stop saying these "opt outs" are local.... how can STV programming be "local"? I stay in Dundee its not that local to me if its broadcasting from Glasgow is it? Maybe people should say regional instead than local opt outs? Under STV Grampian no longer exists for me and again I only get news and its mostly broadcasting from Glasgow these days.
Agree - don't know why they can't air the programmes they opt out of after 11pm especially when they could shift the schedule a bit and cut back on ITV Nightscreen. Regarding STV Player, there are probably contractual reasons why they can't have programmes they don't show on catch-up.
The main problem with STV's opt outs is that they aren't a like for like production-wise so STV have to "hop in". For example, STV will have a one-off 30 min episode but ITV have a six part series. If they want to avoid hopping in, STV need to find 5x30 to then catch up with ITV eventually. Again, a 7.30pm slot restricts what they can show. Ultimately, viewers would turn off with repeats of Sean's Scotland and advertising rates for that slot would be questioned so even if people do get annoyed with the constant hopping in, STV running with ITV is the most effective (but certainly not ideal) way of dealing with the situation. Unless STV remedy that by producing in greater numbers this is the reality for viewers.
I haven't seen the STV Appeal but the dodgy production values (I'm guessing it's studio-based?) is probably down to the fact that props etc are only going to be used once or twice so it doesn't justify shelling out on. Sad that this would put off viewers from donating as it's a genuine cause and not some chancer collecting in the street.
Drama to be shown on STV would have to be networked to be financially worthwhile for them to make. Somehow I don't think ITV would be interested in something with a primarily Scottish cast unless there was an angle to it, i.e. based on a true story. Anything major that has happened in Scotland has been pulled apart already in documentaries and there is not the same appetite up here to distort facts for the sake of drama.