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Scottish pres discussion Thread

For BBC Scotland and STV. (April 2009)

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GS
Gavin Scott Founding member
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Drama I would like to see. Comedy too. All in production.


have I misted something can you spill the beans? If murder capital and Taggart goes by then STV drama have nothing to worry about, ( I do wish New found land would come back those piece of work have won awards


I will happily spill the beans in due course.

Don't touch that dial...!
AB
aberdeenboy
Well we all know Taggart will continue even without network - STV annouced this a few weeks back.

If they can produce a successful mainstream comedy, they'll be doing something they haven't done in 52 years - and something which all broadcasters have been struggling to do in recent years. What was STV's last attempt? My Dead Dad with Forbes Mason on C4 I think.
GS
Gavin Scott Founding member
Well we all know Taggart will continue even without network - STV annouced this a few weeks back.

If they can produce a successful mainstream comedy, they'll be doing something they haven't done in 52 years - and something which all broadcasters have been struggling to do in recent years. What was STV's last attempt? My Dead Dad with Forbes Mason on C4 I think.


I recall they turned down Absolutely, and it went to LWT.

Past is past.

You can't have failed to notice everything that's come from the Comedy Unit, including Gary Tank Commander of late, the new Limmy show etc.

Comedy may have been an anathema to STV in the past, but were that mood to have changed, there's no shortage of talent on the doorstep.

Wouldn't you agree?
AB
aberdeenboy
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Last edited by aberdeenboy on 29 November 2009 1:32pm
GS
Gavin Scott Founding member
Nothing which could reasonably be called a popular comedy has been produced in Scotland since Still Game and not for want of trying... It's not about talent or good intent, it's about the fact that it's a notoriously difficult genre to get right.


At the risk of patronising you right back, I do know more than a little about producing comedy, thank you - and I'm quite well aware that its difficult to get right.

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It would not be in STV's commercial interests to commission The Comedy Unit to make a regional series for them because, under the normal indy conditions of trade, The Comedy Unit would then have all the rights to DVDs, secondary sales etc. It would only make sense if STV Productions could get it right themselves.


I didn't say anything about the CU being commissioned, did I? I didn't say anything about sitcom either, did I?

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If STV think that producing a successful, mainstream comedy programme is just a matter of good intent and trying hard they are deluded - just as they are deluded if they really think that ITVplc is going to tolerate the current situation continuing indefinitely.


Jesus Christ - "tolerate"? What, like some little annoyance to the great scheme of the English plc? For a man who works in Scottish broadcasting (one assumes) then your attitude is shocking and dismaying.

You know, not so long ago you were "wishing STV well" - but it seems that was so much nonsense.

I'm truly disappointed to hear you speak in such terms.

STV have chosen to opt out of network and produce their own material. That right is theirs as you very well know - the debate is over whether STV owe money for what they've dumped.

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My bet - either ITV1 Scotland or STV becoming totally separate from ITV1 and both channels being openly and easily available in Scotland.


That's not your "bet", that's your preferred outcome - you don't want a regional presence on 3, you want English network ITVplc. You've made that clear day after day. If ITV were allowed in Scotland there would be no STV. To even suggest both can co-exist is utter nonsense - so stop being so bloody disingenuous and say it.

STV cannot fill their own schedule, and do not want to fill their own schedule.

They want the right to opt out of programming like their licence allows for, to maximise their returns for their franchise creating programming that they can afford, want, which serves their viewers.

If you want both in Scotland, then you want STV gone. You're smart enough to know that - but if you're not, by god, I certainly am.

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You might not like it, you might sincerely hope it doesn't happen, you might even admire STV for standing up to ITV and going down fighting but the sad fact is they're still stuffed - at least as "surrogate ITV in Scotland". Claiming the clean feed meant no editorial references to ITV within programmes is just laughable... the clean feed was only about removing IPPs and ECPs.


Do you think I've got small man syndrome or something? This isn't about a David v's Goliath exercise - this is about a 50 year old Scottish business staying in business - with local jobs, output and audience.

YOU are the one looking at them "going down trying", not me.
GS
Gavin Scott Founding member
Having reflected on my last post over a cigarette and some coffee, I think I have come across as extremely rude, and if so I apologise. You're entitled to your own view of STV's strategy and existence just as I am.

I'm feeling a little deflated to read what appears to be your opinion of our local franchise. To me it reads as sneery and dismissive, and that they are misguided and doomed - but if I'm misrepresenting you, I'd be happy to re-evaluate.
AB
aberdeenboy
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Last edited by aberdeenboy on 29 November 2009 1:33pm
BR
Barney Rubble
Having reflected on my last post over a cigarette and some coffee, I think I have come across as extremely rude, and if so I apologise. You're entitled to your own view of STV's strategy and existence just as I am.

I'm feeling a little deflated to read what appears to be your opinion of our local franchise. To me it reads as sneery and dismissive, and that they are misguided and doomed - but if I'm misrepresenting you, I'd be happy to re-evaluate.


Hi Gavin - just reading your previous quote and yes I would say it was a little rude! I also am a little confused by your quote about a local company employing local people.....tell that to those STV Aberdeen staff who have either been "let go" or about to be sacked if this 1 hour news programme goes ahead from Glasgow.......how many staff have been made redundant since STV took control of Grampian??
SO
SOL
Aberdeenboy, you say you think the current model is finished, the only way it could really be finished is if STV lose in court, do you know something more than us?

STV have said they'd like the TV3 model which would allow them to start from scratch with a blank schedule, opting into ITV's network if they wish and showing other programmes as they wish. I certainly don't think ITV1 would be allowed a more favourable position on the epg as they are England and Wales PSB, not Scotland's. In fact there could come a time where it is removed all together if STV decide to do AD themselves.

I agree that there will be some change in the future, but I think it's like to be the TV3 model, what you're suggesting would be an end to ITV's PSB licencing, meaning they would immediately give up their channel 3 position and I doubt they'd do that.
AB
aberdeenboy
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Last edited by aberdeenboy on 29 November 2009 1:33pm
SO
SOL
I can't see ITV giving up it's PSB commitments and thus, it's position on channel 3, in it's current financial situation it wouldn't make good business sense. Perhaps 10 or 20 years after analogue switch-off people's attitudes to the 5 main terrestrial TV channels will change, but in the interim, I think a vast amount of ITV's audience will leave if it moves to 117 for example. The dramas they produce would be forgotten and the new channel 3 provider would likely take a good chunk of its share. This is all of course speculation, but that's the point, no one knows.

As far as ITV Player being available in Scotland, of course it probably won't be blocked, just as the STV Player is available to all of the UK. However, that is not their issue. Their issue is ITV advertising their services in Scotland through VM and promos within programming. I agree with their argument regarding this.
GS
Gavin Scott Founding member
SOL posted:
As far as ITV Player being available in Scotland, of course it probably won't be blocked, just as the STV Player is available to all of the UK. However, that is not their issue. Their issue is ITV advertising their services in Scotland through VM and promos within programming. I agree with their argument regarding this.


Not to mention that the STV player is better laid out, more reliable, faster to update titles on an hour by hour basis, and works without glitches on all browsers.

None of which can be said for the ITV offering.

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