STV News

Oh God, people on here are never happy, are they?

First of all people like me complain that Scotland is too big a region to be covered by one news programme. This is more than adequately demonstrated by the farce that is Reporting Scotland giving more prominence to badgers in Orkney and car parking in the Borders than major crime stories in the central belt, simply to box tick.

Scotland Today does a better job, but far too often takes Grampian stories for its central bulletins and vice versa (a practice which, unfortunately, I'm sure will not be stopped by this). And quite frankly, unless something has exploded or there's a matter of major consequence for me, I don't give a toss what happens in Edinburgh. Sorry, I know it's parochial, but local news is supposed to be local.

So STV (presumably in return for getting to cut a crapload of local programming hours) concede to a request for a more local programme, and what do we get? People complaining that some of the towns on the borders of each micro-region could end up with the wrong one? Well sorry, but these areas can't stand in the way of the majority. Teething problems are inevitable with anything like this. And then the idea that we've only got four million people? Well yes, but a) we are a separate country, not a region; and b) a sodding big country. There's no point in giving me reports on fishing in Peterhead - you might as well just give me news for Newcastle, it's nearer.

And the idea Shereen went because of this? Crap. She went because she was offered a heavy duty payoff by STV as they had to make redundancies. And have no doubt employed far cheaper presenters in a bid to cut their bills. Which will give them an extra 10p for the power meter at difficult times...

Gaaaaaagh. Anyway, sorry for the rant. I just feel that, in these days of declining regional programming and with the distinct possibility of STV being taken over at any point by UTV/ITV/Real Radio (probably not, but they're taking everything else), we should actually be grateful for anything that is an improved service.

Some may think it is better others may not - especially when they have lost the Grampian name.
The proof will be in the pudding though come January 8th!!

I have noted the past few days North Today has been announced as "Now the Scottish News"....................erm NO!!!!

Since the stations rebranded as stv, that has been the announcement for Scotland Today...

Has anyone seen the Scotland Today promo for the split news service?
It basically tells us that we will have more local news from January 8th...

Scotland Today, North Tonight or whatever they are called are boring and low quality programmes. I would either watch Reporting Scotland - high quality presentation and informed reporting or go online for news. I would never watch any of the aforementioned ITV1 based programmes. They are tacky and bland.

Reporting Scotland is utterly tedious. 99% of the stories start with "The Scottish Executive has announced", or have something to do with some tedious press release or report. There is no chemistry between the two presenters (or, occasionally, they do a passable imitation of Anchorman because there's an undercurrent where they seem to hate each other). They are too busy doing tedious boxticking - absolutely boring stories from the Shetlands - because they feel they need to cover every single part of Scotland equally. Despite the fact the majority of stories will happen in the most built-up areas. And it all gives the impression of some London mandarins idea of what the teuchters want. It gives the impression that some director has been brought in from Isle of Man Today or something and has no idea of the scale he's dealing with (a country, not a region). And most annoyingly of all, it's got this misplaced, smug, we're so broadsheet and we're better than STV attitude, when in fact half its stories aren't good enough for the most twee local paper.

Scotland Today, on the other hand, give the impression of going that extra mile for a story. They're occasionally a little more inventive. It's more interesting to watch. And ok, it seems a little unplaced since the recent changes, but it's in a transitional phase until the new services come on line. But even now, with a 50p budget and that being strained by having to provide enhanced regional coverage, it's still better than the BBC's terrible effort.

Sorry, rant over.

I have to agree with every work you said there, p_c_u_k. Reporting Scotland think that because they are run by the government, they are automatically better than stv, when they are not. And, the studio and graphics are stuck in the 90s, even though they were launched in 2004, I think...

I think these programmes appeal to a certain audience and that is fine. If you like serious news delivered in a tabloid style package then they are perfect.

You have both made interesting and slightly skewed observations, especially around the reporting of stories. The programme reports on stories from all over Scotland hence its rather simple name... why should reports from Shetland not be included... it suggests you have a rather poor understanding of Scottish matters.

Ratings would suggest Scottish viewers prefer Reporting Scotland or at least they keep switching on for it.

Well said BBC Scotland.....just because you don't stay in Glasgow or Edinburgh does NOT mean you you can not have a news important to you.

Oh I totally agree that the point of Reporting Scotland is that it covers the whole country. I may disagree with the idea of treating Scotland as one region (it's far too big geographically - a story about Peterhead is as relevant to me as Newcastle). But under the current restraints, fine, the whole country has to be covered. And if a massive (or even just quirky and fun) story breaks in the Shetlands or the Borders, then fine, they should cover it.

My objection is to the amount of stories thrown in just to box tick. We've had stories about car parking charges in the Borders, some bypass in Aberdeen, neither of which are a) that big in their local area, b) of national importance and c) would have been covered if it had been the centre of Glasgow or Edinburgh. It's like they've got some sort of quota they need to hit for each area, and that's never healthy - surely the best stories should get in, no matter what area they're from.

Incidentally, with regard to ratings. Reporting Scotland has a natural advantage in that a) people will traditionally tune to the BBC for news, like they will for any major event; and b) Scotland Today is on half an hour earlier, when many people (myself included) are still on their way home.

STV ( old Scottish ) has about 2-3 million people Add the STV north

then you get about 4million people then if you look at other areas, some have more than that!

I don't like this Mico region, the way there going there end up like the CRAP English newsroom talking about some some lady dancing or something,

Unlike STV, which is Hard hitting, more death on the street of Glasgow.,... more of that please!