Scottish Independence

What would happen to Scottish TV if scotland eve became independent, which could theoretically happen with the SNP in a good Stance to have a majority in the Scottish Parliament? I could see a SBC, STV staying as is, and a Fourth Channel.

If some way down the line, Independence happens, then BBC Scotland would under the SNP's plans become the SBC. They state that they want all licence fee money raised in Scotland spent on BBC Scotland / SBC. So that'll leave a grand sum of £0 for buying in imports and network BBC programming. They seem to think the BBC licence fee payers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will pay for all these programmes and just give them to the SBC for free... So the SBC will be like RTE. But quite probably worse. And they'll be pushed to have enough content to fill more than one channel at best.

there don't have enough space at the momet anyway!

just think of it No more eastenders, no life on mars, bbc new.....

The BBC should stick two fingers to the SNP and leave Scotland without any kind of BBC, selling all its resources there to raise money for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Make the nutters found their own SBC starting from scratch - and I'll tell you what, bet they won't be able to!

This is assuming that independence does happen, the SNP have promised a referendum on the subject by 2008 (?). From various polls, the support for separation isn't that high is it? I maybe wrong?

I wonder what would happen with the other network channels, would PSB still apply to them in Scotland?

According to a recent survey, support for Scottish independence was marginally higher in England than in Scotland.

Interesting. In terms of percentages?

I really hope after the forthcoming elections they don't start having a " should we have a Scottish six o'clock news " debate again. I think the journalistic quality to fill half an hour of regional news on BBC IMO is very poor.

Also, as I've stated in another thread, when I was at a one of the " It's Your BBC " type discussions a couple of years ago, nearly everyone in the room was opposed to missing the last 20 mintues of Newsnight for Newsnight Scotland - although some said they wouldn't mind a programme separate from the 50 minute UK edition. The BBC Scotland news boss said he " would look into this ".

And suddenly there is a massive shift in popularity backing the SNP's moves for independence!

Yeh but maybe more River City - suddenly the SNP's popularity dwindles

For the answer to this I think you have to look at Ireland. You would have an SBC1, SBC2 and probably a commercial station. But beyond that I reckon UK channels would still be prominent, whether officially or unofficially.

The increasing prominence of digital means UK stations means lots of people would have access on SKY, and any Scotland terrestrial digital service would need them to fill spaces, much like the Irish one.

Also, could you take SMG's franchise off them or would they be invited to create a new, non-ITV channel? They'd struggle with the latter.

Yes. Sorry, didn't make that clear.