Changes to BBC Scotland news programming approved by Ofcom

A proposal to cut back peak-time news on BBC Scotland – which will include ending the channel’s flagship news bulletin The Nine – has been approved by Ofcom.

In February, the BBC announced a raft of changes to news programming, which included replacing the hour-long Nine with a 30-minute news programme at 19:00 on the same channel and increased investment in online news.

Ofcom ruled that the changes were “appropriate” for the BBC’s public purposes and that the corporation’s wider plans “have the potential to meet the changing needs of audiences in Scotland.”

The media regulator stated it would continue to assess the changes once they take place and report back on them next year.

BBC Scotland welcomed Ofcom’s decision.

The Nine started broadcasting in February 2019 from an open-plan studio space on the third floor at BBC Scotland’s Pacific Quay HQ in Glasgow.

It provides a mix of news from Scotland, the UK and around the world.

However, attention on the programme in recent years has often focused on low viewing figures – leading MSPs to quiz BBC Scotland director Steve Carson on the matter.

Mr Carson said The Nine reached more than 100,000 viewers every week and Friday to Sunday bulletin The Seven – which will also be axed – reached more than 20,000.

Ofcom analysis found that The Nine’s average audience had fallen year on year since 2020, to an average of about 10,000 in 2023.

During the February announcement, Mr Carson said the changes would “play to our strengths as an innovative broadcaster that delivers high-quality journalism to audiences across all our platforms”.

Announcing its decision, Ofcom said: “Having carefully considered the responses to our consultation, we have decided to approve the BBC’s request.

“We consider that the revised news quota is appropriate for requiring the BBC to fulfil its mission and promote its public purposes, and that the wider BBC plans have the potential to meet the changing needs of audiences in Scotland. We also consider the risk to fair and effective competition is low.

“The BBC must be transparent about how it is delivering for audiences in Scotland, and we will hold it to account. We expect the BBC to monitor the impact of the changes it has proposed and be ready to continue to adapt as necessary to meet audience needs.

“We will also monitor performance and will report on it in our annual report on the BBC next year.”

Ofcom’s report also stated that the proposed new 19:00 programme, with more of a focus on Scottish news stories, “appears to be more in line with what audiences have said they want”.

A Scottish government response to the Ofcom consultation said it was “deeply concerned” by the proposal and that the changes “could leave behind those that need the service the most”.

Other BBC Scotland plans to reshape its news services in the future include launching a new topical current affairs podcast series, extending the Debate Night programme to 30 episodes this year and presenting a number of hour-long special editions of Reporting Scotland.

Following the Ofcom announcement, BBC Scotland said: ‘We welcome Ofcom’s decision to approve the proposed change to the BBC’s operating licence for the Scotland channel. We will focus on shaping the new offer for audiences over the coming months and share further details in due course.’