MERGER OF GRAMPIAN AND SCOTTISH TELEVISION STATIONS

Motion Text

That this House notes that Scottish Media Group are to merge their two stations in Scotland, Scottish Television and Grampian, into one rebranded channel called STV; believes the rebranding of the new station as STV signifies that this is less of a merger and more of a takeover since Scottish Television was previously known as STV; notes that since the takeover of Grampian Scottish Media Group in 1998 there has been a dramatic reduction in the number of local programmes being produced in or about the north of Scotland; further notes that Ulster TV are strengthening their regional identity and achieving a 50 per cent. lead in audience share over the BBC; expresses concern about these developments, their impact on regional programming and the trend towards centralisation in broadcasting in the UK; and calls on Scottish Media Group to explain in detail how it will strengthen its regional broadcasting throughout the North of Scotland.