SCOTTISH Television is to launch its new channel, STV2, in a fortnight.
The company said the channel will show what is happening across Scotland with a "distinct and exciting schedule", offering live events, news, drama and movies.
STV’s existing city channels for Glasgow and Edinburgh will be rebranded and combined with three new licences for Aberdeen, Ayr and Dundee under one distinct name, STV2 on Monday April 24.
The channel will broadcast 24 hours a day, seven days a week on Freeview channel 8, Sky channel 117, Virgin channel 159 and will be streamed online via the STV Player.
The company said STV2 is the "first channel of its kind committed to delivering choice for consumers in Scotland with a unique blend of content and an enhanced news service".
The launch will mark the start of STV’s new service for Scotland, STV News Tonight.
Bobby Hain, director of channels at STV, said: “Our flagship news programme, STV News Tonight, will air every weeknight as part of a diverse schedule including a daily live magazine show, programming showcasing key cultural events and local sport plus top quality drama and entertainment.”
The new channel will reach approximately 85 per cent of viewers in STV’s transmission area.
STV2 will be delivered in partnership with further education colleges and universities from across the country, including Glasgow Caledonian University, Edinburgh Napier University, Robert Gordon University, North East Scotland College in Aberdeen, the University of the West of Scotland, Abertay University and Dundee and Angus College.
The team will work with students on a range of links including placements, internships, training and guest lecturing.
The news comes as BBC Scotland plans a new Scottish digital channel, while facing an inquiry by MPs into why executives rejected a dedicated "Scottish Six" hour-long news programme.
It was claimed BBC Scotland spent months developing a news programme to replace the Six O’Clock News on BBC1, with a series of pilots using different formats that were not then commissioned.
The BBC's Scottish television channel will go on air in the autumn of 2018 and include a nightly Scottish-led hour-long news and current affairs programme at the later time of 9pm.
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