Scotland should have its own television channel but powers over broadcasting should not be devolved to Holyrood, a landmark report into the future of Scottish broadcasting has found.
The Scottish Broadcasting Commission, asked just over a year ago by Alex Salmond, the First Minister, to plot a way forward for television and radio, recommended the establishment of a new £75m public TV service called the Scottish Network.
But the commission, led by former BBC executive Blair Jenkins, has not called for powers over broadcasting to be devolved fully from Westminster to the Scottish Parliament. He has also not laid down how the channel could be funded.
He said ministers at the Scottish Parliament should have more oversight over broadcasting matters and that it becomes a joint responsibility of both parliaments.
The report, which has 22 recommendations, argues that it is possible within the Scotland Act to give Scottish ministers some powers, such as interrogating TV executives at Holyrood.
The conclusions of the report, published yesterday, allowed room for the Scottish Government to call on Westminster and the UK broadcasters to change their policies in Scotland.
One issue which remains unresolved is the method of payment for the new channel.
Mr Jenkins said that the new Scottish Network would have an annual cost of £50m-£75m but would not be drawn on whether these funds should come from the television licence fee.
Mr Salmond said the report's findings were "a blueprint for a revolution in Scottish broadcasting".
He said: "The report is a major challenge to the Westminster Government and the broadcasters themselves to step up to the plate - there can no longer be no possible excuse for inaction.The key recommendation for the creation of a new public service Scottish digital network is of great importance."
Ken MacQuarrie, controller of BBC Scotland, said: "We welcome any investment for audiences in Scotland but we want to hear more about the proposition."
The report calls for the BBC to move management of one of its four main channels to Scotland, for BBC Scotland to review its TV commissioning policy and funding, as well as reviewing the remit of Radio Scotland.
It calls for industry regulator Ofcom to keep in place the non-news public service obligations on the two STV licences - and make Scottish news and current affairs an "absolute requirement" in any new settlement.
It says the BBC should deliver the commitment that 8.6% of network TV production is made in Scotland within four years, rather than the eight years proposed, and Channel 4 should have a mandatory target of 8.6%, as well as basing one of its commissioning departments in Scotland.
David Cairns, the Scotland Office Minister, said he welcomed the report's "underlying principle" that Scottish broadcasting should remain part of UK broadcasting.
He said: "Breaking up the BBC, Balkanising Channel 4 and making Scottish broadcasters foreigners in the English and Welsh media markets may be the SNP's desired aim, but it is not in the interests of Scotland."
Tavish Scott, the leader of the LibDems said: "Finance would likely be a significant issue if a Scottish digital channel were to be set up."
Ted Brocklebank, spokesman for the Tories on cultural matters, said: "Why should the UK taxpayer be asked to foot the bill for a new Scottish channel when the Westminster Government can't even provide help for energy bills for hard-pressed householders?"
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