IF IT ain’t broke, don’t fix it. But the fact that BBC Scotland is set to embark upon a period of major change with the appearance of a new multi-platform channel, suggests the broadcaster recognises a reboot is required.
There are clearly problems at Pacific Quay; the Glasgow-based operation is no longer able to carry so many programmes to the network, which has long been a benchmark of success.
Now, the hunt is on for a running sitcom to achieve the longevity of a Rab C.Nesbitt, particularly given the demise of Still Game. Yes, Two Doors Down has been a great runner. But for how long? And BBC Scotland really can’t continue to cite opt out shows such as Scots Squad and Only An Excuse? as major success stories.
Yes, Mrs Brown’s Boy is made in Glasgow but that’s because of Brendan O’Carroll’s insistence on filming in Glasgow.
Drama output too is down; gone are the halcyon days of continued network success with the likes of Hamish Macbeth. Yes, Shetland has hit the mark, but it contrasts with the innate silliness of the likes of Trust Me.
It has long been argued too that soap River City swallows a major part of the drama budget - with less than half a million viewers and Scots audience. And grenades of complaint are regularly launched against the London production companies who open an office in Glasgow and call themselves Scottish.
And while viewing figures in Scotland are holding up, viewers are the most critical and least supportive of any demographic group in the UK. Which suggests new BBC Scotland boss Steve Carson will right now be looking to take BBC Scotland to a younger audience, those currently teased by YouTube or Netfilix. The Northern Ireland-born award winning broadcaster will be keen to see quality programmes such as Belfast-filmed Line of Duty emerge from Glasgow.
That’s not to say BBC Scotland is entirely untuned from its audience. Documentaries as diverse as the Gaelic Bus to Billy Connolly’s life story feed the cultural hunger. But when only one in six viewers definitely plan to watch the new channel, according to research commissioned by the broadcaster, a major shake-up is on the way.
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