BBC Scotland has announced an overhaul of its news and current affairs programming.
According to the Corporation, the changes are designed to grow the impact of broadcast news services in Scotland whilst offering audiences more ways to watch and listen to news and current affairs output across its services.
It notes that this will be a busy news year, with the forthcoming General Election and 2024 UEFA European Football Championships.
The proposed changes, some of which are subject to Ofcom approval, include:
- Launching a new 30 minute news programme at 7pm on the BBC Scotland Channel. This will replace The Nine. The new programme, following Reporting Scotland at 6.30pm on BBC One Scotland, will have coverage from across Scotland, the UK and the world.
- Launching a new topical current affairs series which will be published as a podcast on BBC Sounds and also be available to audiences on BBC iPlayer, BBC Scotland channel and BBC One Scotland.
- Regularly extending Reporting Scotland on BBC One for a number of hour-long special editions across the year.
- Extending the series run of Debate Night this year, increasing from 24 episodes to 30 episodes.
- Increasing the frequency of 'live' online reporting and explanatory articles on the News website and News App, as part of the BBC's overall strategy to strengthen its online news offer.
The BBC has committed to maintaining the six-and-a-half hours of weekday radio news programmes; building on the success of The Sunday Show; and further investment in the work of its Disclosure investigations team.
Gary Smith, Head of News & Current affairs says: "It's going to be a busy year for news with a UK election, an American election, and Scotland's trip to Germany for the Euros.
"We need to make sure we keep changing our output as audience habits change, so that we provide the best possible service for our audiences in the formats and on the platforms they want.
"I'm very proud that The Nine has produced such great journalism and developed such great talent over the past five years, and I’m confident that our new offer to audiences will continue to meet those high standards."
Steve Carson, Director BBC Scotland says: "In launching new shows and developing our digital services, these changes play to our strengths as an innovative broadcaster that delivers high quality journalism to audiences across all our platforms - from TV and Radio to online news, iPlayer and Sounds."
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