The BBC Scotland television channel will stop broadcasting in spring 2027 as part of cost-cutting measures announced by the corporation.

Viewers in Renfrewshire and across Scotland will instead be able to watch BBC Scotland programmes on BBC iPlayer, with Scottish programming also continuing on BBC One Scotland and BBC Two.

Reporting Scotland: News at Seven will end when the channel closes and will not move to iPlayer.

The changes will involve the closure of around 10 posts at BBC Scotland, in addition to 60 role closures announced earlier this year. Consultation has begun with affected teams and unions.

BBC Two in Scotland will be adapted to show Scotland-only programmes again. It will become the new television home for the broadcaster’s Friday evening SPFL Championship coverage.

The ability to broadcast a separate Scottish schedule on BBC Two ended in 2019, when the BBC Scotland channel launched.

The announcement is part of wider BBC plans to save £500 million by 2028. BBC Three and BBC Radio 4 Extra will also stop broadcasting as scheduled television and radio services in spring 2027.

BBC Three programmes will be available on iPlayer and other platforms, including YouTube. Radio 4 Extra programmes will be available on BBC Sounds.

The BBC said the changes reflected a continuing shift from traditional television viewing to digital services.

According to the broadcaster, more than one million signed-in accounts now access BBC Scotland content on iPlayer each week. The number of accounts accessing its content has grown by 70% over four years.

BBC Scotland director Hayley Valentine said: “Against the backdrop of significant financial challenges, we must focus our resources where they will have the greatest impact for audiences. The way audiences watch television continues to change at pace and our data tells us that more people are choosing to watch BBC Scotland content on BBC iPlayer now.

“By continuing the channel on BBC iPlayer, we can ensure Scottish content thrives in a digital environment, while BBC Two in Scotland, alongside BBC One Scotland, will maintain a strong and distinctive Scottish presence on linear television.”

Other Scottish news and current affairs programmes will continue, including Reporting Scotland, The Sunday Show, Radio Scotland Breakfast, Scotcast and Debate Night.

The BBC said it was continuing to work with staff and unions to consider options to avoid compulsory redundancies.

By Ricky Kelly

Main writer for Renfrewshire News

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