STV - a dispute on the horizon?

In September, Democratic Left Scotland highlighted the threat to jobs and journalistic services at STV.

With the results of the formal ballot now known, strike action looks likely if a resolution cannot be found. Staff at STV have made their views clear with 94% voting for strike action. 

STV hold two licences - STV Central and STV North. The two News at Six programmes are popular and regularly outperform the comparable BCC programme.

If Ofcom rules in STV's favour, the two news programmes will be replaced with one – there will be no separate news for the Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen areas. 

The STV blames falling advertising revenue for the situation - but this has been challenged by the NUJ.

We stand with all those who have questioned the value of cutting the STV provision. We support the union and its allies in their opposition to compulsory redundancies. We support quality local journalism as a key component of a democratic society. 

Published 9 December 2025