BBC Scotland ditches The Nine after flagship news programme struggles to win viewers

The Nine was broadcast live from the BBC Scotland HQ in Glasgow

BBC Scotland has ditched its flagship news programme The Nine after it struggled to win viewers.

The publicly-funded broadcaster announced today it planned to launch a new 30-minute Scottish current affairs programme to go live at 7pm on weeknights.

The Nine was launched in a blaze of publicity in 2019 with a 15-strong team of reporters and presenters, with dozens more working behind the scenes.

The BBC had hoped it would answer critics of its news output in Scotland, which was a frequent target of Nationalist anger during the 2014 independence referendum campaign.

But the programme has now been axed after failing to win a loyal audience of viewers.

It was revealed last month that some episodes reached just 1,700 people.

The broadcaster said Scots could now look forward to more extended editions of Reporting Scotland at 6.30pm.

Gary Smith, the corporation’s head of news, said: “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.”

Angus Robertson, the Scottish Government Culture Secretary, criticised the decision and claimed it ran counter to the “growing success” of TV in Scotland.

He said: “Extremely disappointing BBC decision to downgrade news output in Scotland. Decision runs counter to growing success of screen and TV sector in Scotland.

“I am seeking earliest possible meetings with BBC Director General Tim Davie and Ofcom to discuss.”

He added: “BBC Scotland is currently obliged by Ofcom to deliver 250 yearly hours of news content. The planned BBC cuts would reduce this to 150 hours, and are subject to consultation by and approval of the BBC’s regulator, Ofcom.”

Steve Carson, BBC Scotland director, said: “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.”

The broadcaster said it would maintain its six and a half hours of weekday radio news programmes and “build on the success” of The Sunday Show.

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