Television in Scotland has played an important role in Scottish life since the early days of broadcasting, informing, entertaining and reflecting the nation’s culture, history and identity. From major news events and political debates to drama, sport, documentaries and children’s programmes, television has helped connect communities across Scotland, from the largest cities to the most remote islands. Today, viewers enjoy a mix of Scottish-produced programming alongside UK-wide and international content through traditional broadcasting and streaming services.
Scotland has a proud history of broadcasting, with shows made mainly in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness. While the BBC and STV are still the main broadcasters, Scotland also has a growing independent TV production industry that makes shows watched across the UK and worldwide. New digital technology has changed how people watch TV, with on-demand services and online platforms adding to traditional TV channels. Despite these changes, television still plays an important part in Scottish life, celebrating national events, sharing local stories and showing Scotland’s people, landscapes and achievements.
Television in Scotland – Broadcasters
BBC Scotland
BBC Scotland is the national BBC service that offers TV, radio, and online services for people in Scotland. As part of the UK’s public service broadcaster, it aims to inform, teach, and entertain while showing Scotland’s unique culture, history, politics, and communities. BBC Scotland produces a wide range of programs, including news, current affairs, documentaries, drama, sports, music, and educational shows, and covers major national events such as elections, the Edinburgh Festivals, the Royal Highland Show, and Scotland’s international sporting events.
Based at Pacific Quay in Glasgow, BBC Scotland also has production centres and offices in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness, Dumfries, and other locations to ensure stories from across the country are covered. Its own TV channel, BBC Scotland, launched in 2019 and complements the shows on BBC One Scotland by offering original Scottish programmes in the evening. Besides TV, BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio nan GÃ idheal provide listeners with news, music, cultural shows, and Gaelic-language programs, while the BBC News website offers wide online coverage of Scottish news.
Scottish Television – STV
STV – Scottish Television, now widely known simply as STV, has been a familiar part of Scottish life since it first went on air on 31 August 1957. Established as the ITV franchise holder for central Scotland, it quickly became one of the country’s leading broadcasters, producing a mixture of news, current affairs, sport, entertainment and drama. Over the decades, STV has also contributed many programmes to the wider ITV network, while remaining committed to telling Scottish stories and reflecting life across the nation.
A major change came in 2006, when STV’s parent company acquired Grampian Television, bringing together the two commercial ITV licences covering most of Scotland. Although the historic Grampian name was eventually retired in favour of the STV brand, local news coverage continued to recognise the distinct needs of different parts of the country. Today, STV News provides comprehensive coverage across Scotland through regional editions serving the North, East, West and Central areas, alongside national reporting on the stories that matter to viewers throughout the country.
In addition to its traditional television service, STV has embraced the digital age through STV Player, which allows audiences to watch live television and catch up on programmes online. More than sixty years after its launch, STV remains Scotland’s principal commercial public service broadcaster, combining locally-produced Scottish content with popular ITV network programming and continuing to play an important role in the nation’s media landscape.
Television in Scotland – News
BBC Scotland Television Programes
Debate Night – Topical debate on the big issues affecting Scotland and beyond.
Landward – Scotland’s farming and countryside programme focusing on the issues affecting the community.
The Nine – National and international news, plus sport and weather.
River City – Drama series set in a close-knit Glasgow community.
Scot Squad – Spoof comedy following the first Unified Scottish Police Force.
The Sunday Show – Big interviews, discussion and analysis on the stories that matter to Scotland.
Two Doors Down – Comedy centred around a couple and their insufferable neighbours.
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