River City did not pass value for money test, BBC Scotland boss tells MSPs
Bosses announced plans to cancel the show, which has been running since 2002, next year, claiming viewing patterns had shifted.
The decision has raised concerns about impacts on the screen sector in Scotland.
But, appearing at Holyrood's Culture Committee on Thursday, BBC Scotland director Hayley Valentine said: 'I didn't take this lightly and I did think about the consequences for cast, for crew, for people who are impacted by the decision, of course I did.
'However, we have to put our audience's needs first and the audience for River City has declined significantly over the past five years.'
Ms Valentine pointed to a number of new dramas set to be produced by the broadcaster, saying: 'What we'll do with these new dramas, which will absolutely cost more to make, but we'd expect them to deliver much bigger audiences than River City does.
'In terms of value for money for the audience, I'm afraid that River City didn't pass that test for us any longer, and the new dramas, we really hope will.'
The police drama, Shetland, Ms Valentine said, brings in about 700,000 viewers in Scotland and up to eight million elsewhere in the UK, compared to just 200,000 for River City.
Addressing concerns about the future of the sector, she said: 'River City is not the only game in town in terms of access to drama in Scotland, whether you're an actor, whether you're a director, whether you're a producer, whether you're a trainee.
'We offer these opportunities across a really wide range of content, it's not just River City that does that for us.'
Ms Valentine also pointed to budgetary issues at the broadcaster, telling MSPs she doesn't 'have the money to do everything that I want to'.
'There are a million things that I'd like to do that aren't possible.
'So I have to make difficult decisions.
'This decision was made on the basis that the audience figures are not performing for us in the way that we need them to.'
Cast and crew, as well as actors' union Equity, have already appeared before the committee to warn of the impact of the soap's cancellation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
23 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Strictly Come Dancing announces Emmerdale star Lewis Cope as Kristian Nairn replacement
Lewis Cope has been announced as Kristian Nairn's replacement on Strictly Come Dancing. The former Game of Thrones star, 49, had signed up to take part in the upcoming series of the BBC competition, but suddenly quit on Thursday night. They were unveiled as the new contestant for the competition on The One Show just hours later, and will be joining the likes of Geordie Shore legend Vicky Pattison, Neighbours star Stefan Dennis and Love Island winner Dani Dyer amongst a host of others on the dancefloor. It comes after Strictly celebrity pairings 'revealed' and one star who could be 'benched'. Speaking about joining the show, Lewis - who has starred on Emmerdale as Nicky Miligan - said: "I'm so excited to be swapping the Dales for the dance floor and joining this year's Strictly Come Dancing. I've always been a fan of the show and cannot wait to get started!" Lewis only found out on Monday that he was joining the show. Lewis will be known to soap fans as Emmerdale's Nicky - the son of Caleb and Ruby Miligan. He is no longer in the village but his sister and parents still are. Lewis has also had roles in Vera and he worked with David Beckham on an advertising campaign. Just hours earlier, actor and DJ Kristian revealed that he has stepped back for "medical reasons". He said in a statement: 'With a heavy heart, I have to step back from this series of Strictly Come Dancing due to unexpected medical reasons. I was truly looking forward to the journey, and I'm deeply sorry to disappoint anyone who was looking forward to seeing me on the dance floor. Thank you all for your support, and I will be back on my feet very soon, in every sense. Love to all, Kristian." Kristian later released a longer statement, reassuring fans that he's "under treatment already". He said: "I've been given the amazing opportunity of Strictly but sadly I'm having to withdraw. Like so many people at the minute, I have dealing with a high level of stress. And a little bit of grief, if I'm going to be really real. I've always been my mother's son and I have always powered through things like this in the past and any other time of my life actually. "Honestly I think I've got a pretty healthy attitude towards stuff like this. I thought I did at least. For the first time it's manifested physically. And it's caused a spike in my vitals. It's entered an area of concern. I'm a big guy. Always have been, ever since I stepped foot on this earth. "So I take my health very seriously and I do see my doctor all the time. I was checked for the show two weeks before. And everything was fine. So he was happy for me to take part. Please note, I'm ok. I'm under treatment already. And my doctor isn't concerned." He added: "And after 2-3 weeks I'll be pretty much back to normal. But sadly I don't have time for the show now, for all the training and everything like that. And I also don't want to leave them, you and the other contestants hanging. It's not really fair. I'm gutted to say the least. "I was really looking forward to taking part in this. So the guys in the show, I'm not going to lie, they've been completely understanding. I've honestly felt 100% supported so I'm really grateful for that. So let's see what happens when I get sorted. I'm going to be taking it easy for now. And I'll be able to return to work very shortly. "I was so excited for this. Not only for myself but for the amazing people from my home of Northern Ireland. It's always been an honour in my weird way to show I'm from NI. I'm sorry if I've let you down in any way but I will continue to do my best. We live in strange crazy times at the minute so please look after yourself, don't ignore with something that's going on inside your head. "This is something that I haven't dealt with before so this is a surprise for me. I always thought I had this. To my fellow contestants, although it was brief, I really enjoyed meeting you. It's a really great bunch of people and I'm really looking forward to watching and seeing how well you all do. Who knows what the future holds? I'm totally still here. Creating in my own haphazard way and trying to be better than ever. And don't worry guys, I've totally got this. Love you all. Thank you for all the support." Sarah James, Executive Producer at BBC Studios, added: "We've absolutely loved getting to know Kristian in this short time, and he has all the makings of a brilliant Strictly Come Dancing contestant. We're incredibly sorry to lose him from this year's series and we all wish him a speedy recovery."
Scottish Sun
25 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
BBC reveal major show ‘is going nowhere' after lead star quit as bosses give update on beleaguered series
The last series had been bankrolled by Disney+ WHO, WHAT, WHERE? BBC reveal major show 'is going nowhere' after lead star quit as bosses give update on beleaguered series Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE BBC has tried to alleviate the concerns of Doctor Who fans after Ncuti Gatwa quit the Tardis following the shortest Time Lord tenure in 20 years. But they've not been very convincing. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 The BBC has tried to alleviate the concerns of Doctor Who fans after Ncuti Gatwa's exit Credit: PA 3 Gatwa had the shortest Time Lord tenure in 20 years Credit: PA The corporation's new Chief Content Officer Katie Phillips was grilled about the sci-fi show's future on a stage at the Edinburgh TV Festival, and she couldn't say for sure when, or if, it would be recommissioned by them. She was asked about Disney+, who bankrolled the last two series, and whether the Beeb would be willing to keep the show going if they didn't renew their arrangement. Katie replied: 'Absolutely. Any Whovians out there, rest assured, Doctor Who is going nowhere. 'Disney has been a great partnership, but going forward with or without Disney Doctor Who will still be on the BBC.' But when pressed on when they'd confirm any decision she replied: 'Soon, don't worry. "The Tardis is going nowhere. Lindsay Salt will be on soon so she can talk a bit more about that.' Then when Lindsay, the BBC's director of drama, arrived on the same stage, she was equally vague about the long-running show. She said: 'There's no update at the moment, but honestly we will share as soon as we do have an update. 'The BBC is committed to the brand. "For drama, it's the biggest brand for the under 35-year-olds. Billie Piper announced as new Doctor Who as she replaces Ncuti Gatwa in BBC series "So it's very important to us and we're committed.' A massive question mark now hangs over the future of the show and whether the Beeb's 'commitment' and determination to keep it 'with the BBC' actually means they'll order a new series any time soon. It all comes after Ncuti's departure amid plunging viewing figures, which some fans have blamed on the increasingly woke storylines under the tenure of Russell T Davies. The BBC had previously said they wouldn't make any decisions until after the most recent series finished running — well, that was nearly three months ago now. Bizbit SKY announced that it is making an interview series with Dame Judi Dench which will see her chat to various celebrities. Called Tea With Judi Dench, the show sees her tap into her contacts book for subjects – the first being her fellow luvvie Sir Kenneth Branagh. PLOPPER FUNNY, DANNY ATTENDEES at the Edinburgh TV Festival like to think they are a sophisticated bunch, but the biggest laugh heard at the event proved otherwise. Sky unveiled a clip of its upcoming show, The Dyers' Caravan Park, which sees Danny Dyer and daughter Dani try their hand at running a holiday park they have invested in. The first thing they are seen doing is organising a meeting with the residents. During the chat, complaints are raised that the park's swimming pool had people doing number twos in there. While discussing this later in the day, Danny delivers a lovely little anecdote to Dani. He tells her: 'I s**t in the bath once, didn't I? "Me and my brother used to have a bath and I s**t in it and I pushed it up his end of the bath, because I didn't want to get in trouble.' You had to be there. Bizbit QUOTE of the day came, predictably, from hilarious ITV boss Kevin Lygo, who was asked at the TV festival how he felt about making shows for young people. He was trying to say it could be a venture that could backfire, but instead said: 'You can get in terrible trouble chasing teenagers.' NO LAUGHING MATTER JUST like the contestants have to stifle a giggle, try to contain your excitement as Prime Video gives us a first look at the new line-up for Last One Laughing. The breakout hit show has brought together a top-class collection of comedians for the second series, which arguably tops the first run. 3 The cast of Last One Laughing series two Bob Mortimer, who triumphed last time round, is back along with hosts Jimmy Carr and Roisin Conaty. All Bob had to do to win was spend time with ten of the funniest men and women in Britain and not even smile, let alone laugh. Which is no mean feat. Prime Video promises that the new season, which airs next year, will once again be 'packed with comedy cameos, format twists and surprises designed to elicit laughs from both players and viewers alike'.
Scottish Sun
25 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
BBC star reveals doctors ordered her to stop drinking amid worrying health scare and lifelong depression battle
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ESCAPE To The Country's Briony May Williams has revealed she decided to go sober after a terrifying health scare. The former Bake Off star, 40, became a regular face on the cosy countryside favourite in 2020, two years after her stint in the cooking show tent. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Briony revealed a stomach ulcer triggered her sobriety journey Credit: Alamy 6 The star says she feels happier and healthier as a result of the decision Credit: Ciara Hillyer 6 An Escape to the Country favourite, Briony says her mental health has improved without alcohol Credit: BBC In 2023, Briony ended up in hospital shortly before her 39th birthday, with the stint prompting her to make a major lifestyle change. She told The Express: 'I ended up in hospital with what turned out to be a stomach ulcer, and they said, 'It's probably best if you stop drinking for a bit'. 'It was never an addiction issue, I was a social drinker, I'd go out and have some wine, that kind of thing. 'But they said, 'Oh it's probably best if you stop for a little bit just to let the stomach ulcer settle'. So I stopped for a few weeks and I felt really good.' From that point on, Briony said she decided to 'just keep going', and found herself losing weight, feeling healthier, and being more present with loved ones. 'My mental health especially has improved no end - I've had depression since my late teens and that is so much easier to manage not having alcohol in my life,' she said. Now, Briony has become an advocate for sober living, launching Instagram page Gloriously Sober, and creating a community for those who have also ditched booze. Her career has also soared, with her becoming one of Escape to the Country's most loved presenters. The series follows house hunters as they try to escape city life to find property in the countryside. The hosting team are on hand to show them around houses they think might fit the bill. Stunning Scots island with gorgeous 'Caribbean' beaches and crystal-clear blue waters and it's only an hour from Glasgow The latest series started on Monday (18th August) with Ritchie Anderson joining the rotating cast of hosts. It kicked off with Sonali Shah helping a Cheshire couple with a £250,000 budget try and find their Scottish dream home on Argyll and Bute's Kintyre peninsula. 6 The star joined Escape to the Country in 2020 Credit: BBC 6 Since quitting drinking, the star has lost three stone and feels healthier Credit: Instagram / brionymaybakes
