STV’s chief executive has defended controversial changes to its news programmes following a restructuring that cut around 60 jobs.
Rufus Radcliffe defended the overhaul, which included the loss of around 30 editorial roles and prompted industrial action, community opposition and scrutiny from politicians.
Two editions of the broadcaster’s flagship 6pm news programme launched on 13 July, both broadcast from Glasgow.
Speaking to Daily Business editor Terry Murden, Radcliffe said: “Our volume of viewing and share of viewing have gone up since we implemented the changes.”
He said the restructuring had put public service news on a sustainable financial footing while allowing STV to expand its digital coverage.
“This has also allowed us to accelerate the amount of digital news that we are doing, so digital video views in the first half are up 31%,” he said.
The digital figure covers the first half of the year, before the revised television programmes launched in July.
Radcliffe added: “We made the right decision and it is resonating well with audiences.”
His comments came ahead of a Scottish Affairs Committee hearing at which MPs were due to question broadcasting regulator Ofcom about the changes.
The defence of STV’s news strategy comes as the company faces wider financial pressure. First-half group revenue fell 27%, from £90m to £66.1m, and no dividend was announced.
STV Studios recorded a revenue decline from £42.2m to £15.5m amid slower commissioning decisions and is undergoing an internal review.
You can read the full interview, which also covered the launch of STV Radio, here.