Scotland’s Culture Secretary, Mairi McAllan, has described plans to move the BBC Scotland channel exclusively online as “wholly unacceptable” and confirmed she will raise concerns with media regulator Ofcom.
The BBC announced on Tuesday that BBC Scotland would move entirely to BBC iPlayer from spring 2027 as part of a wider package of cost-cutting measures. The changes will also see BBC Three and Radio 4 Extra move online, with the corporation confirming that 10 jobs will be lost in Scotland.
McAllan said the Scottish Government strongly opposed the decision, warning that it represented a significant blow to Scotland’s media landscape.
“The proposal to close the BBC Scotland channel is wholly unacceptable and the Scottish Government opposes it in the strongest possible terms,” she said.
She argued that the move was the latest example of what she described as a long-standing pattern of BBC underinvestment in Scotland, raising questions about the broadcaster’s commitment to Scottish audiences, the creative industries and its public service obligations across the UK.
McAllan added that she had raised her concerns directly with the BBC Scotland director and would engage with Ofcom to highlight the potential impact of the proposals.
Scottish Green culture spokesperson Q Manivannan also criticised the decision, describing it as a “huge blow for staff” and warning that moving away from a traditional television channel could leave some viewers behind.
Manivannan said the change risked making BBC Scotland less accessible, particularly for older people and those who faced difficulties accessing online services.
“Not everyone has reliable internet access, the right devices or the confidence to navigate digital services,” they said. “Public broadcasting should be available to everyone, not just those who are digitally connected.”
The Scottish Greens said they were prepared to support the Scottish Government in efforts to protect Scotland’s broadcasting sector, particularly during discussions with Westminster ahead of the BBC’s Charter renewal next year.
They added that protecting inclusive and accessible public broadcasting was especially important at a time when Scotland’s media industry was already facing considerable pressure.
However, shadow Scottish secretary Harriet Cross acknowledged that the BBC had to consider changing viewing habits, noting that fewer people in Scotland were watching traditional linear television.
Cross said BBC Scotland had frequently covered stories and issues from rural communities that might otherwise have been overlooked by the main BBC channel.
While recognising the value of that programming, she argued that the BBC must ensure it delivers value for money and reflects the interests of audiences.
She also called on SNP ministers to work with the corporation to protect Scottish television production from further cuts.
In a message to staff, BBC director-general Matt Brittin defended the wider cost-saving programme, saying the corporation needed to “make every pound work harder”.
He stressed that much of the content currently available on the affected services would remain accessible through BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds.
“While this follows media speculation, I recognise the confirmation of this news will be hard for audiences and colleagues,” Brittin said.
The BBC’s plans have prompted concerns about the future of dedicated Scottish broadcasting, with critics warning that moving BBC Scotland exclusively online could reduce accessibility for some viewers and weaken the visibility of Scottish stories on television.
The proposals are also likely to intensify debate over the BBC’s public service responsibilities, how it allocates resources across the UK and the role traditional television channels should play as audiences increasingly turn to digital platforms.