STV in Scotland set to cut 10% of staff as part of cost-cutting plan

Around 60 jobs are at risk at STV after the Scottish broadcaster revealed plans to find savings of around £3m (US$4m) per year due to the “difficult trading environment” caused by the ongoing UK commissioning slump and soft advertising market.

Rufus Radcliffe

Bosses have informed staff that around 10% of roles at the Glasgow-based channel are likely to be affected after STV Group’s latest financial report painted a bleak economic picture.

Its interim results for the six-month period ended June 30 showed that total revenue decreased from £90.4m last year to 2025’s figure of £90m, while operating profit almost halved year-on-year to £3.3m from £6.5m.

Total advertising revenue was down 10% to £45.6m from £50.7m, which was blamed on a 16% drop in linear advertising. The group’s net debt increased by almost £8m year-on-year to £35.7m.

There was better news from the group’s production arm STV Studios (STVS), which posted revenue of £42.2m, up 13% from last year’s figure of £37.5m, achieved “despite a difficult commissioning market” the report noted. STVS won 30 greenlights during H1 of 2025, including drama Army of Shadows, which was ordered by Channel 4.

STV management said it is “implementing a comprehensive cost savings programme to protect profitability” in response to the market downturn.

It will also review STVS’ unscripted portfolio, with plans to stop development activity at STVS Entertainment and make no further investment in Mighty Productions, the entertainment and factual entertainment label it took a stake in during 2022.

The broadcaster will go ahead with plans to launch STV Radio, despite the looming threat of lay-offs.

Rufus Radcliffe, STV’s CEO, said: “I have every confidence that STV will navigate the currently difficult trading environment in both our key markets, successfully implement our FastFwd strategy and deliver sustainable value to our shareholders.

“We recognise that our cost savings programme impacts colleagues across the business, and we are committed to supporting people through this change. These steps are necessary to strengthen our financial resilience and position STV for long-term growth.”