BBC Scotland could lose some of its most familiar presenters and potentially see its television channel scrapped as part of a major cost-cutting programme, a former senior journalist has warned.
Douglas Fraser, who served as the broadcaster’s business and economy editor before departing in March, claims the number of senior presenters is set to fall from nine to seven.
According to Mr Fraser, that reduction could force several of BBC Scotland’s best-known on-air personalities to compete directly for the remaining positions.
The claims come after the departure of Anne McAlpine, one of the station’s most recognisable presenters, who left the BBC last week.
Writing on Substack, Mr Fraser said those facing uncertainty included Martin Geissler, radio presenters Gary Robertson and Hayley Millar, Fiona Stalker, and Laura Goodwin, Laura Maciver, Laura Maxwell and Laura Miller. He also named BBC Hogmanay presenter Amy Irons, who announced her pregnancy earlier today.
The changes form part of a wider BBC efficiency drive expected to eliminate about 2,000 roles, or roughly 10 per cent of the corporation’s workforce. Around 60 posts are reportedly at risk in Scotland.
“Where I used to work, BBC Scotland, around 60 jobs are to go,” Mr Fraser wrote. “Uncertainty is high: morale is low.”
He said BBC Scotland head of news Howard Simpson was asking the organisation’s highest-profile presenters to compete for their positions, adding: “Nine people are senior presenters at present. When the music stops, there will be seven seats left.”
Douglas Fraser, BBC Scotland’s former business and economics editor, has raised concerns about the broadcaster’s planned cuts
Ms McAlpine, known for presenting Landward, BBC Alba and Reporting Scotland, left BBC Scotland last week after 14 years. Her departure was linked to the broadcaster’s cost-saving measures.
She is expected to continue working with the BBC on a freelance basis, including as the voice of Scotland’s Home Of The Year.
In a statement, Ms McAlpine said she was leaving her permanent position “with a huge amount of gratitude” for the people, friendships, experiences and memories that had shaped her time at the broadcaster.
She described her 14-year career as varied, taking her from Eòrpa and An Là to Reporting Scotland and Landward, while covering elections, politics, sport, culture and rural affairs. Her work also took her to locations including Chernobyl and the Calais jungle camp.
Ms McAlpine thanked her colleagues, contributors and viewers, saying she had enjoyed the experience and was looking forward to whatever comes next.
The future of the BBC Scotland digital television channel has also been questioned. Mr Fraser is the latest commentator to suggest it could be closed or made online-only, potentially following a similar path to BBC Three.
He argued that Pacific Quay executives could have attracted more younger viewers through stronger marketing and promotion. Instead, he suggested that complacency or overconfidence may have contributed to the channel’s difficulties.
“BBC3 TV, aimed at younger adults, has moved from mainstream TV to online and back,” he wrote. “Although a testbed for new programme ideas, it looks vulnerable once more. And it’s hard not to see the BBC Scotland channel in a similar light.”
Reporter and presenter Anne McAlpine has already departed BBC Scotland
Mr Fraser also warned that the BBC could alienate existing viewers by attempting to imitate commercial broadcasters in its approach to television and radio news, arguing that those rivals already perform that style more effectively.
He added that efforts to reach audiences who are currently difficult to engage, particularly younger people, might ultimately prove unsuccessful.
‘They didn’t grow up with scheduled programmes on linear channels. Why would they seek out BBC programming now?
‘They might do so if BBC Scotland were any good at marketing and promoting what it does. But there’s complacency about that. Perhaps it’s arrogance.
‘I tried to change it, and failed.’
A BBC Scotland spokesman said it would not comment on ‘speculation’, adding: ‘BBC Scotland is making proportionate savings and a review across all of our departments is ongoing as part of the process.’
