BBC sparks revolt as axed soap stars protest cancellation of River City: ‘Short-sighted and regressive!’
Growing opposition is mounting against BBC Scotland’s decision to end the long-running soap River City in autumn 2026 after more than 20 years on screen.
The broadcaster announced last week that it would redirect the soap’s funding into three new series – Counsels, Grams, and The Young Team.
The move has sparked criticism from industry bodies, creative unions and politicians.
Cast members have joined forces with MSPs in a protest campaign to save the show from cancellation.
Fans have also launched an online petition in an effort to reverse the decision.
BBC Scotland has cited “changing audience habits and declining viewing figures” as the primary reason for ending the Dumbarton-based drama.
The broadcaster claims the decision is “creative” rather than financial, promising to increase its drama spending.
The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) has demanded that BBC Scotland explain how it plans to replace the jobs, apprenticeships and training opportunities at the Dumbarton-based studio.
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River City is an iconic show that platforms Scottish actors while supporting Scotland’s film and TV industry.
The BBC must change its mind and we will strain every sinew to save the show and support Scottish talent. pic.twitter.com/8XAmOsojt5
— Jackie Baillie (@jackiebmsp) March 25, 2025
STUC general secretary Roz Foyer told The National: “This decision from the BBC is short-sighted, regressive and needlessly throws creative workers into completely avoidable precarity.”
She urged the broadcaster to clarify “without equivocation” how they will replace the dozens of jobs and training opportunities currently offered to workers across Scotland.
Foyer emphasised that representation matters, particularly for working-class communities.
“It’s inexplicable that a state-owned broadcaster would halt production on a show that represents the very communities that make up so much of the UK,” she said.
She added that Scotland “can be a leading light in production and the creative arts” and expected the BBC to “fund, not cut, that vision.”
Peter Strachan, who sits on the board of trade body Directors UK, has criticised BBC Scotland’s commitment to Scottish off-screen talent.
He accused the broadcaster of choosing London-based companies and crew over homegrown workers.
Strachan claimed that “very little” senior talent has been hired on Scottish dramas like Vigil, Granite Harbour and Shetland.
He has joined calls for BBC Scotland to provide guarantees about jobs and career pipelines.
When approached by GB News, a BBC Scotland spokesperson stated: “The decision to end River City is a creative one driven by changing audience habits and declining viewing figures.
“Audience patterns have shifted away from long-running serials to short-run dramas so that is where we will be moving our drama investment. This is about value for money for the audience. We are not cutting our drama spend in Scotland – in fact, we will increase it to around £95m over the next three years.
“River City training opportunities will remain active for another year until we cease production in April 2026.
“We are actively working with BBC colleagues, the independent companies making our newly announced dramas and others in the industry on future training opportunities.
“Our new dramas are written by Scottish writers, they will employ a wide range of Scottish-based talent and will be made by producers with bases in Scotland – just like River City.”