STV hints at U-turn over Downton Abbey

Published on Monday 22 November 2010 14:23

IT BECAME essential viewing in England but costume drama Downton Abbey was denied to Scots viewers, where new episodes of Taggart were broadcast instead.

Now STV bosses have hinted that they may cave in to demand, saying it was "possible" Scottish viewers would get to watch Downton Abbey in the future.

At a meeting to unveil the highlights of its New Year schedule yesterday STV managing director of broadcasting and regulatory affairs Bobby Hain said: "Downton Abbey has exceeded ITV's expectations. We have no plans at the moment to take Downton Abbey - but we would never say never."

The series, which stars Dame Maggie Smith and is scripted by Oscar winning writer Julian Fellowes, has attracted huge audiences and critical acclaim south of the Border, attracting 11 million viewers in its first week.

However, the decision not to broadcast the series on STV led to widespread anger among viewers.

One disgruntled Scottish viewer writing on the Saga website complained: "STV Scotland chose not show Downton Abbey, preferring instead to show the boring and rather formulaic cop show Taggart. In common with 150,000 other Scottish viewers, I had to enter an English postcode into our Freesat box before we could watch it."

It was said the decision had been taken by STV bosses because period dramas "do not do well in Scotland". But the decision not to show the series has also been linked to a long-standing wrangle between STV and ITV over cash.

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A viewer writing on the Digital Spy website complained: "'We see the adverts in newspapers, listings guides etc and, in teeny letters those words of doom, 'not STV'."

Mr Hain said the decision to broadcast Taggart in a prime slot demonstrated the company's commitment to programmes made in Scotland.

"STV is still a very strong programme making centre. We feel it is important for us to have programmes that are made in Scotland."

As part of the Hogmanay schedule announced yesterday STV will be showing a brand new documentary Scotland Revealed in Winter - and a special prerecorded Hogmanay edition of the channel's daytime show The Hour, called The Midnight Hour, and presented by Michelle McManus and Stephen Jardine.

One of the highlights of the new year on STV will be a new two part documentary Born Fighting, which will tell the tale of the Scots and Irish who played a crucial part in the birth of the United States.The documentary, produced in partnership with the Smithsonian Channel will be presented by US Senator Jim Webb.

The channel has also commissioned a new six-part series of The Football Years which tells the story of successful years in Scottish football,

As part of its festive programming BBC Scotland yesterday announced it would be showing tributes to two of Scotland's best loved popular entertainers.

Panto star Gerard Kelly and singer Kenneth McKellar, who both died this year, will be the subjects of new documentaries.

The BBC festive line-up also includes special Christmas and New Year editions of River City and a compilation of the comedy series Gary: Tank Commander.

Sally Magnusson will introduce the Christmas Celebration from Glasgow on Christmas Eve.

BBC programmes for Hogmanay include a special edition of the Scottish football spoof Only an Excuse.

In Hogmanay Live on BBC One Scotland, Jackie Bird and Phil Cunningham will bring in the New Year with some special guests from the BBC Scotland studios at Pacific Quay.

Midnight Hour to bring in the Bells

A SPECIAL edition of the daytime show The Hour, featuring Michelle McManus and Stephen Jardine, will be the centrepiece of the Hogmanay Celebrations on STV this year.

But STV viewers will be watching a pre-recorded version of the bells, STV admitted yesterday.

By contrast viewers tuning in to BBC Scotland will be able to watch Hogmanay Live, presented by Jackie Bird and Phil Cunningham from Pacific Quay in Glasgow. The full line up of BBC programmes has yet to be announced.

The STV Hogmanay line up includes a special comedians edition of Postcode Challenge, featuring Craig Hill, Des McLean, Janey Godley, Ava Vidal and John Moloney.

The popular quiz will be followed by Scotland Revealed in Winter, in which Vanessa Collingridge takes viewers on a tour of Scotland in a documentary which shows the effect on the landscape of snow and ice.

There's more comedy on STV in the run up to midnight with a selection of the best sketches from the new Scottish sketch show /Comedy.

Elizabeth Partyka, STV's Channel Controller, said: "We'll bring our viewers a great mix of comedy, entertainment and stunning scenery to see in the New Year."