BBC Scotland has been accused of “snobbery and classism” for its decision to axe the long-running drama River City as MSPs call for a greater investment by the broadcaster in Scottish talent.
It was announced in March that River City, which has been an audience favourite since 2002 and filmed in Dumbarton, will air its final series in autumn 2026.
BBC Scotland said at the time that the decision reflected a “significant change in audience behaviour” away from long-running series and towards shorter runs.
However, BBC Scotland have been warned that the decision to axe the show will have a “disproportionately negative impact on performers in Scotland,” with industry leaders saying it will be a “killer blow” to the country’s creative industry.
On Thursday, MSPs debated a motion to save Scotland’s “only homegrown soap”, where BBC Scotland could be called to revisit its decision to axe the Soap.
SNP MSP Elena Whitham (below) warned that cancelling the show risks creating a cultural and economic vacuum.
She added: “We talk about levelling up, about decentralising opportunity, but how can we do that if we’re cutting off the very platforms that nurture regional talent… This also smacks of snobbery and classism, and we must call that out.”
Culture Secretary Angus Robertson also called for the broadcaster to protect Scotland’s creative industries and to increase its investment to enhance productions like River City.
He said: “There is clearly an abundance of passion and support for River City and the opportunities that this kind of production brings to our creative sector.
“I’ve been clear to the BBC that they must protect and increase its investment in Scotland, and enhance the network of professionals who contribute to its productions like River City.
“I expect the BBC to fully and fairly represent all communities in Scotland, and I’ll continue to advocate on behalf of License Fee payers to ensure that the Scottish industry and audiences are properly represented.”
The motion was put forward by Labour MSP Neil Bibby and has received cross-party support from MSPs including Scottish Greens Patrick Harvie, SNP’s George Adam, Scottish Labour’s Pam Duncan-Glancy and Scottish Conservative’s Pam Gosal.
Bibby (below) previously outlined that River City is often seen as a career launch pad for those in Scotland’s TV industry and said BBC Scotland’s decision to axe the show undermines the country’s ability to foster home-grown talent.
He said: “River City is not just a fixture in hundreds of thousands of Scottish homes, it is a launchpad for countless Scottish actors, screenwriters and production crews.
“Not only is the BBC ending this iconic soap, it is undermining Scotland's ability to attract the film industry and keep our best talent here in Scotland.
“The BBC should reconsider this decision and ensure River City can continue to power our brilliant cultural sector.”
BBC Scotland spokesperson: “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.”
