INDUSTRY leaders and trade unions are calling for River City to be saved after it was announced the flagship Scottish show would be axed by the BBC.
BBC Scotland announced on Tuesday that the long-running soap would come to an end in autumn 2026 after more than 20 years on screen.
The BBC said it had reflected on a "significant change in audience behaviour" away from long-running series and towards shorter runs.
The chief executive of Directors UK Andy Harrower said the group will "hold the BBC to account on this".
"This is going to be a killer blow to our members based in Scotland, for whom the last couple of years have been really challenging in terms of having enough work to sustain a living," Harrower said.
Equity, the performing arts and entertainment trade union, called on BBC Scotland to rethink the plans to cut the hugely popular Glasgow-based show.
The union called the move "short-sighted" and a "disaster for Scottish television", which would disproportionately affect Scottish performers and the wider Scottish to production landscape.
Paul Fleming, Equity general secretary, called for the £9 million invested in River City to be ringfenced for continuing drama specifically and not replaced with "cheaper production content which doesn’t offer similar acting, creative and production jobs".
“This short-sighted move from BBC Scotland would be a disaster for Scottish television. River City is a well-loved staple of tv schedules. It’s a successful Scottish production which should be celebrated, not decimated," Fleming said.
He went on: “Axing River City would have a devastating effect on acting and production roles for Scottish talent. There is simply no equivalent to a regular soap for getting your foot in the door of this notoriously cutthroat industry, especially for the many aspiring actors from working class backgrounds. The regular opportunities and wages simply do not exist in other show formats.
“BBC Scotland must rethink this move and take action to safeguard investment in domestic Scottish continuing drama.”
Philippa Childs, the head of broadcasting union Bectu, called the end of River City “incredibly disheartening”.
“The loss of such a long-running production is devastating for the workers impacted and for the local industry,” she said. “The production served as a training ground for industry talent and provided important work opportunities for TV crew in Scotland.
“It’s hugely disappointing to see creative jobs lost in Scotland, a place which reflects the fantastic diversity the BBC should be representing. Many of those who work on River City are freelancers, for whom this news will be a particular blow given the ongoing uncertainty in the UK’s production sector and precarious employment prospects.”
“Bectu will fully engage with the BBC over these changes and we will be encouraging the BBC to consider how they can replace lost work with high quality jobs.”
A Screen Scotland spokesperson said they welcomed the news that the money spent on River City would be spent on other Scottish productions, adding: "By supporting Scotland-based creative origination, we expect this new slate will bring high-value career progression opportunities for established Scottish talent and crews.”
Scottish Labour MSP and culture spokesperson for the party Neil Bibby said the BBC must "explain the rationale for this decision".
“River City is an iconic and popular show. It is deeply disappointing news for the actors, production crew and many viewers that BBC Scotland is planning to axe the show after over 20 years of success," Bibby said.
“The public service broadcaster must be fully transparent and explain the rationale for this decision. It is very concerning that an apparent lack of planning in relation to studio space may have contributed to this detrimental decision.
“River City has provided a vital platform for many Scottish actors and a pipeline of talent to the wider the television and film industry.
“Everything that can be done should be done to the save the show and ensure Scotland has a soap opera drama.
“Even if this decision goes ahead it is essential that the £9 million budget for the show is ringfenced for the production of Scottish drama to protect the jobs of actors and production crew and provide entertainment for Scottish viewers.”
