A MOTION to save Scotland’s “only homegrown soap”, River City, from cancellation will be heard in Holyrood.
If approved, MSPs could potentially call for BBC Scotland to revisit its decision to end the long-running show.
More than a hundred figures have already signed a letter to save the show, including former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, novelist Irvine Welsh, actors Peter Mullan and Elaine C Smith and major players in Scottish showbusiness.
Ministers will discuss the cancellation of the beloved and gritty Glaswegian drama series on Thursday.
The show has been on air since 2002, described by the BBC as a “drama series set in a close-knit Glasgow community”.
The channel announced plans last month to end the drama series due to “declining audience figures”. Production is currently set to cease in autumn 2026.
The motion from Labour MSP Neil Bibby (West Scotland) asks parliament to “note with regret” the BBC’s decision to end the programme.
Bibby believes that the end of the show and the accompanying closure of BBC Scotland’s Dumbarton Studios “will have a disproportionately negative impact on performers in Scotland”.
If approved, his motion would also see Holyrood urge the BBC to “ensure that the reported £9m budget will be spent on Scottish drama” and revisit the decision to close its Dumbarton studios.
“The Glasgow-based show is well loved by Scottish audiences and enjoys strong ratings, with it winning Best Drama at the Royal Television Society Scotland 2023 awards for its 20th anniversary episode,” Bibby’s motion reads.
Bibby has also argued that the show still attracts a regular audience of 500,000 per episode, “outperforming other TV series by more than two and a half times”.
“The show is excellent value for money, given the hours of programming produced throughout the year for what [MSPs] see as a successful show,” Bibby’s motion said.
The motion has already gathered significant support from MSPs across the political spectrum.
Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie, who has previously pledged to “strain every sinew to save the show and support Scottish talent”, supported the motion alongside 15 other Labour MSPs.
13 SNP MSPs have already supported the motion along with five Green MSPs – including party co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater.
Tory MSP Sandesh Gulhane and one independent MSP John Mason have also signed their names to the motion.
The motion to save River City will be heard in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday afternoon.
