A CAMPAIGN to save the BBC Scotland show River City has been backed by multiple MSPs from across political parties, including Culture Secretary Angus Robertson.
The campaign, orgainsed by the performing arts and entertainment trade union Equity, comes after BBC Scotland announced last week that River City would come to an end in autumn 2026 after more than 20 years on screen.
Since it was launched, the campaign has been backed by MSPs from across political parties, including Robertson, who attended a meeting with union members on Monday.
Labour MSPs Jackie Baillie, Neil Bibby, and Pam Duncan-Glancy have also pledged their support as they all visited the set of the Glasgow-based soap and signed placards which read: “I back the Save River City campaign."
At the meeting on Monday, the Culture Secretary voiced his worries over BBC Scotland’s plans to axe the 22-year old soap, as he said later on social media: “I share the concerns of many in the screen sector about recent TV commissioning for Scotland, including ending River City.
“Thanks for the opportunity to speak at the national @EquityUK meeting in Glasgow and will be working closely to ensure no detriment to the sector in Scotland. "
He added: “Last week BBC Scotland announced the cancellation of River City after providing more than 20 years of essential opportunities for Scottish talent. Three new drama projects have been confirmed, two of which will be made by London production companies.”
The campaign comes after an Equity petition calling on BBC Scotland to Save River City surpassed 10,000 signatures since its launch last week.
Equity general secretary Paul W Fleming said the decision to close Scotland’s only soap would be “devastating” for local talent.
He added that he wants to see River City’s budget ring-fenced for other Scottish programmes in an effort to retain some of the jobs lost when the soap ends.
He said: “It was important to be on-set with our River City members this week and hear directly about the impact that losing this show would have on training, acting and creative opportunities in Scotland.
“River City is the only Scottish soap, so its closure would be devastating for local talent. Equity will continue to campaign and lobby to Save River City, and demand that the show’s £9 million annual budget be ring-fenced for continuing drama in Scotland.”
Jackie Baillie, the Labour MSP for Dumbarton, where River City’s studios are based, said: “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.”
BBC Scotland spokesperson: “As we outlined last week, 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. The Dumbarton lease coming to an end next year is not the reason River City will cease in September 2026 – the overriding factor has been an audience driven one.
“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.”
