Today, MSPs debated BBC Scotland’s decision to end River City and close its Dumbarton studios. The motion (full text below) was put forward by Neil Bibby MSP, Scottish Labour’s Culture spokesperson, and supported by Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour Deputy Leader and MSP for Dumbarton where River City is filmed.
It received cross-party support, with Elena Whitham (SNP), Pam Gosal (Scottish Conservative), Patrick Harvie (Scottish Green) George Adam (SNP), and Pam Duncan-Glancy (Scottish Labour) also speaking for the motion. This was watched by members of the River City cast alongside fellow members of Equity, the performing arts and entertainment trade union, from the public gallery.
Elena Whitham MSP (SNP) said: “Cancelling this show risks creating a cultural vacuum, and an economic one too. 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.”
The Scottish Government’s response to the debate came from Culture Secretary Angus Robertson, who 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.”
You can watch the debate in full here (from: 12:26:44)
Prior to the debate, Equity members joined supportive MSPs for a photocall outside the Scottish Parliament.
We are attending the Scottish Parliament because we care deeply about the production and all the people who work on it. Training, pathways, and opportunities will be lost for many people. 72 trainees have come through River City in the last two and a half years. How will that be replaced? And most of all, for our audience, people who love the show, what about them? That's why we must be there, to ask BBC Scotland to reverse this decision before it's too late.
Stephen Purdon, Equity member and River City cast member (playing Bob Adams).
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.
Neil Bibby, Scottish Labour’s Culture spokesperson and MSP for West Scotland.
River City has put Dumbarton on the map for TV and film talent while creating jobs and opportunities in everything from catering to directing. The announcement of its closure has sent shockwaves through my constituency — I urge the BBC to save River City, and commit to its Dumbarton studio site so that more shows can be Made in Scotland not less.
Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour Deputy Leader MSP for Dumbarton, where River City is filmed.
Background
Equity has been campaigning to Save River City since BBC Scotland announced its plan to close Scotland’s only domestic TV soap on 18 March this year, with the final episode set to air on September 2026.
A petition set up by Equity to oppose BBC Scotland’s decision has so far attracted almost 12,000 signatures.
Equity is the performing arts and entertainment trade union, made up of 50,000 performers and creative practitioners. We are actors, comedians, dancers, designers, directors, puppeteers, singers, stage managers, variety performers and voice artists.
MOTION FULL TEXT
Members' Business — S6M-16978, lodged by Neil Bibby, supported by Jackie Baillie: BBC Scotland's Decision to End River City and Close its Dumbarton Studios
That the Parliament notes with regret the reported decision by BBC Scotland to end the programme, River City, which it understands is Scotland’s only homegrown soap; believes that this will have a disproportionately negative impact on performers in Scotland, many of whom, it understands, get their first TV job on River City, as well as on the wider Scottish production landscape; considers that the reported £9 million annual budget for the show is excellent value for money, given the hours of programming produced throughout the year for what it sees as a successful show, which, it understands, attracts a regular audience of 500,000 per episode, outperforming other TV series by more than two and a half times*; believes that 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; notes what it sees as BBC Scotland’s failure to inform the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee of its reported plans to close the BBC studios in Dumbarton and end River City in its annual report to the Parliament in January 2025; further notes the calls for BBC Scotland to recognise its public broadcasting duty and explain how its current proposals to replace River City will provide the same good jobs, training and apprenticeships currently available at the BBC’s Dumbarton studios to performers and crew in Scotland, and ensure that the reported £9 million budget will be spent on Scottish drama; considers the BBC's Dumbarton studios to be an important asset, which has been used for a number of other productions, including Vigil and Shetland; understands that the owner of the studios site is open to renewing the lease, and notes the calls, in light of this, for BBC Scotland to revisit its reported decision to end River City and close its Dumbarton studios.
*BBC Scotland have reported that the regular audience figure is now 200,000 per episode
