The Media Club · 6 February 2026 · 63 min
Scottish Media In Focus and a Rajars Special
- Scottish Media
- Radio Audience Figures (Rajars)
- STV Radio Launch
- Commissioning Slowdown
- BBC Radio Expansion
- Digital Transformation
- Independent Production
- Media Quiz
This episode of The Media Club, recorded in Glasgow, focuses on the Scottish media landscape, featuring interviews with Bobby Hain and Graham Bryce about the launch of STV Radio, and Paul Sheehan on STV Studios' expanding portfolio. The show also includes a Rajars special with Adam Bowie analysing the latest radio audience figures, discussions with Scottish indie producers Anne Claire Christie and John Willis about the commissioning slowdown and diversification, and a quiz segment. The episode covers topics such as the challenges of fragmentation, the BBC's new station plans, and the performance of various radio groups.
Key takeaways
- STV Radio launched four weeks ago, targeting 35+ audiences with Scottish-led content.
- Rajars show overall radio listening down slightly, with LBC achieving record reach.
- BBC plans to launch a new indie music stream on BBC Sounds, sparking debate about expansion.
- Scottish producers are facing a commissioning slowdown and exploring diversification, including digital and direct-to-consumer models.
- Time Team has successfully rebooted via crowdfunding and Patreon, proving a model without traditional broadcasters.
In this episode
- Introduction and Plus One Picks
- STV Radio Launch Interview
- STV Studios Interview
- Scottish Indies Interview
- Rajars Special with Adam Bowie
- Media Quiz
Notable quotes
“I think it's time for us to have something that makes us smile and just cheer us up.”
“I've been calling it the Mark Carney moment. This shit is real. You've got to get your act together.”
“I think I'll buy a wheelbarrow.”
“I think they've proven the model works quite happily without a broadcaster, frankly.”
“I think there needs to be some sort of barriers and guardrails around what the BBC can do in terms of expansion.”
Discussed
STV · STV Studios · BBC · Global · Bauer Media · News UK · Speccy Productions · The Development Network
Mentioned or recommended
- Steel
- The Muppet Show
- The Studio
- The Overlap
- Antiques Road Trip
- The Hit List
- Blue Lights
- Criminal Record
- Take the High Road
- Brookside
- The Traitors
- Highland Cops
- Saturday Night Live
- The Grand Tour
- TFI Friday
- PopMaster
- MediaMaster
- Wonder Hub
- Sundance Film Festival
- Six Nations
