Veteran broadcaster Ponsonby says STV doesn’t ‘have a future’ after job cuts

A long-serving former STV broadcaster has said he does not think the station “has a future” after job cuts were announced.

Bernard Ponsonby, the station’s former political editor who retired after 34 years with STV in 2024, was speaking on his podcast, Ponsonby and Massie, alongside political journalist Alex Massie.

He said: “I’m just going to say what I think on this and it’s all rather depressing, given that it’s a company I had an association with for 34 years. I don’t think STV has a future, simple as that.”

His comments come as STV announced it would cut 60 jobs and axe its north of Scotland television news programme.

The broadcaster said it was looking for £2.5 million of savings by next year, after announcing a £200,000 loss in the first six months of 2025.

The announcement came after advertising revenue fell to £45 million compared to £50 million in the same period last year.

Ponsonby said: “I think that the 60 job losses which the company are seeking at the moment is only the thin end of a wedge. It’s caught in an unbelievably bad financial storm.

“So, you have the perfect storm. Your turnover is down. Your profits are down. Your advertising from linear advertising is down, and your ability to make money from making programmes for other broadcasters is down as well.”

Ponsonby shared his predictions for the future of the company as Clive Whiley was announced to take over as chairman in the new year.

Ponsonby said: “They’re going to have a new chairman at the turn of the year, someone who specialises in turning around distressed businesses and, if I had to look ahead, I would say that the three million pounds of savings is just the start, the 60 job losses is just the start.”

The current plans require permission from the regulator Ofcom and a consultation is expected to begin shortly.