STV will broadcast its final news programme from Aberdeen, ending 65 years of commercial broadcasting in the city. The decision has faced opposition from unions and politicians.
The changes include the departure of long-serving presenter Norman MacLeod, who is retiring after nearly 40 years with the company. MacLeod stated, "I've had an incredible career at STV, working alongside some truly wonderful colleagues who have made it so special. I'll miss the team enormously, but the time feels right to embark on a new adventure."
The exact format of the broadcasts moving forward is currently undisclosed, though it is understood that regional content for the north will still be included, featuring local news, sport, and a separate weather forecast. The portion of the program shown in both areas is expected to cover major stories from the north.
A source within STV described the transition as a "soft launch," with branding remaining unchanged and familiar faces, such as presenter Andrea Brymer, continuing their roles. This aims to reassure viewers that the service remains consistent with their expectations. The source also clarified that significant regional stories, including severe weather, high court cases, or major local government disputes, will still be covered, although the number of purely local stories will be reduced.
The restructuring has resulted in 30 job losses. While unions and politicians opposed the move, there were no compulsory redundancies. Mackenzie, who previously worked for the BBC, took over as editor of the 6pm programme in February 2023. STV News at Six, which is broadcast across the country, continues to be broadcast from Glasgow.