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STV Merges Aberdeen News, Cuts 30 Jobs, Veteran Leaves

7/10/2026

42 10 Full Breakdown

Summary

STV Ends News

STV will end the full-length News at Six from Aberdeen on Friday, merging northern and central news services.
Ofcom approved the change despite opposition from the Scottish government, politicians and unions.
The merger will cut about 30 jobs, prompt a one-day strike and see presenter Norman MacLeod leave after 40 years.
The new 18:00 programme will keep north-east news, sport and a separate weather forecast, with presenter Andrea Brymer remaining.

Summary

MacLeod Departs

Norman MacLeod, a Gaelic speaker from Scalpay, Harris, will depart, ending a prominent Gaelic voice in northern Scotland’s TV news.
He anchored the live 1988 Piper Alpha disaster coverage and returned for its 30-year anniversary from Aberdeen’s Rose Garden.
Observers fear STV’s Glasgow-based bulletin will drop Gaelic-language segments as the service centralises, mirroring Kenya’s Standard Media Group and Nation Media Group moves.

Summary

MacLeod Leaves

Journalist Norman MacLeod announced on social media that after 40 years he is leaving STV and will keep working in media.
Presenter Andrea Brymer will stay with STV and present the bulletin from Glasgow.
STV said the Aberdeen studio and resources in Aberdeen and Inverness will keep operating regularly despite the merger.
Russell Borthwick of the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce called the restructuring a sad day for journalism.

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STV Ends News

STV will end the full-length News at Six from Aberdeen on Friday, merging northern and central news services.
Ofcom approved the change despite opposition from the Scottish government, politicians and unions.
The merger will cut about 30 jobs, prompt a one-day strike and see presenter Norman MacLeod leave after 40 years.
The new 18:00 programme will keep north-east news, sport and a separate weather forecast, with presenter Andrea Brymer remaining.

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