2014 in Scottish television

none May 2025 2014 Scottish television This is a list of events in Scottish television from 2014. Events January 5 January – Speaking on an edition of BBC One's The Andrew Marr Show, Prime Minister David Cameron declines an invitation from Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond to take part in a televised debate on Scottish independence ahead of September's referendum on the issue.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-25607826 BBC News Scottish independence: Cameron again rejects Salmond TV debate challenge 5 January 2014 5 January 2014 5 January – Figures released by TV Licensing Scotland indicate that just over 700 homes in Scotland continue to purchase black-and-white television licences, 230 of them in Glasgow.Piper Laura http://edinburgh.stv.tv/articles/259132-top-ten-black-and-white-television-towns-in-scotland/?fromstreampost=53641 Top ten black and white television towns in Scotland STV News STV 5 January 2014 5 January 2014 10 January – BBC Alba debuts Bean a' Mhinisteir (The Minister's Wife), a six-part reality television programme about the wives of Church of Scotland ministers.http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/tv-radio/scottish-church-ministers-wives-set-2998953 Scottish church ministers' wives set to star in new reality television series Daily Record 8 January 2014 12 January 2014 21 January – Writing in the Daily Record, MSP Joan McAlpine urges television bosses to act to ensure more balanced broadcasting, after an academic study found that news reports tend to favour the pro-union argument in the Scottish independence debate.http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/joan-mcalpine-tv-bosses-must-3042339 Joan McAlpine TV bosses must act on findings of study that show indy coverage isn't the balanced affair it should be Daily Record 21 January 2014 26 January 2014 29 January – A safety advert for Cycling Scotland is banned by the Advertising Standards Authority for showing a rider without a helmet.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-25926572 BBC News Cycling Scotland advert banned over 'no helmet' 29 January 2014 2 February 2014 30 January – The Scottish Football Association agrees a new four-year deal with Sky Sports to show its matches in the UK and Ireland.http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/scottish-football-association-announces-new-3093134 Scottish Football Association announces new four-season television deal with Sky Daily Record 30 January 2014 2 February 2014 February 3 February – The Law Society of Scotland says it is in favour of allowing cameras into Scottish Courts, and suggests adopting the format used by New Zealand, where filming is left to the Judge's discretion.http://news.stv.tv/scotland/262714-solicitors-in-favour-of-allowing-television-cameras-into-courts/ Solicitors in favour of allowing television cameras into courts STV News STV 3 February 2014 3 February 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140221154654/http://news.stv.tv/scotland/262714-solicitors-in-favour-of-allowing-television-cameras-into-courts/ 2014-02-21 dead 5 February – The BBC confirms that Sarah Smith will join BBC Scotland to present Scotland 2014, a 30-minute weeknight studio programme about the independence referendum.https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2014/sarah-smith.html https://web.archive.org/web/20150925073217/http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2014/sarah-smith.html dead 25 September 2015 BBC Media Centre Sarah Smith joins BBC News 5 February 2014 11 March 2014 The programme replaces Newsnight Scotland from May, which will not return once Scotland 2014 ends in October.Cramb Auslan https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/scottish-politics/10623182/Scottish-independence-journalist-Sarah-Smith-hits-back-at-accusations-of-BBC-referendum-bias.html Scottish independence: journalist Sarah Smith hits back at accusations of BBC referendum bias The Daily Telegraph 6 February 2014 11 February 2014 6 February – Sarah Smith criticises Twitter users who have accused her of anti-independence bias following the previous day's announcement of her new presenting role. 17 February – Debut of The Street, a documentary about Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street. The programme has caused controversy before going on air because it contains scenes involving racist behaviour, and scantily-clad women.Christison Greg http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/460024/Street-of-shame-BBC-blasted-over-new-documentary-showing-racist-attack-on-busker Street of shame: BBC blasted over new documentary showing racist attack on busker Sunday Express Northern and Shell 16 February 2014 11 March 2014 19 February – STV journalist Peter Smith is named Young Talent of the Year by the Royal Television Society for an investigation into boardroom practices at Glasgow Rangers.Stephen Daisley http://news.stv.tv/scotland/264788-peter-smith-wins-rts-award-for-scotland-tonight-rangers-report/ Peter Smith wins RTS award for Scotland Tonight Rangers report STV News 20 February 2014 27 February 2014 22 February – BBC Alba is forced to delay the broadcast of Ross County's match with St Mirren because of the amount of swearing that could be heard from supporters. Transmission of the matchscheduled for 17:30is delayed until the post-watershed time of 22.55.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-26313500 BBC News Swearing causes TV football delay 23 February 2014 23 February 2014 25 February – Scotland Tonight airs a referendum debate featuring Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont.http://news.stv.tv/politics/263966-scotland-tonight-nicola-sturgeon-and-johann-lamont-to-debate-referendum/ Scotland Tonight: Nicola Sturgeon and Johann Lamont to debate referendum STV News 13 February 2014 13 February 2014 23 February 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140223010326/http://news.stv.tv/politics/263966-scotland-tonight-nicola-sturgeon-and-johann-lamont-to-debate-referendum/ dead Lesley Riddoch, writing in The Sunday Post later describes the debate as a "shambles" because of its argumentative nature, and because presenter Rona Dougall was not an effective chair.Lesley Riddoch http://www.sundaypost.com/news-views/politics/holyrood/independence-television-shambles-was-just-sad-for-scotland-1.247737 Independence television shambles was just sad for Scotland The Sunday Post 2 March 2014 2 March 2014 26 February – Speaking at the Oxford Media Conference, Maria Miller, the UK's Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport says Scotland will lose the BBC if it votes for independence in September.John Plunkett https://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/feb/26/maria-miller-independent-scotland-lose-bbc Maria Miller says independent Scotland would lose the BBC The Guardian 26 February 2014 27 February 2014 February – STV's The Nightshift once again becomes a seven-days-a-week programme, but only for four months when in June it reverts to being shown on four nights each week. March 7 March – Ministers in the Westminster Government are considering decriminalising non-payment of the TV licence, making it a civil offence instead, the Daily Telegraph reports.Ross Tim https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/10684639/Dodging-TV-licence-will-not-be-a-crime.html Dodging TV licence will not be a crime The Daily Telegraph 7 March 2014 8 March 2014Lewis Smith Lewis Smith More articles from this journalist https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/plan-to-make-nonpayment-of-tv-licence-a-civil-offence-9177874.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/plan-to-make-nonpayment-of-tv-licence-a-civil-offence-9177874.html 1 May 2022 subscription live Plan to make non-payment of TV licence a civil offence The Independent 7 March 2014 8 March 2014 7 March – Research by TV Licensing indicates that children in Scotland still prefer to watch their favourite programmes on television despite technology making shows available through other media.http://news.stv.tv/scotland/266481-tv-survey-finds-children-still-enjoy-watching-programmes-on-the-box/ TV survey finds children still enjoy watching programmes on the box STV News 7 March 2014 9 March 2014 April 2 April – The BBC confirms that its school drama, Waterloo Road will end in 2015, following the conclusion of series 10.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-26849461 BBC News Waterloo Road to close doors in 2015 2 April 2014 2 April 2014 19 April – STV leaves the Confederation of British Industry after it backed the campaign against Scottish independence, saying that partiality rules meant it had no choice.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27089800 BBC News Scottish independence: STV quits CBI over referendum stance 19 April 2014 8 May 2014 23 April – STV reports a 5% increase in revenue over the first quarter of 2014.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27124718 BBC News Broadcaster STV reports strong start to year 23 April 2014 8 May 2014 28 April – STV HD launches on Sky+ HD and Freesat.http://news.stv.tv/scotland/269430-stv-announces-its-hd-channel-to-be-on-satellite-from-end-of-april/ STV announces its HD channel to be on satellite from end of April STV News 26 March 2014 29 March 2014 4 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045402/http://news.stv.tv/scotland/269430-stv-announces-its-hd-channel-to-be-on-satellite-from-end-of-april/ dead May 7 May – STV hires BBC producer Sarah Brown to be its head of drama.Kanter Jake http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/people/bbc-drama-producer-sarah-brown-joins-stv/5071382.article BBC drama producer Sarah Brown joins Broadcast 7 May 2014 8 May 2014Mackie Gareth http://www.scotsman.com/business/media-tech-leisure/stv-hires-bbc-veteran-sarah-brown-as-head-of-drama-1-3402286 STV hires BBC veteran Sarah Brown as head of drama The Scotsman 8 May 2014 8 May 2014 22 May – The final edition of Newsnight Scotland is broadcast on BBC Two Scotland.https://www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p00fzl9b/2014/05/22 BBC Two Scotland – Schedules, Thursday 22 May 2014 BBC 18 November 2018 June 2 June – Launch of STV Glasgow.http://shows.stv.tv/talk-tv/274531-storm-huntley-and-colin-stone-announced-for-riverside-show-on-stv-glasgow/ Storm Huntley and Colin Stone announced for Riverside Show on STV Glasgow STV 8 May 2014 8 May 2014 12 June – Addressing the Better Together Campaign, the cross-party group arguing for Scotland to stay as part of the United Kingdom in the forthcoming referendum, former Prime Minister Gordon Brown says that plans for a state-funded Scottish Broadcasting Service in an independent Scotland would require a significantly higher TV licence fee to enable it to produce the same quantity of programming currently put out by the BBC.Simon Johnson https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/10896354/Gordon-Brown-warns-an-independent-Scotland-faces-higher-TV-licence-fee.html Gordon Brown warns an independent Scotland faces higher TV licence fee The Daily Telegraph 12 June 2014 27 June 2015 22 June – First Minister Alex Salmond agrees to take part in a televised debate on independence with head of the Better Together campaign, Alistair Darling, which will be aired by STV.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27962991 BBC News Scottish independence: Salmond and Darling TV debate confirmed 22 June 2014 23 June 2014 23 June – The BBC announces its largest ever political debate ahead of the referendum. 12,000 first time voters will gather at Glasgow's SSE Hydro for a BBC One debate on independence on 11 September.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27966132 BBC News Scottish independence: Plans announced for Scotland's 'biggest ever debate' 23 June 2014 23 June 2014 29 June – Hundreds of demonstrators gather outside BBC Scotland's Pacific Quay studios in Glasgow to protest at what they perceive to be the corporation's pro-union bias.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28079812 BBC News Scottish independence: Hundreds protest over 'BBC bias' 29 June 2014 30 June 2014 August 5 August – Alex Salmond and Alistair Darling take part in a televised debate on Scottish independence held by STV at Glasgow's Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-28649354 BBC News Scottish independence: Salmond and Darling clash in TV debate 5 August 2014 5 August 2014 The debate is streamed live online through STV Player, but viewers outside Scotland report encountering problems trying to watch the feed.Kashmira Gander https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/scottish-independence/scottish-independence-stv-live-stream-of-debate-fails-meaning-potential-viewers-outside-scotland-cannot-watch-9650420.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/scottish-independence/scottish-independence-stv-live-stream-of-debate-fails-meaning-potential-viewers-outside-scotland-cannot-watch-9650420.html 1 May 2022 subscription live Scottish independence: STV live stream of debate fails, meaning potential viewers outside Scotland cannot watch The Independent 5 August 2014 5 August 2014 19 August – Writing in The Guardian, former BBC Director General John Birt writes of the "devastating" impact he feels a Yes vote in the forthcoming Scottish independence referendum would have on the BBC, and that Scottish viewers would have to pay to receive BBC services.https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/aug/19/scottish-independence-bbc-scotland-income Scottish independence would have a devastating impact on the BBC John Birt The Guardian 19 August 2014 21 August 2014 His views are echoed in a speech the following day by Margaret Curran, the Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28863806 BBC News Scottish independence: 'Yes' vote 'would devastate' broadcasting 20 August 2014 21 August 2014 21 August – The Iain Banks novel Stonemouth is to be adapted into a two part television drama for BBC Scotland in a joint project between the broadcaster and production company Slate North.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-28881411 BBC News Iain Banks' novel Stonemouth to be dramatised by the BBC for UK audience 21 August 2014 21 August 2014 25 August – BBC One Scotland airs a second televised debate on Scottish independence, featuring Alex Salmond and Alistair Darling.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28780811 Scottish independence: BBC confirms Salmond-Darling debate BBC News 13 August 2014 13 August 2014https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28934691 BBC News Scottish independence: Alex Salmond claims 'momentum' after TV debate 26 August 2014 27 August 2014 September 11 September – First Minister Alex Salmond is involved in a heated exchange with BBC journalist Nick Robinson during a referendum press conference in Edinburgh after Salmond accuses the Treasury of leaking market sensitive information outside of trading hours. Robinson had reported plans by The Royal Bank of Scotland to relocate to England in the event of a Yes vote the previous evening, causing some overnight negative market reaction in Asia, and prompting the First Minister to call for an investigation into the source of the leak, which he felt the BBC should co-operate with. An official announcement from the bank was due to be made at 7.00 am on 11 September.https://www.theguardian.com/politics/video/2014/sep/11/alex-salmond-heckled-bbc-reporter-nick-robinson-scotland-independence-rbs-video Alex Salmond heckled by BBC reporter – video The Guardian 11 September 2014 12 September 2014http://www.itv.com/news/update/2014-09-11/salmond-shouts-down-heckles-from-bbcs-robinson/ Salmond claims journalist 'heckled' him at conference ITV News 11 September 2014 14 September 2014https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-29185319 Robert Peston Treasury briefed RBS move before board decision BBC News 12 September 2014 13 September 2014Mason Rowena Carrell Severin https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/12/scottish-independence-rbs-leak-claim-cabinet-secretary-alex-salmond RBS leak claim: cabinet secretary hits back at Alex Salmond The Guardian 12 September 2014 14 September 2014 11 September – BBC One airs Scotland Decides: The Big, Big Debate in which 16 and 17-year-old first time voters are given the opportunity to quiz a Question Time-style panel of politicians about issues surrounding the Independence referendum.Green Chris https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/scottish-independence/scottish-independence-bored-teenagers-at-bbcs-big-big-debate-take-to-twitter-mostly-to-complain--or-look-for-boyfriends-9727617.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/scottish-independence/scottish-independence-bored-teenagers-at-bbcs-big-big-debate-take-to-twitter-mostly-to-complain--or-look-for-boyfriends-9727617.html 1 May 2022 subscription Scottish independence: Bored teenagers at BBC's Big Big Debate take to Twitter mostly to complain – or look for boyfriends The Independent Independent Print Limited 12 September 2014 12 September 2014McDowall Julie http://www.heraldscotland.com/arts-ents/tv-radio/tv-review-the-big-big-debate.1410471562 TV review: The Big, Big Debate The Herald 12 September 2014 12 September 2014 subscription 14 September – Demonstrators gather outside BBC Scotland's Glasgow headquarters to protest against what they perceive to be the BBC's anti-independence bias.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-29196912 Scottish independence: Crowd protests against 'BBC bias' BBC News 14 September 2014 14 December 2014 16 September – Two days before the independence referendum, BBC One airs Scotland Decides: The Dimbleby Interviews in which David Dimbleby conducts an in-depth interview with Gordon Brown for the No campaign and Alex Salmond for the Yes campaign.McDowall Julie http://www.heraldscotland.com/arts-ents/tv-radio/tv-review-dimbleby-takes-on-salmond-and-brown.1410903546 TV review: Dimbleby takes on Salmond and Brown The Herald 16 September 2014 17 September 2014 subscription 18–19 September – The BBC, ITV and Sky News provide coverage of the results of the Scottish independence referendum as the results are counted overnight. Shortly after 5.00 am, it is announced that Scotland has voted to reject secession from the United Kingdom.Plunkett John https://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/sep/19/broadcast-media-covered-scottish-referendum-results-sky-bbc Scottish referendum: how broadcast media covered results The Guardian 19 September 2014 19 September 2014 October 12 October – Jackie Bird celebrates 25 years of working on Reporting Scotland.Louise Sayers https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-29570930 Jackie Bird: Celebrating 25 Years at Reporting Scotland BBC News 12 October 2014 3 March 2015 November 18 November – Ofcom rules that STV was in breach of broadcasting rules after airing a repeat edition of Scotland Tonight discussing the independence referendum on the day the vote was being held.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-30098805 STV 'breached broadcasting rules' on referendum day BBC News 18 November 2014 18 November 2014 Debuts BBC 10 January – Bean a' Mhinisteir (The Minister's Wife) on BBC Alba 30 January – The Stuarts on BBC TwoRoss Jamie https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-25727463 BBC News Scottish independence: Experts say separate coronation may be necessary 27 January 2014 16 February 2014 17 February – The Street on BBC One 27 May – Scotland 2014 on BBC Two 27 October – Scot Squad on BBC TwoNew improvised BBC Scotland comedy Scot Squad https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/film-and-tv/new-improvised-bbc-scotland-comedy-scot-squad-2480988 The Scotsman 20 November 2021 en STV 17 March – The WidowerEnglish Paul http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/tv-radio/reece-shearsmith-playing-wife-killer-3214179 Reece Shearsmith on playing wife killer Malcolm Webster in new STV drama The Widower Daily Record 6 March 2014 8 March 2014 31 March – The Liehttp://entertainment.stv.tv/tv/269630-the-lie-susan-calman-admits-couples-were-at-loggerheads-on-stv-quiz-show/ The Lie: Susan Calman admits couples were at loggerheads on STV quiz show STV Entertainment 27 March 2014 29 March 2014 7 May – Billy Connolly's Big Send Offhttp://shows.stv.tv/talk-tv/274279-billy-connollys-death-documentary-big-send-off-tonight-on-stv/ Billy Connolly's death documentary Big Send Off tonight on STV STV 7 May 2014 8 May 2014 Television series Reporting Scotland (1968–1983; 1984–present) Sportscene (1975–present)Sportscene at 50: Famous faces back for anniversary https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c99mpvzl71ko BBC Sport 20 August 2025 6 August 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250811222945/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c99mpvzl71ko 11 August 2025 live Public Account (1976–present) The Beechgrove Garden (1978–present) Only an Excuse? (1993–2020)Hogmanay favourite Only an Excuse says cheerio. What did you think? https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18979762.excuse-bbc1-scotland-review/ The Herald Glasgow 4 November 2021 en River City (2002–2026) The Adventure Show (2005–present) Trusadh (2008–present) STV Rugby (2009–2010; 2011–present) Gary: Tank Commander (2009–present) Sport Nation (2009–present) STV News at Six (2009–present) The Nightshift (2010–present) Scotland Tonight (2011–present) Shetland (2013–present) Ending this year 22 May – Newsnight Scotland (1999) Deaths 14 July – John Milne, 72, Journalist and broadcasterAtholl Duncan http://www.heraldscotland.com/comment/obituaries/john-milne.24765068 John Milne The Herald 16 July 2014 16 July 2014 subscription 31 July – Kenny Ireland, 68, Actor and theatre directorAnthony Hayward https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/jul/31/kenny-ireland Kenny Ireland obituary The Guardian 31 July 2014 31 July 2014 25 November – Arthur Montford, 85, Sports broadcasterShan Ross http://www.scotsman.com/news/scotland/top-stories/scottish-commentator-arthur-montford-dies-at-85-1-3617246 Scottish commentator Arthur Montford dies at 85 The Scotsman 27 November 2014 29 November 2014 See also 2014 in Scotland References 2014 Category:Television in Scotland by year Category:2010s in Scottish television