New Scottish Channel STV2 Sets Launch Schedule

STV is launching the new STV2 channel in Scotland on April 24, with a debut lineup that includes the long-running Irish soap Fair City.

STV has acquired 400 episodes of Fair City for STV2. Ireland’s RTÉ is also producing an additional 30-minute doc on “the story so far,” which will be aired first to familiarize Scottish viewers with key characters and story lines.

The new channel will also broadcast a range of acquisitions along with acclaimed movies, U.K. and foreign-language drama and crime documentaries. This includes the Finnish drama Black Widow and British series Secret State. Viewers will also have the opportunity to watch the classic crime drama Taggart.

STV2 will broadcast the first integrated Scottish, U.K. and international news program, STV News Tonight. Anchored by Halla Mohieddeen live from Glasgow, the half-hour show will air weeknights at 7 p.m. on STV2 and offer a comprehensive news service featuring world news from a Scottish perspective.

The popular weekday magazine show Live at Five will expand its reach on STV2 with outside broadcasts from across Scotland. The family-friendly program introduces special guests, cooking from local chefs, live performances by local bands and features reflecting what’s going on across Scotland.

The channel will create a platform for local sport as well as provide the latest from the football world each weeknight and weekends throughout the football season on Peter and Roughie’s Football Show.

STV2 will broadcast 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It will reach approximately 85 percent of viewers in STV’s transmission area. In addition to Freeview, access will be available online and via Sky and Virgin. The service will also be available online via the STV Player.

Jane Gogan, RTÉ’s head of drama, said: “Fair City has been Ireland’s favorite soap for many years and we are delighted to have the chance to share this series with STV as part of their new schedule for STV2. The series has continued to be one of RTÉ’s best performing prime-time shows since its launch in 1989 with a cast of some of Ireland’s best professional actors. Written by an army of highly talented serial drama writers, Fair City is led by a team who love soap and this shows in our stories. Fair City is an urban community soap reflecting a modern world with stories of our time—funny, tragic and poignant…the stuff of great soaps.”

Elizabeth Partyka, STV’s deputy director of channels, said: “We’re really excited to launch STV2 with a fantastic acquisition like Fair City. STV2 will feature a great mix of entertainment, news, drama and local events and Fair City will be a key part of this distinct and diverse schedule. Viewers in Scotland will now have a chance to get acquainted with a whole new set of compelling characters and gripping story lines and I think the soap will be a popular addition to our new schedule.”

Bobby Hain, director of channels at STV, added: “STV2 is the new channel for Scotland designed to reflect life across the country. The channel will provide a unique opportunity to broadcast content that isn’t available for viewers anywhere else, including in-depth coverage of local sport and live events and exciting acquisitions including soap and drama, alongside an enhanced news service with local, U.K. and international stories.”