STV Local to be rolled into ‘new city services’

A NETWORK of local websites operated by STV are to be rolled into a new proposition, described by the broadcaster as “brand new local digital services providing all the latest news, events, offers, pictures and videos for consumers in Scotland’s largest cities”.

Users of STV Local are being asked to await the unveiling of the proposition, which “will be available as apps, free to download on iOS and Android devices, and will be accompanied by desktop and mobile web sites for Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee”.

A media release continues: “STV’s current portfolio of local sites will be rolled into the new city services, which will be available later this summer.

“The next generation of digital services reinforces STV’s commitment to serving local audiences, including the News at Six – which broadcasts in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh, with a bulletin for the Dundee and Tayside area – and the launch in 2014 of two new city TV channels for Glasgow and Edinburgh.”

David Milne, head of digital publishing at STV, is quoted, as saying: “STV has continually evolved its digital offering and works hard to develop products that best meet the needs of our online audiences.

“Two-thirds of STV’s online traffic now comes through mobile devices and in the last 12 months alone STV mobile traffic has increased by 20 per cent. With six in ten Scots now owning a smart phone, compared to four in ten in 2010, it is clear that the way people consume content is changing. That is why we are committed to a mobile first approach, while also making the services available as a new-look desktop version.

“The new city services are designed to offer consumers a vibrant, exciting and fun way to engage with everything happening in Scotland’s largest cities and more details will be revealed ahead of launch later this summer.”

It’s understood all STV Local staff will be involved in delivering the new service.

Pic: Graeme Hunter.