ITV1 dramas, such as The Bill and Doc Martin, are being watched by lots of Scots, despite not being shown on STV - according to figures reported by the BBC.

Says an article on the BBC website, Scots have found a way of watching ITV1 programmes even if STV has opted out from showing them. Almost in passing, the article - mainly about STV chief, Rob Woodward, urging a 'modernising' of relations between ITV plc (which owns most of the ITV network) and STV - reveals that there is research suggesting that more than 100,000 people in the STV region are watching Doc Martin - which stars Martin Clunes - and that the comedy, Benidorm, and police drama serial, The Bill, are each attracting more than 130,000 viewers.

Says the article: "These figures suggest that viewers have learnt for themselves that they can choose between STV and ITV1 as they would choose between any other competing channels."

And Scots will be doing it by tuning into either Sky channel 993 and Virgin Media channel 853.

The article added: "Analysis of recent viewing figures cast doubt on claims that the majority of Scots are missing out because of STV's scheduling decisions."