Weekly Peak Time Slot for STV's The Hour

STV's magazine show, The Hour, is to move from being a daily daytime programme to a weekly peak time one, broadcasting at 8pm.

The move takes place in the Autumn and follows the programme's rise from, initially, a half-hour daytime programme.

The Hour currently broadcasts from 5pm. It's not yet known what day the new programme – also lasting an hour – will be broadcast.

Last month, one half of the presenting duo, Stephen Jardine, left to help set up a food and drink PR company with a former BBC Reporting Scotland editor, Jim Duff – its official unveiling taking place this evening in Edinburgh.

Since then, Jardine's erstwhile co-presenter, Michelle McManus, has been joined by various guest presenters.

A STV spokesperson said that the presenting team for the new weekly show is currently being negotiated.

A STV statement quotes Elizabeth Partyka, Deputy Director of Channels, at STV, as saying: “The Hour has gone from strength to strength since its launch two years ago, and has established itself as one of the most popular daytime television shows in Scotland. Moving to a weekly primetime slot is a fantastic achievement for the show and a natural evolution of The Hour brand, and I am thrilled about the opportunity to bring the show to a new and broader audience.” 

It continues: “Early next year, [we] will launch a new spin-off feature series in an extension of The Hour brand, including a brand new travel series.”