Despite the headlines, news of the BBC’s scrapping of Glasgow-based soap River City maybe shouldn’t come as too much of a shock. Not in an era when viewing figures for terrestrial broadcasters are declining, production costs are soaring, and audiences spread their loyalties (and their subscriptions) across multiple streaming platforms. But its axing will sadden many – the show still has its viewers – and scare many more. It will anger more than a few into the bargain.

Among the saddened will be Scottish playwright and screenwriter Stephen Greenhorn, River City’s creator, who envisioned it as a drama factory which would do for Scotland what TV institutions such as Coronation Street and EastEnders have done south of the Border. The project he seeded lasted two decades but the factory is now closing for good. BBC Scotland’s flagship drama is headed for the breaking yard.

Among the second group, the scared, will be the workers who plied their trade in that factory and who, in many cases, learned that trade in it. The writers, actors, directors and producers. The script editors and production managers. The camera and sound crews. The set-builders, costume designers, wardrobe assistants. The hair and make-up artists. All the people who keep a long-running soap moving and whose existence ensures the long-term health of the Scottish television........

© Herald Scotland