I hardly bother with STV nowadays as it's pathetic programming really. Tonight ITV News Review at peak time followed by a cheap and nasty panel game. It's trash TV with little or no local input. One has to wonder why anyone with satellite or cable would look near STV when they needed to tune away from the BBC.

STV have lost their way completely and should be nationalised, bought by the Scottish Government and turned into the SBC with a mix of programming from the ITV network and with decent news provison by the BBC, who they share facilities with anyway. Something like S4C would be more appropriate than the half hearted mess that STV has become.

Here are the STV OPT OUTS for the holiday period (TODAY FRIDAY 30TH - TUESDAY 3RD INCL):-

FRIDAY 30TH - 2.30-4.30pm & 12.45-5.55am - Whilst ITV goes for Poirot in the afternoon, STV opts for MIDSOMER MURDERS. Through the night ITV goes for a repeat of It'll Be Alright On The Night, The Zone, Kojak & Nightscreen, and STV abandons the night by showing the awful NIGHTSHIFT from 12.45am. KOJAK is screened again at the bizarre time of 4.55-5.55am!

Verdict: STV back to their old tricks with NIGHTSHIFT. ITV WIN.

NEW YEAR'S EVE - SATURDAY 31ST - 9.45-10.45am & 6.30-7.00pm & 10.15pm-5.55am - In the morning it's You've Been Framed on ITV & JEREMY KYLE on STV. TV Burp is shown by ITV at teatime, whilst STV opts for STV APPEAL UPDATE. Through the night ITV repeats the Bee Gees, then That Was 2011 from midnight, Film: Blues Brothers, then In Plain Sight until Nightscreen at 4.50am. STV offers A NIGHT WITH BEYONCE from 10.15pm, SCOTLAND'S GREATEST ALBUM at 11.25pm, FILM: SERENITY at 12.05am until the NIGHTSHIFT at 2.15am.

Verdict: A close call here. ITV has a reasonable mix of programmes, and at least doesn't abandon the viewers at 2.15am! STV rumbles on with BEYONCE and GREATEST ALBUM - but gives up at 2.15am! A DRAW.

NEW YEAR'S DAY - SUNDAY 1ST - 11.00pm-5.55am - ITV shows Film: Analyze This, then Rugby Union & Film: The Whole Ten Yards until Nightscreen at 3.25am. STV repeats MOVIEJUICE, shows RUGBY at 11.30pm & THAT WAS 2011 from 12.05am. Once again STV pulls the plug on any decent programming at 1.00am when the NIGHTSHIFT appears.

Verdict: ITVs mix offers better holiday viewing. ITV WIN.

HOLIDAY MONDAY - 2nd - 2.00-3.55pm & 8.00-8.30pm & 11.15pm-5.55am - ITV goes for Poirot in the afternoon and STV opts for FILM: THE COURAGEOUS HEART OF IRENA SENDLER, then in the evening ITV screens Cornwall with Caroline Quentin. STV reckons viewers will be more interested in going abroad and so shows SCOTTISH PASSPORT, and theough the night ITV runs with James Bond in Die Another Day from 11.15pm. The Zone & Nightscreen kick in from 1.40am. STV opts for PITCH BLACK - a 1999 sci-fi movie, then VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED - a 1995offering, then IN PLAIN SIGHT & JEREMY KYLE until 5.25am.

Verdict: Another close run contest. STV disappoints by not showing Caroline Quentin, but has the edge on the day with their movie offerings. STV WIN.

HOLIDAY TUESDAY - 3RD - 3.00-5.00pm & 10.35pm-5.30am - It's Lewis on ITV in the afternoon and MIDSOMER MURDERS on STV, then at night ITV shows Film: American Pie Presents Band Camp until The Zone at 12.15am. STV has a movie double bill - DAVE & THE BLUES BROTHERS until 2.50am, then CROSSING JORDAN & JEREMY KYLE all the way through till 5.30am.

Verdict: A clear and deserved win for STV today.

Conclusion: 2 wins for STV, 1 draw, 2 wins for ITV. STV put up a good show at times, but can they explain why the NIGHTSHIFT comes on at 12.45am on a Friday night (tonight) & 1.00am on Sunday night, yet doesn't appear at all on Monday or Tuesday??

Looking ahead to the latter part of next week - ETERNAL LAW & LAW AND ORDER UK are missing from the STV schedule - more info. posted on Tuesday!

Exactly - well put. If any other national broadcaster (Sky, BBC, Channel 4 etc...) carried on like STV they would be ripped to shreds on DS forums and indeed elsewhere.

Not forgetting their cramming in to the schedule of Series 1 of Downton (sorry - DOWNTOWN as the backing music trailer went) before Series 2 started, or their shoddy treatment of DOC MARTIN or other programmes.

....and so it begins (too good to be true)

STV at it again with repeats of possibly dated shows I see this week "scottish passport" not long ago was "vet school bites" and "beyond explanation" during the night...

I picked up "poirot" you mentioned and STV show "midsomer" (let me guess JOHN NETTLES again I can't see STV showing a newer one from the beginning with NEIL DUNDGEON) in its place .... It's coming across in another way STV are dodging bullets with programmes yet again .... its alright 2012 with STV wont be exciting it will just be more duller than this year ....prepare for the next instalment of "scotlands greatest" (who gives a damn really)

Bang on! I've just checked the tv guide and he's on this afternoon & Tuesday as well.

Bloody hell STV viewers are held at gunpoint with another run with a case involving the original "barnaby" ... god help STV ... shambolic scheduling at its best

STV announce - we are sorry viewers we dont know YET if and when we will show the scottish viewers the new eps with Neil Dundgeon from the start....but its alright we will keep you stuck with the John Nettles storyline....STV sure know the right way of telling people to go to ITV1 and good on them cause thats what I am sticking to - god help us all when the "opt outs" appear ... I hear PICK TV has "nothing to declare" on thats austrailan anyone want to watch that instead??


EDIT - KOJAK - I checked the sun newspaper its the last episode thats on tomorrow morning maybe this is the reason STV trying to get programme out of way now and throwing it on at "odd" times ... maybe this could have really been networked with ITV1 being honest but STV know whats best.....right?? :yawn:

drum rolls please......

The opt outs for next THURSDAY AND FRIDAY as follows

THURSDAY
ITV1 shows "eternal law" (hope title is right correct me)
STV shows "blue murder"

FRIDAY
ITV1 shows "Law/Order UK"
STV shows "love/hate"

STV is predictable already ... they import "irish" stuff as well as "austrailian" --- wonder what STV makes??? (love/hate was on before and I already knew it was "irish" when they advertise it .... let me guess on the trailer for it ... they will come out EXCLUSIVE to STV :yawn: or first time on UK TV ... really? who cares?)

I wonder where these 2 dramas will turn up (L/O UK ETERNAL LAW) on their (STV)schedule then .... no answer - possibly 3-6 month wait and stick in at odd time or run a "catch up"

Just when it appeared to be getting better - Dowton, Doc Martin, Lews - STV go back to the tartan drawing board and give us their cheap and irrelevant buy ins.

We did get ONE Neil Dudgeon Midsomer - someone forgot to push the 'opt out' button to give us "Fran & Anna Walk the West Highland Way" - but it seems it was a lone beacon in a sea of gloom.

Once again I shall be watching the listings for ITV2,3 & 4 hoping for the chance to catch "the lost" in the coming months.

Particularly annoyed about Law & Order. It ended on a cliffhanger, and once again we have to wait.

Here then are the STV OPT OUTS for the rest of this week...

WEDNESDAY 4TH - 10.45PM-5.30AM - ITV show Fim:Practical Magic, then The Zone & Nightscreen from 12.35am. STV repeat JOANNA LUMLEY, then FILM: ALEXANDER & FILM: BALTO 3 & JEREMY KYLE.

Verdict: STV comfortably WINS tonight's OPT OUTs.

THURSDAY 5TH - 9.00PM-10.00PM & 12.40AM-5.30AM - ITV shows Eternal Law, STV goes for Irish crime series LOVE/HATE, whilst during the night ITV goes for The Zone, Tonight, Nightscreen & Jeremy Kyle. STV throws in the towel and screens THE NIGHTSHIFT from 12.40am!

Verdict: Poor marks to STV for not showing Eternal Law,
and no marks for through the night.... ITV WIN.

FRIDAY 6TH - 8.00PM-8.30PM & 9.00PM-10.00PM & 12.30AM-5.30AM - ITV shows Vet School at 8.00pm, then Law & Order at 9.00pm. STV begins a new series of GRANT LAUCHLAN'S MOVIE SHOW at 8.00pm & BLUE MURDER at 9.00pm. Through the night ITV goes for Fim: Deliverance between The Zone & Nightscreen, whilst STV calls it a day by screening THE NIGHTSHIFT from 12.30am!

Verdict: STV are playing catch up with Blue Murder, and no marks for their no show of Law & Order, or their through the night offering. ITV WIN.

OPT OUTs for the weekend and into next week posted here on Friday!
Happy viewing!

I also forgot if you wanted to see CAROLINE QUENTIN'S "CORNWALL" at 8pm i think it was tuesday ... its OK STV give us "scottish passport 2012" << reviving an old show i take it??

It was too good too last anyway - what STV are showing in place is shows that they are catching up on or "importing" and one for "reviving" and one brand new "movie" show ... give that time wont be long STV will axe that also sounds like STV are doing a "copycat" of film (year) on BBC ... is there anything STV can think of that is completely different to other networks?? .... sadly no..for STV its a disgrace....I rather stick to ITV1 ... so long for gaining a viewer back glad my 3 button has dust on it!

I also caught a bit of that "beyond explanation" last night on STV I honestly thought was a new episode .... more ironic though even if its a "10 min story" they cut to the start credit and dont give you the year it was done ie 2006 .... let me guess viewers were probably getting fooled thinking they were airing NEW "10 min" stories and which clearly its not..

Just realised by reading DS article that Eternal Law showing only on ITV1 not STV - thankfully as a Sky customer I can access it but what a way to lose viewers STV - showing some elderly Irish crap instead... I can't believe they are attracting sufficient advertisers with these antics - we were promised original Scottish programming for all instances where they dropped ITV output an attitude I applaud but I've yet to see any in the 18 months since this started - so far it's been a diet of cheap Irish/Aussie imports

It's not elderly. If it's the second series of LOVE/HATE it only premiered on RTE two months ago

...You forgot they gave the scottish viewers "scotlands greatest...." as an opt out ... more of a turn off....

As for Love/Hate I only seen 5 mins off one episode and switched off when they aired it .... surprising as you say ... where is the scottish "opt outs" they meant to provide ... regarding making cheaply made programmes and imports ... it shows really how bad that station is getting or should it be gone?

Supposedly I am sure it was mentioned earlier in this thread STV admitted that there is "lack of drama" on the channel ... so in short rely on ITV for some and "import" the rest from other "English" speaking countries....and that what makes STV great? ...STV are living in a bubble and it will eventually burst (if not done so already)

EDIT: If your lucky and have Virgin/Sky or a PS3 you can avoid what STV throw at you and go to ITV1 .... unknown yet when it will be broadcast ... I personally estimate 3-6 months...

Oh yes may as well add this ... so did anyone catch "Only an Excuse?" see them ripping into STV?? "missed this programme catch up on STV./PLAYER about 10 times and going to "tiny writing" and then the "phone in competition" answer this simple question....and win £1.25... whats the famous pub in corrie (coronation st)

a) rovers return
b) queen vic
c) .... football club
d) .... football club

calls cost £1.30... that was the best bit out of "only an excuse" but still it comes across as a good point... what is this channel really all about now??

Loving the trailer for 'STV In Winter'.

Midsomer Murders (still with John Nettles), Bouquet of Barbed Wire (Trevor Eve version), Married, Single,Other, Collision etc - all advertised as "NEW TO STV".

They forgot to add

"but shown in the rest of the UK some time ago....when we stated they were 'not relevant to Scotland'. But now they are cheaper so here they are. It turns out they ARE relevant after all!"

And we get the cheap and cheerless 'Love/hate'.

You say "collision"?? jesus christ thats LONG OVERDUE .... that was shown on ITV1 when this all BEGAN... by chance "gunrush" advertised as well ... "new to STV" ....thats a joke itself .... its "new to STV since we got it off the cheap from ITV1...."

Yes it appears relevant now doesn't it?? - STV is in a sad state of affairs ... this is definately an embarassment to STV no doubt about that....am also surprised still advertising "midsomer murders" (john nettles) you say ... wow they put on ONE with NEIL DUNDGEON not long ago ... oh yes thats right the "finger slipped" happened

their ALL NEW is a load of bull really ... trying to make it as if they saved the day by delaying programmes and showing them now over the "imports" at the time .... shame on STV,,,

EDIT - here is a question so what was the REAL REASONS behind the "delayed" programmes somehow appearing NOW? if its "not relevant to Scotland" - that reason is definately INVALID ... I think STV have basically taken the mickey out of its OWN viewers to make up for what they thought was "RIGHT" and proves to me ... that they didnt want to show them in first place and to replace with cheaper programming....

Collision (which I saw on dvd) was shown 5 nights in a row on ITV. It is a good drama.

I expect STV will stretch it out over a month, instead of showing it as was intended and gaining a good audience.

I wonder if we will get the haunted house drama 'Marchlands'? Maybe in 2013?

I expect viewers will be switching off from STV.....the channel is nothing more than a farce

Even if they did get good figures for COLLISION over 5 weeks (cant see it being honest) but then again they will come out with more bull saying they were right......wrong there STV.

I wonder what the old presenters of Scottish/Grampian must think of the channel now ... must think to themselves -- "whats this channel"???

EDIT - Bidie I see you mentioned you have the DVD of "collision" am I right in saying you were originally wanting to see that on STV at the same time it was broadcast as ITV1?

Also I may add if thats the "tactic" if they are doing with "collision" over 5 weeks I wonder if they will put "gunrush" on and show over 2 weeks? ...... I have already walked from that channel its unbelievable...

I suspect many viewers have seen Collision by either buying the dvd or using Sky/Freesat etc. So if the viewing figures are low, STV will be able to use the

"we wiz right!" defence.

It was another of the odd opt out choices because the very Scottish Dougie Henshell plays the lead detective! I saw it on dvd and it is very good - particularly if you can see 1 part every evening.

But I doubt STV will show it that way, so the momentum will be lost.

Is there any more 'Underpants' to be shown, or is that finished?

Regarding Underbelly unknown yet last thing I heard was ITV Studios bought the rights to it so don't know if that will appear on ITV1 (god forbid...)

So Collision was ONE of STV's ORIGINAL OPT-OUTS at the time of the "lawsuit" and all of a sudden its over now and they are playing "detective" .... STV you aint no "sherlock".

I just loving this whole idea that the programmes opted out ORIGINALLY are "on their way" after or just about 2 years ... and the image STV is sending out to me anyway is "we saved the day" scottish viewers were not wanting what had been shown on ITV1 and clearly its backfired but this "recent" development will backfire on them also as I am sure some viewers will wonder why a "2 year old" programme is getting shown now on STV if its been already been on ITV1 via sky/cable/freesat/ps3.....

STV must take their viewers for fools anyway its nothing more than a disgrace of what it use to be, I cant even put my finger on what its "image" is meant to be (excluding ITV1 being described as a "chav" station anyway) but STV I have no idea..... feel like STV has got a "lost identity" and does not know what to do with itself .... "like a rabbit caught between the headlights" ....is what I think of the channel LOL

EDIT - may also add STV playing "catch up" all the time is not going to go well with many viewers anyway can see more viewers picking up Sky/Virgin/Freesat to avoid the problem that IS STV...

Here are the STV OPT OUTs from SATURDAY 7TH - FRIDAY 13TH INCLUSIVE:-

SATURDAY 7TH - 1.45pm-6.00pm - ITV shows Films - Catwoman & Jurassic Park. STV show THE EAGLES RETURN (Irish wildlife documentary), repeat of WALTER SMITH FOOTBALL YEARS then FILM: GOLDFINGER.
10.45pm-5.30am - ITV show Celebrity Juice, Cup football & The Zone/In Plain Sight/Nightscreen...- STV show FILM: KNOCKED UP, then NIGHTSHIFT from 1.05am.

Verdict: STVs night schedule goes AWOL and they miss the cup football, but this one's a DRAW.

SUNDAY 8TH - 9.30am-12noon - ITV shows Cup football then Dancing On Ice Live Tour 2011. STV goes for James Bond in FILM: A VIEW TO A KILL.
12.30pm-6.00pm - An afternoon of Cup football on ITV, whilst STV shows DANCING ON ICE TOUR, THE EAGLES RETURN PART 2, WALTER SMITH FOOTBALL YEARS PART 2, FILM: NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN.
10.45pm-5.30am - ITV shows Cup football highlights then Rugby Union - before The Zone/Ladette To Lady & Nightscreen air. STV show RUGBY UNION, A NIGHT WITH WILL YOUNG (rpt) then NIGHTSHIFT from 12.35am.

Verdict: Once again STV gives up during the night and loses out on the football, but airs 2 Bond films and a general mix of progs. DRAW.

MONDAY 9TH - 8.00-8.30pm - ITV shows Cornwall with Caroline Quentin, STV airs SCOTTISH PASSPORT.
10.35-11.05pm - ITV shows football, STV airs SCOTLAND TONIGHT.
11.35pm-5.30am - ITV airs Law & Order, River Monsters then The Zone/Jeremy Kyle/Nightscreen. STV offers FILMS: SYRIANA & DELIVERANCE, then IN PLAIN SIGHT & JEREMY KYLE.

Verdict: STV resurrect their travel programme from years gone by and once again miss the football. Bizarrely, they drop NIGHTSCREEN in favour of 2 films! But this one is a narrow STV WIN.

TUESDAY 10TH - 3.00pm-5.00pm - ITV repeat Lewis, STV repeat MIDSOMER MURDERS.
10.35pm-5.30am - ITV show horror film The Grudge, then The Zone/Crossing Jordan/Nightscreen. STV follow up SCOTLAND TONIGHT with another 2 FILMS - SCENT OF A WOMAN & THE WHOLE TEN YARDS, then CROSSING JORDAN, VET SCHOOL BITES & JEREMY KYLE.

Verdict: Another good through the night showing from STV, with no sign of NIGHTSHIFT. STV WIN.

WEDNESDAY 11TH - 3.00-5.00pm - ITV show Lewis, STV show a repeat of MIDSOMER MURDERS.
8.00-10.00pm - ITV show a new Midsomer Murders, STV show one too - an older one with John Nettles!
10.35pm-5.30am - ITV show Film: Payback, then The Zone & Nightscreen. STV screen SCOTLAND TONIGHT, JOANNA LUMLEY'S GREEK ODYSSEY, then 2 FILMS - VANITY FAIR & OUTLAND before JEREMY KYLE closes off the night.

Verdict: Again, STV go from the sublime to the ridiculous during the night and show no NIGHTSHIFT but 2 FILMS. But they let themselves down by paying for their previous (and current?) programme buying policy and trail the ITV network behind with a different MIDSOMER MURDERS. So, a DRAW.

THURSDAY 12TH - 3.00-5.00pm - ITV show Lewis, STV show MIDSOMER MURDERS.
9.00-10.00pm - ITV airs Eternal law, STV opt for Irish crime series LOVE/HATE.
10.35pm-5.30am - ITV runs with repeats of Jonathan Ross & Take Me Out, before The Zone?Tonight/Nightscreen/Jeremy Kyle. STV offers SCOTLAND TONIGHT then repeats of SCOTTISH PASSPORT & JONATHAN ROSS, until 12.30am when NIGHTSHIFT returns until 5.30am!

Verdict: Debatable whether ITVs offering of Eternal Law is any better than LOVE/HATE, but STV decide that viewers want NIGHTSHIFT from 12.30am tonight with no other programming. A DRAW.

FRIDAY 13TH - 3.00-5.00pm - Again, ITV show Lewis, STV MIDSOMER MURDERS.
8.00-8.30pm - ITV show Safari Vet School, STV show MOVIEJUICE.
9.00-10.00pm - ITV have Law & Order, STV BLUE MURDER PART 2.
10.35pm-5.30am - ITV show Film: True Crime, then The Zone & Nightscreen are split by Film: New York Minute. STV show 1997 movie DANTE'S PEAK until NIGHTSHIFT kicks in at 12.30am.

Verdict: No excuses for no Law & Order on STV, and they give up on night programming at 12.30am. ITV WIN.

CONCLUSION: 1 ITV WIN, 2 STV WINS, 4 DRAWS. The continuation of deserting the ITV network offerings is annoying to say the least - STV are only creating a headache for themselves and a dis service to the viewers. The emergence of actual real programming through the night Mon/Tue/Wed is to be welcomed - perhaps they reckon earlier in the week older viewers want to see actual real programmes, whilst at the weekend younger viewers will want to "interact" and text/ e mail them late at night - hence NIGHTSHIFT screens Thur/Fri/Sat/Sun.

Personally I would rather they ditch the awful NIGHTSHIFT and have a better balance of programmes through the night the whole week, rather than go daft and show double headers of films in the 1st 3 nights. However, at least we don't have to suffer NIGHTSHIFT early in the week at the moment - how long will this continue?:sleep:

Happy viewing?!

I am confused here why are STV possibly "repeating" (john nettles) MIDSOMER MURDERS at 3pm over LEWIS?? -- I think the amount of times seeing the OLD ones over and over makes you switch off.....at that time maybe they should do NEIL DUNDGEON MIDSOMER - oh wait wont happen for another 2 years I think ... STV have finally lost the plot and they are creating a burden on themselves....who the hell manages their schedule/programming needs "shot in the foot" and regarding NIGHTSHIFT ... thats a good one for the schedule we will get all the "drunks" of the night texting us in on topics.......STV just bring back the TESTCARD and be done after midnight ... thanks either that or just do your "finger slipped" prank and have us watch the THE ZONE...

Oh whilst on the subject of "opt outs" BLUE MURDER STV are showing it from 5 OF 6 (presume its eps 5 tonight) so whats that 2 weeks on THEN WHAT?? (read it "the sun" TV Guide) so much for it being from the beginning THEN and also viewers will possibly not have a clue YET AGAIN .... WELL DONE STV! ....possibly up next will be "underbelly" and that will get its FULL RUN.... wow its getting diabolical by the week and we aint even started 2012 with STV really good have we??

May as well add STV repeating Football Years Walter Smith .... is it just me or is STV doing itself a "trend" of "repeating" the SAME programmes THEY have in less of a timescale... whats next STV will cook up "the hour" bites?? - God help us...

You know what kezo I wouldn't put that past them to do that.

Is there anyone left alive who has not seen those hoary old Bond films?

BO-RING.

(and sexist. The early ones especially).

When are we getting the home grown dramas from STV?

Bidie define "home grown dramas" LOL(whoops sorry Bidie I aimed that question at you --- sorry that is for STV ) - the closest STV call "homegrown" are imports and nothing more....well you may count ONE "Fast Freddie and Me" that was supposedly one as STV put it

Regarding Bond films give it time STV will just re-run the "sir sean connery" ones....LOL

They already give "samples" on NIGHTSHITS anyway .... and plus with your recent postings of "repeated programming" of theirs is unbelievable (old and recent) --- suggestion to STV .... set your archive alight no one really wants to "live down memory lane" now ... you already wiped out Grampian TV and barely give a toss about us in that region anyway....the repeated programming you show is past its sell by date ie "beyond explanation" as well as the shows on "nightshift" thats just an embarassment for scotland....does anyone really want to see an "old interview" of say Toyah Willcox from the 80's? Come on why not go chapping her door now she is pretty well and get a more updated interview ... oh wait they cant do that...but sure as fate PROFITS from STV will HIT THE HEADLINES again this year....