This thread is hilarious. Folk realise Downton Abbey is less than a tenner on Amazon.

And Doc Martin...did anyone even watch it when it was on? Hadn't noticed it was off!

I have watched Underbelly though and found it to be pretty good, if a bit more graphic than you'd get over here.

IT DOES look like S12 or S13 Midsummer murder is getting broadcast on STV land,

caught it already thank god for my ps3

Morning Charcope.

Yes, DA is under £10 now on dvd - but at the time of its original broadcast when every newspaper, magazine, breakfast news (BBC as well as ITV) and billboard was full of chatter about this lavish costume drama, those of us under the heel of STV were reduced to watching Billy Connolly in the Antarctic - shown in 1997 - and then the new series of Taggart a show which is long past its best.

If you could not access ITV1 by other means - and many in Scotland cannot do so - you began to miss series you had previously followed.

I began this thread nearly 2 years ago after contacting STV to ask when we would get to see series 3 of Lewis. I assumed that although we were not getting it at the same time as ITV, we WOULD be shown it. After all, we saw Morse and we had enjoyed series 1 & 2 of Lewis.

Back came the reply that has haunted STV ever since (many received it) that Lewis would not be shown because it was

"not relevant to viewers in Scotland".

But apparently ancient, dropped US series were relevant (Fitz), Irish police dramas (Singlehanded) were also relevant as is the violent Australian drama 'Underbelly'. I doubt elderly fans of Midsomer Murders would happily settle down to watch such a graphic show.

Meanwhile, the "quality home made programmes" we were promised turned out to be clip shows made up of archive footage and talking heads. In other words - cheap.

Those chatting on here who defended STV's decision to make and show its own programmes (putting aside the real reason which is not patriotism but cost) usually turned out to be able to access ITV1 in their own homes......Sort of 'unmarried marriage guidance counsellors'. "Yes - it's a great idea - but of course I can still see the missing shows myself".

I enjoy the chat on here and it is interesting that the missing series are now being shown. Of course STV have no understanding of decent scheduling so they are hiding the dropped shows in the Sunday afternoon slot - usually the home of Bond films so old they have whiskers.

This way, if ratings are low, they will be able to save face and say they were right all along!

Meanwhile, 2 series which contain adult themes - Doc Martin and Downton Abbey, both rated "12" on the dvd release - are shown back to back from 3pm.....

Someone - think of the children!!!!

ITV1 have shown Downton Abbey in the afternoon over the New Year period, and have had 3pm Doc Martin repeats on weekdays before

Thanks Excel - I was unaware of those repeats in the afternoon. There is no bad language in either programme but the subject matter of DM and some of the bedroom scenes in DA are more suited to a slightly later time slot - IMO.

According to today's Sunday Mail "Sportscentre" has been given the axe

I wonder what STV will think of next?

Could it not be merged with The Hour and hosted by Michelle?

Time appears to be running out for the home grown STV programmes.

Have to laugh at what was said in posts earlier in part 1 that someone said IT WAS coming back and STV are "sailing the seven seas" as i would put it obviously STV maybe about "all talk" but as far as I see it there aint much life left in it apart from throwing money in your face daily now from 2pm!

In a sense I am glad that we are getting back to ITV programmes but personally since they have gone back I still prefer ITV1 london (or watch on ps3 anything I miss now) - I think if STV had stopped flaffling about the opt outs for ITV1's dramas etc at a later date (18 months) then I would stayed with the channel.

I was a loyal Grampian viewer and regardless of what others say I liked it for what it showed but you knew you would see the programmes no matter as it was the main ITV channel (now I switch off even the news itself is a turn off) - but I dont think STV have really thought out of the box - they thought the opt outs would kick ITV's original programming (ie instead of L/O:UK - ITV1 ---- Underbelly - STV) ok "Underbelly" appears to be a success story (somehow?) and ITV Studios bought future series - this maybe a 1-0 score to STV but what else has STV really done? - "taggart" STILL flogging the programme -- you think the "profits" they make they would be bringing out NEW programmes non-stop similar to ITV but do they?

The idea of opt outs was probably sound. Sadly, STV had neither the budget nor the programmes ready made to match those they dropped in such a cavalier manner.

I read in the early days how one 'high heedjin' had let it be known that STV had reams of archive footage which they could use to make *new* programmes - hence the "Scotland From ............ wherever" and the laughable "Greatest" series.

And of course drama took the majority - if not all - of the cuts which was a big mistake. If viewers were not aware of what they were missing (pre internet days) they might have got away with it, but with advertising for big drama series and endless column inches, people quickly realised they were missing out. And of course with modern technology many COULD still find the shows they wanted, so they switched.

Opting out of the opt out.

STV might have got away with their bold new plan 20 years ago, but sadly they failed to realise they no longer had a guaranteed audience - and those who could, slipped away.

Those who could not access the lost series were left to fume.

That I could not agree more with you

Regarding "clip" shows ie "scotland from above" I guess you could say they were reducing their carbon footprint (yeah right!) - and plus they were not exactly new - "made in scotland" was a repeat (showing during st andrews week celebration) oh wait there was something new "being victor" that was a drama - mind you they stuck it on at 7.30pm "contain adult content" and stuck it on later in the week as a repeat in case you "missed" it sound familar anyone?? - oh yes and also the US version of "cracker" what was that again? "fitz" ratings were sure OFF the scale for these programmes .. as possibly what STV wants the public to hear ... oh well seems like its backfiring on them anyway (regardless on who fought the war of ITV v STV)

Regarding "Underbelly" supposedly I got told the "uncut" version is no different to what was shown at 9pm (as far as I know - dont watch it anyway) so whats the point calling it "uncut" if its the SAME at 9pm? - surely thats false advertising?

Regarding looking elsewhere - yes people looked on ITV own site to catch up or used VM/Sky as well as games consoles to pick up what was sadly missed on STV - If STV is trying to keep the scottish public going elsewhere to catch up on what was missed they sure did not think out their strategy properly did they? - As for myself I have been using my PS3 for catch up on ITV player or anything I see on Virgin Media regarding ITV programming I always go to 853 - as with STV its the constant barrage of win win win by answering this question.... I wish generally all of the ITV network and STV stop these compeitions they are very annoying (STV is worse of all DURING programmes - ie Corrie Emmerdale or recently Dickinsons real deal!)

Being Victor was not made by Stv. It was made by Shed Media for the MTV website not for Television. Stv struck a canny deal letting Shed edit it in Stv for free in return for getting the rights to the show for free.
Much to the actors & Equity's fury they then showed each ep 3 times on Stv. As the actors got paid pennies to make it as it was an online show, Stv & Shed wangled out of paying anyone for the TV rights as they gave the programme away and no money changed hands. Therefore was not classed as a a sale, with no money for cast or writers. Class Acts.

Sure as fate the actors must have been really pissed off by STV

Oh well I guess we could say STV got a "free" show mind you in saying that funny how STV didnt bother with the repeats of rebus or that but were more happy repeating taggart (i wonder if the actors been paid for the last series or they dump that on ITV )

According to my mate who works for an actors agency, Stv insisted that they were allowed to repeat the last series of Taggart on Stv for free. Prior to last year Stv had abided by the Eqiuty ITV Agreement whereby they had to pay actors for a regional repeat. They have now ripped that up & do what they want. Stv now make their own rules. Hence the reasons Equity went nuts when they tried to employ actors for zilch:

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/sc...6908-23138444/

ridiculous STV get away with it "scot-free" - so the second repeat of new taggart STV paid sweet nothing! ... wow pretty much shows you how STV really cares about "creating" talent North of the border

Underbelly Advert: this may have already been brought up by a forum member but I heard the voiceover call it "STV's Underbelly" - technical NO its not your PROGRAMME its Network 9 Australia's programme - so correct that for a start!

Didnt last long - Saturday at 3pm with Mechelle mcmanus and the other guy - "The Hour - Live at the races" is this programme ACTUALLY LIVE for once or is this PRE-RECORDED? ... hold your breath everyone! :yawn:

While on BBC Scotland, for years there could never get the Friday night slot decent, All because there fill the slot with local ( sometimes ) Dull programmes, or and to displace other shows from earlier in the week.

I remember programmes like ""Its only tv but I like it"" being push right back to 00.30 and Tonight with Mr ross at 11.35. As there would kill off the Comedy zone and push HIGNFY to 10.35 and push the other show to either Sunday or random Tuesday.

I did heard HC WAS going to get dumped in Scotland.

Is everyone now happy with STV? or do we some proper opts back :P

If BBC scotland DID dump Holby City im sure people would either complain or just look elsewhere similar to the farce that is STV

Mind you in saying about Holby heck its available on the bbc player from day of original broadcast in england not scotland .. need to see it actually come to think about it as thats one programme I am aware of I can switch between SD/HD on PS3! (1 point to BBC - ITV 0 but getting there!)

Am I happy with STV now? - well not really as I still continue to use my PS3 for anything I miss and generally on my freeview STV is piling up dust (not much new there lol)

Just read in local newspaper "the chase" is off instead REPEAT of "cruise ship diaries" and "the hour live at the races" is also a repeat - so much for it being LIVE?

I still don't understand why all the anger is aimed at STV. Isn't ITV partly to blame? If ITV weren't asking so much from STV for their content STV would be showing more of it. Also as an English viewer i am grateful for the STV player has i can watch Underbelly on there. This Australian drama is certainly much better than some of the dreadfully bland ITV dramas.

Hi Peter.

Remember, those of us who contacted STV years ago when Lewis disappeared were told shows were dropped because they were "not relevant" to Scotland - money did not enter into it.

Had STV been honest with its viewers they would probably not have faced such scorn, but instead they insisted with this party line and the promised 'quality home grown programmes' turned out to be cheaply made clip shows or searches for the Greatest Whatever.

And drama took 90% of the cuts. No reality show, Cowell-esq nonsense etc took a hit, just established and popular drama shows like Lewis, Midsomer, Marple, Poirot, Doc Martin etc and heavily promoted stand alone dramas like the new version of Wuthering Heights and the 5 nights a week Collision.

I am glad you are enjoying what is laughingly billed as "STV'S Underbelly" - even if their only input to the series is screening it.

They have finaly had to admit that Downton Abbey was an opt out too far and hopefully the missing series will now begin to appear on our screens.

I really think if STV had been upfront abour their cost argument with ITV from day one, they would have had a lot of support and at least understanding from their audience. Instead we were told repeatedly that "costume drama does not do well in Scotland" and that shows like Lewis were "not relevant to Scotland" but the ancient "Fitz" from the USA apparently was.

Their PR department should be closed.

The only thing STV were showing during opt outs were cheap knock offs and nothing more - Cruise Ship Diaries made by National Geographic (on again at 5pm for some strange reason...)

Underbelly is NOT an STV production its belongs to Network 9 Australia (so its not "STV's Underbelly") however "Taggart" is and thats well bombed generally speaking but STV are flogging it to someone else now (guess Alibi thought to jump ship NOW as ship was sinking)

Being Victor - was an MTV online production which none of the actors been paid by STV when broadcast

More ironic is that they are showing a programme meant to be Live from Perth called "the hour LIVE at the races" and which I found out is a Repeated programme from either earlier this year or last year and is most definately NOT Live - so they need to correct that also ... I could go on but hell I prefer watching ITV Player to STV on PS3

If STV had said they were having "cash" problems I would be more on their side but what they done was wrong and they took it to themselves to not show "dramas" at original time of broadcasting what is more weird is how they are showing "doc martin" now yet why could they not show it back then? - it raises questions more than answers - and one answer is that STV can show it now on the "cheap" and which they are gaining more profit (yes I believe ITV too are part to blame but STV don't listen to what viewers want(ed) they pleased themselves and it left viewers (majority) up in Scotland furious) - so thats why STV is creating dust on my freeview box

I take it will be 5th September when will get to see what Deal has really been done between the two?

I believe we will get more ITV stuff but at the some time there will be a proper agreement for opts opts.

We did not always get the ITV dramas at the same time as the rest of the UK, but the point was, we DID get them eventually.

Since there is a backlog already of Midsomer and Marple, I expect we STV'ers will enjoy some excellent drama in the autumn/winter season.

All promoted with absolutely no irony by those who denied us them in the first place....

Oh the irony....yeah funny how they actually do the ad for "downton" that IS laughable!

I would not call a backlog Bidie I would more or less call it getting it off ITV on the cheap - totally understand when you mention getting them EVENTUALLY however between 12-18 months I very much doubt ANYONE in Scotland had to wait that LONG on anything missed back in the 80-90's I think STV are just taking the p££s generally and its coming back in time and biting them mind you their PR is just bad - they must need Cheryl Cole's PR company to "boost" them up it fails but obviously THEY themselves are blind that they aint doing a good job - strikes me STILL they are running a phone in comp from 2pm til 9.30pm to win money (use to be from 7-9.30pm) so OBVIOUSLY stv aint getting the numbers for the comp and decided to start earlier

If anything I rather go back to the way things were in the past - as you KNEW if and when what programmes missed in your area but its the organisation of the schedule with STV is they think its more suited to stick on adult content before watershed ie "doc martin" "downton abbey" - ok I wouldnt call scenes "disturbing" or "graphic" but if a programme is aimed mostly at adults surely you stick it on AFTER 9PM not before?? - just seems to me STV have really no idea on how to run the channel or schedule ie look at how they advertise "underbelly" (advertise it during family programmes ie "emmerdale" fair enough they put up warning on it - but at same time it looks like its done on purpose to attract a younger audience or has no one realised that? - oh wait no..)