Member Info for hjhj

I am gloomy in the long-term. While STV commands a large local audience, the rejection of popular ITV productions for screening in Scotland won't do them any good. "Taggart" has been saved for this year by a cobbled-up co-production package with BBC Overseas and others, but long-term the programme needs a serious lift, perhaps back to the original 3x1 hour episode serial format, with some name guest stars. ITV seems bent on an aimless downward spiral; one month they chase away the traditional Sunday-night decent drama market while another month they half-heartedly try to woo back this audience. Also when ITV3 has exhausted the backlog of decent drama with endless repeats, what then?. An ITV takeover might let STVG shareholders out, but at what sort of low price?

I may be mistaken, but I think this company has good links with the Conservative Party. Could be useful in the future.

I am gloomy about any real recovery in the share price. Is ITV going to commission further episodes of Taggart on a regular annual basis? Is it a wise move by STV to drop Lewis, Midsomer Murders, etc or is this a bargaining counter for Taggart? Will fragmentation of the audience increase when the analogue signal is discontinued?