The Scottish Greens said the channel being exclusively shown on BBC iPlayer from Spring 2027 - with 10 job losses - was “a backwards step” which “reflects a wider cultural crisis”.
The BBC Scotland linear channel closure “risks leaving viewers behind”, it has been claimed.
The Scottish Greens said the channel being exclusively shown on BBC iPlayer from Spring 2027 - with 10 job losses - was “a backwards step” which “reflects a wider cultural crisis”.
The SNP said the decision showed “disdain for Scottish broadcasting and our journalists.”
Tory Shadow Scots Secretary Harriet Cross urged the Scottish Government to “protect” Scottish TV jobs after the announcement.
The BBC also confirmed that Reporting Scotland: News at Seven will not move to BBC iPlayer and will cease when the linear channel closes.
Scottish Greens culture spokesperson Q Manivannan said: “This is a serious blow for Scotland’s media and my solidarity is with all of the BBC workers who will be impacted by it.
“It is a backwards step that risks leaving viewers behind, and reflects a wider cultural crisis in Scotland. Moving away from a traditional TV channel will only make BBC Scotland less accessible, particularly for older people and those who face barriers to getting online.
“Not everyone has reliable internet access, the right devices or the confidence to navigate digital services. Public broadcasting should be available to everyone, not just those who are digitally connected.
“BBC Scotland has been home to excellent Scottish programming and a launchpad for a lot of creative talent. We should be expanding access to Scottish stories and culture, not putting up new barriers.
“There remains a significant gap between the BBC’s license fee income in Scotland and BBC’s identified spend in our country.
“License fee payers here need guarantees that money raised in Scotland is spent in Scotland. A move to iPlayer cannot become cover for a smaller Scottish office, and channels like BBC Alba need support to ensure their survival.
“There are big challenges facing the BBC, and there have already been cuts which have been felt.
"The Scottish Greens are ready to support the Scottish Government in advocating for the protection of Scotland’s broadcasting sector, particularly in its conversations with Westminster about the BBC’s Charter renewal next year.
“At a time when Scotland’s media is already under pressure, we need to protect inclusive, accessible public broadcasting."
SNP MSP Alex Kerr said: “BBC chiefs in London must rethink this appalling decision which sums up the organisation’s disdain for Scottish broadcasting and our journalists.
“Those same BBC overlords in Westminster see spend in Scotland far below what the license fee raises here, they barely lifted a finger to cover the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and are considering wielding the axe on our cultural events too.
“Scotland has so much to showcase: our world class arts and music, stars at the height of their sports, the most exciting football league in Europe – these things aren’t important to bosses in Westminster, but they matter to us.
“The axing of the BBC Scotland channel serves to underline that through a fresh start with independence we would have the power to properly invest in our broadcasting industry and escape a Westminster system that has no desire to cater for people in Scotland.”
Shadow Scottish Secretary Harriet Cross said: “The closure of the BBC Scotland channel will come as a blow to staff, TV crews and production companies who all worked on the network.
“Just a few months after the closure of STV North’s news bulletins, this announcement marks further cuts to Scottish programming.
“The channel often explored subject matters from rural parts of Scotland that otherwise wouldn’t have been shown on the main channel.
“However, with fewer Scots watching linear TV, the BBC must provide best value for money that reflects the interests of viewers.
“The onus is now on the Scottish Government to actively work with the BBC to ensure Scottish TV production is protected from any further cuts.”
As part of the changes, BBC Two in Scotland will be reconfigured to enable the BBC to deliver Scotland-only programming. This will be alongside BBC One Scotland, where Scottish programming already forms an important part of the schedule including Scotland’s Home of the Year; our award-winning investigative series Disclosure; Murder Case; Inside Barlinnie; Scottish Cup Final and Hogmanay.
BBC Two in Scotland will become the new home for the broadcaster’s SPFL Championship on Friday evenings.