STV has this morning announced Ofcom has approved its news programme shakeup - which involves its separate North show sharing up to 70% of content with its Central Belt counterpart.
While STV has stressed its Aberdeen studio will still be "regularly in use", along with "newsgathering resources" in Aberdeen and Inverness, the changes still come as a blow to the North-east.
Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Russell Borthwick said it was a sad day for local journalism.
“Ofcom’s decision is deeply disappointing and flies in the face of overwhelming public opinion across northern Scotland," he said.
"Our recent survey of more than 3,200 people found that 83% opposed these proposals, with fewer than one in 20 supporting them. It is difficult to understand how such clear and emphatic opposition from the communities affected has ultimately been set aside.
“Local news matters. It plays a vital role in holding institutions to account, reflecting the experiences of communities and ensuring that the north of Scotland has a strong and distinct voice in the national conversation. While STV has made changes to its original proposals, the reality remains that the north of Scotland will lose its dedicated news service and the local presentation that has been a trusted part of viewers’ lives for generations.
“STV has made a series of commitments throughout this process about the quality, quantity and local relevance of its journalism. We will be monitoring its output closely in the months and years ahead to ensure those promises are honoured in practice, not just on paper. If it becomes apparent that the service delivered falls short of the assurances given to viewers and regulators, we will ask Ofcom to intervene. The people of northern Scotland deserve nothing less.”
The changes will see STV produce two versions of its STV News at 6 programme, with a shared section making up a maximum of 70% of the content.
STV News at 6 will be presented from Glasgow "with the Aberdeen studio also regularly in use".
Ofcom has also approved the sharing of shorter bulletins at other times of the day and the removal of the four sub-regional opts.
STV's CEO, Rufus Radcliffe, said: "We're incredibly proud of STV News at 6, which remains Scotland's most watched news programme, but like all Public Service Media companies, we must respond to the significant shift in audience behaviour.
"The changes Ofcom has approved to our licences will enable us to continue serving viewers with the high-quality, trusted national and regional news they expect from us. Crucially, this will be sustainable for our business and will be accessible on air and across all the digital platforms viewers now expect.
"As a commercial Public Service Broadcaster, that receives no public funding, we are focused on the future and what we do best - trusted news and high-quality content that continues to resonate with audiences across all of Scotland."
AGCC had written to Radcliffe, Ofcom, and both the UK and Scottish governments expressing “deep concern and disappointment” at the loss of a fully dedicated north service.
Prior to the decision, the NUJ's Scottish organiser Nick McGowan-Lowe said: "Either Ofcom choose to stand by their earlier statement that these proposed changes are 'the best thing for audiences', or they listen to the 83% of viewers in the north of Scotland, the leaders of the five main political parties and STV's own journalists."
STV staff have staged strike action in opposition to the proposals and the associated risk of compulsory redundancies.