STV's chief executive has insisted he does not feel under pressure as the broadcaster prepares to launch a new radio station amid the threat of strike action by journalists.
Rufus Radcliffe said that while "change is hard", the decisions being taken were necessary to put the company on the right path.
He is facing challenges including a weak UK advertising marker and concerns over falling demand for programmes from streaming studios. STV’s share price has fallen sharply since Radcliffe joined in November last year.
The company has continued to face criticism over plans to drop the north of Scotland evening news bulletin and centralise operation in Glasgow.
The changes are part of a cost-saving initiative that will see 60 jobs cut, prompting members of the National Union of Journalists to vote for industrial action.
Ofcom, the industry regulator, has said it is minded to approve the changes, with a consultation running until February.
Meanwhile, STV Radio launches on January 7, with 15 staff hired and several high-profile presenters. Radcliffe said the radio investment and job cuts were separate issues.
“Look, change is hard,” he said. “We have made some very difficult decisions over the last few months, which we’ve thought very deeply about. They are the right decisions to put STV on the right foot forward.
“Our sector is going through extraordinary levels of change. You can be in complete denial about it and you can carry on as you are, or you can take decisive action to put STV on an exciting, sustainable footing moving forward.
“Genuinely, we are also doing the right thing for viewers. The news proposition that will come through this means that not only will we continue to deliver brilliant regional news on a linear broadcast basis, but we can genuinely accelerate our digital ambitions as well.”