Writers’ Guild of Great Britain respond to River City axe

The Beeb have chopped the Glasgow saga to concentrate on ‘international selling’ dramas…

The Writers’ Guild of Great Britain (WGGB) is a trade union representing writers for TV, film, theatre, radio, books, comedy, poetry, animation and videogames. It negotiates national agreements on pay and conditions with key industry bodies, including BBC, ITV, Netflix and Pact; the Royal Court, National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company.

In response to the news today that the BBC is cancelling the continuing drama River City from autumn 2026, WGGB Chair Emma Reeves responded to the decision, one in a number of recent culls by the corporation including the demise of Doctors in Birmingham and Holby City in Elstree, which the Beeb announced earlier today.

“This is devastating news for the writing community, following so soon after the announcement of cuts to Emmerdale and Coronation Street, the axing of BBC Doctors last year and the cancellation of Holby before that.

“While we welcome a commitment from BBC Scotland to invest in new drama production, these changes will result in a significant loss of writing hours – a huge blow to our members who write for River City, to loyal audiences, and another serious erosion of continuing drama which provides a unique talent pipeline into an industry that is currently facing crisis after crisis.

“We are talking to the BBC as a matter of urgency and supporting our members. Any member who is affected by this news can contact WGGB” – WGGB Chair Emma Reeves

River City, a wholly produced production for Scotland viewers on the BBC Scotland Channel and BBC One Scotland, as well as across the UK on the iPlayer, appears to be not ‘networkable’ nor ‘appealing for international sales’, which the changes announced today appear to remedy with replacements that will be screened nationally on either BBC Three or BBC One and have potential export appeal.

The twice-weekly serial set in the fictional Sheildinch in the West End of Glasgow follows the lives of the characters who live and work in the area. The production has its own studio and exterior lot base in Dumbarton. It began in September 2002 and will run until September 2026. It has outrun network soaps Brookside, High Road and Emergency Ward 10 in longevity.

The WGGB campaigns and lobbies on behalf of writers and offers a range of benefits to its members, including free contract vetting, support and advice; events and discounts; free training; a weekly ebulletin; a pension scheme and welfare fund. Members include professional and emerging writers and membership starts at £9 per month.