Musicians blast BBC Radio Scotland’s plan to cut specialist late-night shows and fear it could crush career-changing chances for Scottish artists. A cohort including Eddi Reader, Nadine Shah, Hamish Hawk, and members of Franz Ferdinand, Del Amitri, Idlewild, and others have spoken out against the proposed shifts to the late-night lineup, arguing the changes will harm opportunities for emerging talent.
BBC Scotland has announced that four programs airing from 10 p.m. to midnight from Monday to Thursday will be replaced or have their presenters moved. The new slate, branded Up Late, will feature a curated mix of familiar classics spanning from the 1970s to today, with a strong emphasis on Scottish influence and on highlighting both established stars and rising acts.
However, the open letter signed by the musicians and many others across Scotland’s creative sectors contends that the current DJs’ personally curated selections hold irreplaceable value. The letter emphasizes that a trusted presenter can introduce listeners to new artists and ignite industry attention—opening doors to promoters, funders, labels, and audiences. It argues that BBC Radio Scotland remains the sole Scottish station with a genuine potential for such career-igniting impact, and that those late-night formats are the space where fresh music can be discovered and introduced to Scottish listeners.
The letter urges BBC to pause the changes until meaningful consultation with Scotland’s music sector—including artists, industry bodies, and audiences—has occurred, echoing an earlier call from the Scottish Music Industry Association.
The Musicians’ Union’s Scottish and Northern Ireland regional organizer, Caroline Sewell, likewise urged reconsideration, calling for collaboration with the music community to protect opportunities for Scottish musicians rather than contributing to a decline in their prospects.
In response to the letter, BBC Radio Scotland defended the move as part of adapting to a competitive audio market and said it would listen to audience feedback while evolving its offering. The station maintained pride in showcasing Scotland’s breadth of musical talent across its schedule and stressed that specialist music remains a cornerstone of its policy, noting that half of total music hours are devoted to specialist programming.
BBC Scotland has previously explained that the current programs ended after a procurement process in which the existing independent production companies did not bid for the work. The letter’s organizers counter that bids were not submitted because the tender called for a distinctly different, more mainstream, easy-listening format, according to publicly available documents inviting proposals.
Up Late will be hosted by Lynne Hoggan, taking over the time slot from veteran presenters Iain Anderson, Billy Sloan, Roddy Hart, and Natasha Raskin Sharp. Roddy Hart will remain on air with two new weekend shows, and Ashley Storrie will keep her Friday evening slot, while the other three presenters will exit the schedule at the end of 2025.
The letter also notes that a playlist cannot replace the value of a seasoned radio voice who can champion rising artists, offer guidance for live gigs, and help artists craft material for posters and press materials. Billy Sloan publicly announced he would be leaving after 11 years, stating that the new format’s easy-listening focus does not align with his approach to music selection.
Folk musician James Yorkston joined others in questioning the shift’s emphasis, arguing that while easygoing pop has its place, there are already plenty of outlets for that sound. He hopes the decision to discontinue those late-night shows might be reconsidered.
BBC Scotland defended its stance by highlighting other specialist programs such as Travelling Folk and The Quay Sessions, and reiterated its commitment to championing specialist music. The broadcaster also noted ongoing recognitions like the Young Traditional Musician of the Year, Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year, Young Scottish Classical Musician of the Year, and BBC Introducing Scottish Act of the Year.
The new schedule is slated to begin in early 2026.
