SMG plc

The new SMG logo based on the stv logo

Scottish Media Group plc is a Scottish media company. Originally formed as Scottish Television plc, it changed to its current name in 1996 when it acquired Caledonian Publishing, owners of Glasgow-based newspapers The Herald and Evening Times. It then went on to acquire its fellow Scottish-based ITV license holder Grampian Television in 1997. The company finally renamed itself as "SMG plc" in 2000.

Although it owns these two ITV licences, it has had a turbulent relationship with ITV plc and both Carlton and Granada, the companies that merged to create it. ITV plc owns the ITV franchises in England, Wales and the Scottish Borders and operates, or has operated, several operations using the ITV name, such as ITV Digital and the ITV Sports Channel. SMG threatened to take legal action over the use of the name 'ITV' because it is the name of the Independent Television network, which Scottish and Grampian are both part of.

SMG also owns production companies SMG Productions and Ginger TV Productions (purchased in 2000 as part of Ginger Media Group - which included the UK-wide Virgin Radio - from its owner, television and radio presenter Chris Evans), outdoor billboard advertiser Primesight, and cinema advertiser Pearl & Dean, whose rival Carlton Screen Advertising is owned by ITV plc.

Former SMG logo

SMG also had interests in two Scottish channels. Firstly Sky Scottish was a joint venture with BSkyB, which closed due to a lack of viewers. Secondly, SMG used gifted space on Digital Terrestrial Television to launch S2. This was closed as part of a deal with Carlton and Granada, which saw it replaced with ITV2. [link]

SMG formerly owned 25% of ITV's breakfast television franchise GMTV. However, following the merger of Carlton and Granada to form ITV plc, that company gained a controlling interest in GMTV, so SMG sold its share to ITV plc in 2004 as it did not 'want to have a minority interest in someone else's media business'. [link]

ITV plc now holds a 16.9% stake in the business.

On 2 March 2006, it was announced by SMG plc that Scottish Television will revert to using its former brand name of "stv", which it previously used from the start of colour broadcasting in 1969 until 30 August 1985, and which the station is still informally known as in parts of Scotland. At the same time, Grampian Television would also become known as stv, so one identity will serve the two SMG Licences. The name change took place on 30 May 2006.

The stv studios in Glasgow are currently located on Renfield Street in Cowcaddens, Glasgow, but will move to new studios in Pacific Quay in July 2006, alongside BBC Scotland and the Glasgow Science Centre. stv's Aberdeen studios are based at a new purpose-built site in the city's Tullos area.

External links

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