Scottish TV classics to broadcast on SMG website

Published Thursday 30 November 2006 at 13:35 by Liz Thomas

Take the High Road and Weir’s Way are among the programmes that will be available on a new web TV channel run by SMG Productions.

The new venture allows viewers from across the globe the opportunity to watch classic programmes from the company’s archive and, next year, new content. Entitled Scotlandontv, its on-demand schedule includes the first ever episode of Take the High Road and several episodes of Weir’s Way, visitors to the site can watch the programmes free via the latest video streaming technology. There are also six sub-channels under the banners News, Town and Country, Food and Drink, Sport, History and Culture.

Helen Alexander, head of business development at SMG Productions, said: “Scotlandontv is a really exciting experiment for us. More and more people are watching TV programming via the internet and this first step enables us to take gems from the archive and make them available to a worldwide audience. As we learn more about that global audience we will also tailor-make new content to meet their needs. We’ve plans too for a number of other channels which we’re keen to launch next year.”

Other launch programmes include documentary strands Edge of Land and Talking Pictures, literary show Off the Page and cookery series Scottish Larder and Desert Island Chefs.

SMG is using the service as a trial exploring how online broadcast works and is used by audiences.

Presenter Kate Heavenor said: “This is a fantastic idea for a web TV channel taking Scotland to the world. I’m really pleased to be the host for Scotlandontv. I’m hoping that the channel’s shows from the archive will appeal to others as much as they do to me. I’m sure it will attract viewers both in the UK and around the world.”