UKTV eyes up Taggart

The UKTV network is considering snapping up Taggart should ITV decide to axe the long-running Scottish detective series.

The UKTV network is seriously considering snapping up Taggart if ITV decide to axe the Scottish detective series. The network would air the programme on its crime channel Alibi. The future of the STV production has been uncertain for some time as ITV have yet to re-commission the series and declining ratings has put its future in doubt on the terrestrial channel. A further problem for the future of Taggart is the current dispute between STV, the Scottish broadcaster, and ITV over the costs of programmes. The dispute has seen STV axe most of ITV dramas from its schedules and there are fears ITV could respond by axing Taggart.

If the Glasgow based series was axed it would be a major blow for Scottish television as the series is arguably its most famous export at the moment. It would also be a big blow for STV as it’s unlikely they could finance the series on their own. However, pairing up with another company, such as UKTV, would probably allow them to continue producing new episodes. STV has apparently already approached UKTV over the prospect of such a move but ITV aren’t likely to make any decision on Taggart’s future until October.

If the programme did move to the UKTV network it wouldn’t be the first time that new programming was commissioned. Although the network is primarily known for repeating programmes it has shown original ones before – such as Red Dwarf: Back to Earth. The new episodes aired over Easter and was a huge ratings hit for the broadcaster. In light of that’s its hardly surprising UKTV is looking to follow up with more original programming.

Taggart was launched by STV, for the then entirely regional ITV network, in 1983. It starred the late Mark McManus in the title role of Jim Taggart. His final episodes aired in early 1995, having passed away the previous year.