Save River City

Sign the petition here – Write to your MP here

The BBC announced on March 18 2025 that they are cancelling the continuing drama River City from autumn 2026. This is devastating news for the writing community in Scotland and 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.

How to get involved

• Sign the petition set up by our sister union Equity, calling on the BBC to Save River City, and add a ‘reason for signing’ comment explaining  why the show (and continuing drama in general) is so important to the writing community in Scotland.
• Write to your MP (especially if they represent a Scottish constituency) and raise your concerns about the loss of River City.
• Read the statement we issued when the BBC announced the news.
• If you’d like to get involved contact john@writersguild.org.uk
• Bookmark this page for further updates and ways to get involved.

How to get support

• If you are a member writing on River City and need support or advice please contact our casework team: casework@writersguild.org.uk

Campaign assets

Download a social media flyer here

Following a question from Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP on 19 March 2025 in the Scottish Parliament,  Scottish Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has called on the BBC to meet with Equity, Bectu and the WGGB to discuss River City. Watch the video:

Following a question from Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP Scottish Culture Secretary Angus Robertson called on the BBC to meet with Equity, BECTU and the Writers’ Guild to discuss River City. pic.twitter.com/nJNaieVMLx

— Equity (@EquityUK) March 19, 2025