Live results programming and nationwide reporting to feature across TV, radio and digital platforms
BBC Scotland coverage for the 2026 Scottish Parliament Election, promises wide-ranging, high-quality reporting across television, radio and digital services throughout the remaining campaign and results period.
A central feature of the broadcaster’s plans is a rolling daytime results programme on Friday 8 May, following the previous day’s poll. With no overnight declarations, results will instead be announced progressively throughout the day, with coverage beginning at 9.30am on BBC One Scotland.
The programme will be presented by Martin Geissler, alongside Laura Miller and Gary Robertson at Pacific Quay in Glasgow, with Rebecca Curran reporting from Holyrood. Viewers can expect live declarations, interviews and on-the-ground reporting from count centres across the country, supplemented by extended editions of Reporting Scotland presented by Laura Goodwin.
Campaign coverage has already included a major televised leaders’ debate, Debate Night Leaders Special, broadcast live from Paisley Town Hall earlier this month (12 April) featuring leaders from Scotland’s main political parties, including the Scottish Conservatives, Scottish Greens, Scottish Labour, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Scottish National Party and Reform UK.
BBC Scotland has also highlighted its commitment to Gaelic-language audiences, with extensive coverage across BBC Radio nan Gàidheal, the BBC ALBA news programme An Là, and online via BBC Naidheachdan. On results day, continuous updates will be provided on radio and digital platforms as results emerge.
Howard Simpson, Head of News and Current Affairs at BBC Scotland, said the broadcaster’s approach reflects a strong commitment to audiences across the country. “Our principal aim is to be led by the issues that matter most to our audiences,” he said, adding that the scale and reach of coverage would ensure voters are fully informed throughout the democratic process.
He added that BBC Scotland has developed a results service designed to be “fast, comprehensive and accessible”, with teams reporting from across the country to deliver analysis, context and clear explanations as the outcome unfolds.
STV, the commercial broadcaster with two Channel 3 regions covering Scotland will air a leaders debate this coming week in primetime on April 28. Election results coverage however is currently in dobut for the Glasgow based TV company with recent union news they will be striking on May 8 as part of their opposition to cutting the full half-hour STV News service from Aberdeen for the north of the country.