Above the genre average

The square sausages may be out of shape soon, over breakfast at Radio Scotland.

The Sunday Post reports that bi-medial presenter Gary Robertson has been told his contract will not be renewed in August, in order to make savings. Gary's been in various roles with the station since 1999, and has also fronted much local tv output including Reporting Scotland, Newsnight Scotland and the Politics Show. Many, including Ma Hodge, would reckon he's really a member of staff rather than a freelance - so his "redundancy" looks set to be an issue with already-grumpy-unions.

The unions will also have noticed that BBC Scotland can afford Jim Naughtie to do two breakfast shifts a week, and hire Sarah Smith from Channel 4 to present Scotland 2014, on BBC2 during the referendum run-up.

The first three editions of Scotland 2014 returned viewing figures of 89,000, 53,000 and 22,000. By the Thursday show, Sarah (left) had stopped sitting on the desk for the intro.  On the same nights, the STV alternative, Scotland Tonight, was watched by 166,000, 107,000 and 89,000.

A BBC Scotland spokesperson, clearly destined for greater things, told the Herald "The initial audience figures indicate the programme performing above the genre average for that slot on BBC2, although it is not unusual for audience figures to fluctuate. As with all of our content, we monitor consolidated viewing figures and audience reaction over a sustained period."