STV launches local microsite network for more than 200 locations

Scottish broadcaster STV has embarked upon the next stage of its hyperlocal plans with the launch of STV Local, a network of new and information sites for more than 200 places in Scotland.

The website combines news and information, such as restaurant reviews and event listings, as well as content provided by other parts of STV's business, including links to its classified business directory launched in February.

In a similar move to Northcliffe Media's launch of its Local People sites in July, STV Local will feature user-generated content. Local community groups will be able to post updates directly to the site, while user reviews will be a prominent feature.

The broadcaster is also partnering with three Scottish universities to offer students writing work on the site.

The intern roles will involve writing reviews and news stories, as well as the opportunity to produce videos and graphics for the site.

"STV Local is a major initiative for our online team and an exciting development of STV's digital platforms. From the success of our unique localised news bulletins and our partnerships with local advertisers, we know that 'localness' is important to people across Scotland. We're pleased to now be offering an additional layer of localness, which our audiences can actively contribute to, via our online services," said Rob Woodward, chief executive of STV, in a release.

The new site is backed by a data partnership with the Local Data Company, which will provide address data on the site.

Journalism.co.uk spoke with Gordon Macmillan, head of news and current affairs at STV, at an event prior to the site's launch and asked him how the launched fitted in with STV's digital plans and what demand there was for this kind of content:

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