The proposed changes to STV News will require the approval of the TV regulator Ofcom.

The watchdog will decide whether to approve them, throw them out or give the green light to a modified plan.

Ofcom is expected to start a public consultation in the coming weeks.

The proposal means the northern half of Scotland will no longer have a bespoke TV news service – the legacy of the former Grampian Television which STV bought almost 30 years ago.

Local politicians from across the political spectrum and the National Union of Journalists are highly concerned.

But the regulator will not just consider the reaction to the proposals. It will also consider what kind of news service from STV might be sustainable in the years ahead.

Audiences for linear TV have been falling. Advertising revenue is down. STV made a pre-tax loss.

The question looking forward could well be about whether the regulator may modify STV’s proposals – perhaps insisting on the retention of some dedicated news for the north, but not a full programme.

The Scottish government and MSPs are likely to be seen as important stakeholders in the consultation. However, broadcasting policy is a Westminster issue.

Ultimately, though, STV has the option of a powerful threat.

If it was forced to do something by the regulator which was not in its commercial interests and which could render the business unviable, it could surrender its broadcasting licence.

That scenario is highly unlikely at present, but the regulator is likely to be mindful of this possibility when they are considering imposing any loss-making legal obligations.