[Orry Verducci]

There's two things getting a bit mixed up - DR and broadcast continuity. 

Last night wasn't a disaster, everything stayed powered and running. People left the building for a while and the only problem was continuing broadcasting. Which they did, with a combination of their existing automation, the ability of their staff to remotely access that automation, and the provision of a sister channel to be used instead. Looks like it all went to plan, textbook broadcast continuity.

If the worst had happened and the building had been badly damaged or rendered unusable then that's where disaster recovery plans kicks in. That's more than just what happens to the TV service, it's potentially everything to do with the company - from backups of data to relocating staff. 

STV, like any broadcaster will have both. Obviously I don't know what would happen to STV the channel in a DR scenario but my guess would be ITV providing the channel and one of their other studios doing the news. There'll be a range of options and scenarios planned for

You raise a valid point, but as someone who's worked with both ITV Pres and STV TX and has some knowledge of their DR arrangements, I can tell you it looks very much like they put the DR plan in to action last night.

As much as STV is dependant on ITV, they are fiercely independent and proudly STV. They really do not like broadcasting with ITV1 branding and continuity (except breakfast which is ITV's air time). Cutting output to ITV1 is a last resort saved when they have no other good options (the DR plan).

Also you say like all broadcasters they will have plans for both, but the norm these days is for a single DR plan to cover any eventuality that prohibits transmission from the normal playout facility, even if the alternative feed is going to air through the normal facility (i.e. ITV1 via Pacific Quay TX). That ranges from the minor and brief (fire alarm, power cut, major playout system crashes, etc) to actual disasters (à la the Red Bee incident).

Plans for business continuity are for continuing broadcast from the normal facility when there are technical and operational challanges, which are things like having backup (guard) feeds for live contributions, duplicated and redundant playout, emergency programming, etc.