News reporting staff at STV have voted in favour of industrial action, threatening key news and football programmes over the summer.
A National Union of Journalists (NUJ) ballot found 89% of members backed striking over pay, with the union calling for a 6% rise.
Any action during summer could mean strikes during Euro 2024, and may impact coverage of a general election, should Rishi Sunak call one.
Nick McGowan-Lowe, the NUJ’s national organiser for Scotland, said: "This is an overwhelming result which should make the STV board wake up and listen to its staff.
"Our members are dedicated and talented professionals who have made STV Scotland’s most-watched peak-time TV channel for the fifth consecutive year — but they have had enough of being told they should accept below-inflation pay rises at a time when the company boasts of record revenues.
"This situation is quickly resolvable as soon as the company comes back to the table with a fair offer but the longer they refuse to do so, the angrier advertisers and audiences will get as their favourite programmes are affected."
Back-up plans in place
Last week, Chief Executive Simon Pitts announced plans to step down from his role, simultaneously unveiling ambitions to create a £140m a year Scottish production hub.
Revenues of nearly £170m were announced too, but the NUJ says the company insisted that a pay rise matching inflation was not achievable for all employees.
The broadcaster says "contingency plans" are in place, and that NUJ members make up less than half of its newsroom.
"We’re disappointed by the outcome of this vote by NUJ members," a spokeswoman said.
"Virtually all business sectors are facing sustained economic challenges.
"This is the most difficult and prolonged advertising downturn that the commercial media sector has faced and STV is not immune from it. In this climate, the offer made to NUJ members is both fair and financially responsible."